Tanker Familiarization Pollution Prevention and MARPOL 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?

Accepted 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.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Procedures for reporting an oil pollution incident to coastal and flag state authorities.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Internal transfer of oil cargo during the voyage.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

15 parts per million (ppm)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The vessel must have an approved Vessel Response Plan (VRP) and a designated Qualified Individual (QI).

Answer

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.

Tanker Familiarization Practice Test

Tanker Familiarization Practice Test

Tanker Familiarization Pollution Prevention and MARPOL Questions and Answers