USCG Marine Environmental Protection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required content of a Garbage Management Plan under MARPOL Annex V?
- A list of approved dumping sites only
- Written procedures for minimizing, collecting, storing, and disposing of garbage aboard the vessel (Correct answer)
- A record of all garbage weighed
- Insurance coverage for spills
Correct answer: Written procedures for minimizing, collecting, storing, and disposing of garbage aboard the vessel
A Garbage Management Plan must describe procedures for minimizing, collecting, storing, processing, and disposing of garbage, and must assign responsibility for the plan's implementation.
Question 2: What must a vessel do with oily bilge water when in a 'Special Area' under MARPOL?
- Discharge it at 15 ppm or below
- Retain it on board for discharge at a port reception facility — no discharge permitted (Correct answer)
- Dilute it with seawater before discharge
- Discharge only at night
Correct answer: Retain it on board for discharge at a port reception facility — no discharge permitted
In MARPOL Special Areas such as the Antarctic, Baltic, Mediterranean, and others, no discharge of oily bilge water is permitted — all oily residues must be retained on board.
Question 3: Which regulation requires vessels over 400 GT to have an approved Sewage Treatment Plant or holding tank?
- MARPOL Annex I
- MARPOL Annex IV (Correct answer)
- MARPOL Annex III
- MARPOL Annex VI
Correct answer: MARPOL Annex IV
MARPOL Annex IV addresses prevention of pollution by sewage from ships, requiring treatment systems or holding tanks on vessels over 400 GT or certified for more than 15 persons.
Question 4: What is the penalty for falsifying an Oil Record Book in U.S. waters?
- A warning letter only
- Criminal fines and imprisonment under APPS (Correct answer)
- Loss of license only
- An administrative fine of $500
Correct answer: Criminal fines and imprisonment under APPS
Under APPS, knowingly falsifying an Oil Record Book is a felony that can result in criminal prosecution, substantial fines, and imprisonment for responsible officers.
Question 5: What does the term 'sheen' indicate in the context of an oil spill?
- A type of high-visibility safety vest
- A visible film of oil on the water surface, indicating a reportable discharge (Correct answer)
- A measurement of oil viscosity
- A cleared oil slick
Correct answer: A visible film of oil on the water surface, indicating a reportable discharge
A sheen is a visible oily film on the water surface and under OPA 90 and the Clean Water Act, any discharge causing a sheen must be reported to the National Response Center.
Question 6: The National Response Center (NRC) must be notified within what timeframe following an oil spill?
- Within 72 hours
- As soon as possible after discovery (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours
- Within 48 hours
Correct answer: As soon as possible after discovery
OPA 90 and the Clean Water Act require the responsible party to notify the NRC (1-800-424-8802) as soon as possible — there is no grace period — upon discovery of a discharge.
USCG Marine Environmental Protection 2
What is the required content of a Garbage Management Plan under MARPOL Annex V?