Tanker Familiarization Pollution Prevention and MARPOL Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An oil tanker is en route, outside a MARPOL designated 'Special Area' and more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land. Under which condition is the discharge of cargo residues into the sea permitted according to MARPOL Annex I?
- The instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content is less than 100 liters per nautical mile.
- The total quantity of oil discharged does not exceed 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part. (Correct answer)
- The Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) is offline for maintenance, but manual calculations are being performed.
- The discharge is performed at night to minimize visual impact.
Correct answer: The total quantity of oil discharged does not exceed 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part.
MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 34, specifies several strict conditions for the operational discharge of oil from cargo areas of an oil tanker. One of these critical limits is that for tankers delivered after December 31, 1979, the total quantity of oil discharged must not exceed 1/30,000 of the total cargo carried. The instantaneous discharge rate must not exceed 30 liters per nautical mile, and the tanker must have an operational ODME and slop tank arrangement.
Question 2: A tanker is required to have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). Which of the following is a mandatory component of the SOPEP?
- A detailed crew training schedule for the entire year.
- The commercial contact information for the cargo owner.
- Procedures for reporting an oil pollution incident to coastal and flag state authorities. (Correct answer)
- A copy of the ship's stability booklet.
Correct answer: Procedures for reporting an oil pollution incident to coastal and flag state authorities.
The primary purpose of the SOPEP is to provide guidance to the Master and officers on the steps to be taken when an oil pollution incident has occurred or is likely to occur. A key mandatory part of this plan is the procedure for making reports to the relevant authorities, such as the nearest coastal state and the ship's own flag administration, as required by MARPOL.
Question 3: Which of the following operations would require an entry in the Oil Record Book (ORB) Part II?
- Bunkering of fuel oil.
- Discharge of bilge water from the engine room.
- Internal transfer of oil cargo during the voyage. (Correct answer)
- Disposal of oily rags from the engine room.
Correct answer: Internal transfer of oil cargo during the voyage.
The Oil Record Book Part II is specifically for recording cargo and ballast operations on oil tankers. An internal transfer of oil cargo from one cargo tank to another during the voyage is a specific operation listed under MARPOL Annex I that must be recorded in the ORB Part II. Bunkering and machinery space bilge operations are recorded in ORB Part I.
Question 4: While operating within a 'Special Area' as defined by MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum permissible oil content in machinery space bilge water that can be discharged overboard?
- 100 parts per million (ppm)
- 50 parts per million (ppm)
- Zero, all bilge water must be retained on board.
- 15 parts per million (ppm) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 15 parts per million (ppm)
Within MARPOL-designated Special Areas, the regulations for discharging oily water are much stricter. For machinery space bilges on ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, the effluent must be processed through an approved oil filtering equipment, and the oil content must not exceed 15 ppm. Additionally, the ship must be en route, and the discharge must not originate from cargo pump room bilges.
Question 5: A tanker is preparing for a voyage to the United States. In addition to MARPOL requirements, the vessel must comply with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90). What is a key requirement under OPA '90 for tankers?
- The vessel must be painted a specific color for high visibility.
- The vessel must have an approved Vessel Response Plan (VRP) and a designated Qualified Individual (QI). (Correct answer)
- The vessel must carry a MARPOL-approved incinerator for all waste.
- The vessel must submit a daily fuel consumption report to the US Coast Guard.
Correct answer: The vessel must have an approved Vessel Response Plan (VRP) and a designated Qualified Individual (QI).
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) mandates that all tankers operating in U.S. waters must have a comprehensive Vessel Response Plan (VRP). This plan must detail response strategies for various spill scenarios, including a worst-case discharge. A critical component of the VRP is the designation of a Qualified Individual (QI) who has full authority to implement the plan and liaise with authorities.
Question 6: During a de-ballasting operation from a cargo tank that previously held crude oil, the Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) fails. What is the correct immediate action according to MARPOL regulations?
- Continue the discharge using manual calculations and visual observation of the sheen.
- Immediately stop the discharge operation. (Correct answer)
- Bypass the ODME and complete the discharge as quickly as possible.
- Reduce the discharge rate by 50% and log the failure.
Correct answer: Immediately stop the discharge operation.
The ODME is a critical piece of mandatory pollution prevention equipment. MARPOL Annex I states that any failure of the oil discharge monitoring and control system must be noted in the Oil Record Book Part II, and the discharge operation must be stopped immediately. The discharge cannot resume until the equipment is fully operational and capable of monitoring the effluent correctly.
Tanker Familiarization Pollution Prevention and MARPOL Questions and Answers
An oil tanker is en route, outside a MARPOL designated 'Special Area' and more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.
Under which condition is the discharge of cargo residues into the sea permitted according to MARPOL Annex I?