Marine Environmental Protection Flashcards

Under MARPOL Annex I, how far from the nearest land must a vessel be to legally discharge oily bilge water (less than 15 ppm) in U.S. waters?

Answer: 12 nautical miles

MARPOL Annex I and U.S. law require vessels to be at least 12 nautical miles from the nearest land before discharging treated bilge water containing less than 15 ppm oil.

What is the primary purpose of the Oil Record Book?

Answer: To document all oil transfer and discharge operations for USCG inspection

The Oil Record Book is a legal document required by MARPOL and U.S. law to record all oil transfers, bilge discharges, and oily water separator operations, subject to USCG inspection.

What is the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) the U.S. implementing legislation for?

Answer: MARPOL — the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) is the U.S. federal law that implements MARPOL, making violations of its discharge standards punishable under U.S. law.

Under MARPOL Annex V, which garbage category is prohibited from being discharged overboard anywhere?

Answer: Plastics

MARPOL Annex V prohibits the discharge of all plastics anywhere at sea; plastics persist in the marine environment and cause severe harm to marine life.

What is a 'Vessel Response Plan' (VRP) required to address?

Answer: Procedures for responding to a worst-case oil spill scenario

A Vessel Response Plan must include procedures for responding to a worst-case oil discharge scenario, identifying response resources, contacts, and cleanup procedures required by OPA 90.

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) was primarily enacted in response to which disaster?

Answer: The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska

OPA 90 was enacted following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, which released 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound and caused massive environmental damage.