Tanker Familiarization Environmental Regulations and Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an Inert Gas System (IGS) on a tanker from an environmental and safety perspective?
- To cool cargo tanks during loading
- To prevent explosive atmospheres and reduce vapor emissions (Correct answer)
- To wash cargo tanks with seawater
- To neutralize toxic NLS cargoes
Correct answer: To prevent explosive atmospheres and reduce vapor emissions
An IGS maintains oxygen levels below the flammable range in cargo tanks, preventing explosions and reducing hydrocarbon vapor releases to the atmosphere.
Question 2: Cargo residue from a Category X noxious liquid substance (NLS) must be handled how before a tanker can load a new cargo?
- Discharged at sea if diluted to 1 ppm
- Discharged only to a port reception facility before washing (Correct answer)
- Washed overboard while underway at 6+ knots
- Retained onboard and declared at next port
Correct answer: Discharged only to a port reception facility before washing
Category X NLS cargo residues are the most hazardous and must be discharged to a port reception facility before any tank washing takes place.
Question 3: Which international convention establishes the framework for compensating victims of oil pollution damage caused by tankers?
- MARPOL 73/78
- The Civil Liability Convention (CLC) (Correct answer)
- SOLAS 1974
- The Bunker Convention
Correct answer: The Civil Liability Convention (CLC)
The Civil Liability Convention (CLC) establishes strict liability for shipowners and provides compensation for oil pollution damage caused by tankers.
Question 4: Under OPA 90, which party bears strict liability for oil spill cleanup costs and damages when a vessel discharges oil into U.S. navigable waters?
- The port authority where the vessel last docked
- The responsible party, typically the vessel owner or operator (Correct answer)
- The cargo owner exclusively
- The insurance underwriter
Correct answer: The responsible party, typically the vessel owner or operator
OPA 90 imposes strict liability on the 'responsible party' — usually the vessel owner or operator — for removal costs and damages from oil discharges.
Question 5: What is the significance of the 'precautionary area' designation in ballast water management for tankers entering U.S. waters?
- It allows unrestricted ballast exchange in coastal zones
- Ballast water must be exchanged or treated before entering U.S. waters to prevent invasive species (Correct answer)
- It exempts tankers from EPA discharge permits
- It requires ballast tanks to be emptied completely at sea
Correct answer: Ballast water must be exchanged or treated before entering U.S. waters to prevent invasive species
U.S. regulations require tankers to conduct open-ocean ballast water exchange or use approved treatment systems to prevent invasive species from being introduced into U.S. waters.
Question 6: A Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) is required by MARPOL for which vessels?
- All vessels over 100 GT
- Oil tankers of 150 GT and above, and all other ships of 400 GT and above (Correct answer)
- Only vessels carrying crude oil
- Vessels over 5,000 DWT in special areas only
Correct answer: Oil tankers of 150 GT and above, and all other ships of 400 GT and above
MARPOL Regulation 37 requires a SOPEP for oil tankers of 150 GT and above and all other ships of 400 GT and above.
Question 7: When a tanker violates MARPOL discharge regulations in U.S. waters, which law gives the U.S. Coast Guard authority to impose civil penalties?
- The Ports and Waterways Safety Act
- Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) (Correct answer)
- The Rivers and Harbors Act
- The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
Correct answer: Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS)
APPS implements MARPOL in U.S. law and grants the USCG authority to impose civil and criminal penalties for violations of MARPOL discharge standards.
Tanker Familiarization Environmental Regulations and Compliance 3
What is the primary purpose of an Inert Gas System (IGS) on a tanker from an environmental and safety perspective?