STCW Marine Environmental Protection & Compliance 2 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum permitted oil content of overboard discharges in special areas?
- 15 ppm
- 0 ppm (no discharge permitted) (Correct answer)
- 100 ppm
- 30 ppm
Correct answer: 0 ppm (no discharge permitted)
In MARPOL Annex I special areas, no discharge of oily water is permitted whatsoeverâthe limit is effectively zero.
Question 2: Which document must be maintained on all ships of 400 GT and above to record oily waste operations?
- Garbage Management Plan
- Oil Record Book Part I (Correct answer)
- Cargo Record Book
- Ballast Water Record Book
Correct answer: Oil Record Book Part I
The Oil Record Book Part I (machinery space operations) is mandatory on ships 400 GT and above under MARPOL Annex I.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate?
- Certifies crew competency in oil spill response
- Certifies the ship meets MARPOL Annex I construction and equipment requirements (Correct answer)
- Authorizes discharge of oily ballast in port
- Confirms the ship's P&I club coverage for pollution
Correct answer: Certifies the ship meets MARPOL Annex I construction and equipment requirements
The IOPP Certificate confirms that the vessel's structure, equipment, and procedures comply with MARPOL Annex I requirements.
Question 4: A vessel is transiting a MARPOL Annex V special area. Which of the following may be discharged overboard?
- Food waste that has been comminuted
- Plastic packaging used for provisions
- Synthetic fishing nets
- Nothingâall garbage discharge is prohibited in special areas (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Nothingâall garbage discharge is prohibited in special areas
In MARPOL Annex V special areas, discharge of all garbage is prohibited except for food waste under specific conditions in some areas, but the blanket rule for most special areas is zero discharge.
Question 5: What does the term 'noxious liquid substance' (NLS) refer to under MARPOL Annex II?
- Fuel oil carried as cargo
- Chemicals carried in bulk that can harm the marine environment (Correct answer)
- Sewage from passenger vessels
- Exhaust scrubber washwater
Correct answer: Chemicals carried in bulk that can harm the marine environment
MARPOL Annex II regulates the transport and discharge of noxious liquid substances, which are bulk liquid chemicals categorized by hazard to the marine environment.
Question 6: The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is required under which MARPOL annex?
- Annex I
- Annex IV
- Annex VI (Correct answer)
- Annex III
Correct answer: Annex VI
MARPOL Annex VI addresses air pollution from ships, including requirements for the SEEMP to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 7: If a crew member observes an illegal overboard discharge by a shipmate, what is their STCW obligation?
- Ignore it to avoid conflict with colleagues
- Report it only when the ship reaches port
- Report it immediately to the officer of the watch or master (Correct answer)
- Document it in the personal log and take no further action
Correct answer: Report it immediately to the officer of the watch or master
STCW requires seafarers to report observed violations of environmental regulations immediately to the officer of the watch or master for corrective action.
STCW Marine Environmental Protection & Compliance 2
Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum permitted oil content of overboard discharges in special areas?