VTS Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Standards 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 33 CFR 155, what must a tank vessel of 250 gross tons or more have to legally operate in U.S. waters?
- A certified chief engineer onboard
- An approved oil transfer procedure and vessel response plan (Correct answer)
- A continuously manned radar station
- A minimum crew of 20
Correct answer: An approved oil transfer procedure and vessel response plan
Under 33 CFR 155, qualifying tank vessels must have approved oil transfer procedures and a vessel response plan to operate in U.S. waters.
Question 2: What action should a VTS operator take when a vessel reports it cannot comply with a mandatory reporting requirement due to equipment failure?
- Suspend the vessel's transit immediately
- Log the report, advise the vessel on alternative compliance methods, and notify the appropriate authority (Correct answer)
- Issue an automatic fine via port authority
- Redirect the vessel to anchorage without further inquiry
Correct answer: Log the report, advise the vessel on alternative compliance methods, and notify the appropriate authority
VTS operators should document the failure, help the vessel find alternative compliance options, and report to the appropriate authority for follow-up.
Question 3: The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments entered into force in:
- 2004
- 2010
- 2017 (Correct answer)
- 2020
Correct answer: 2017
The BWM Convention was adopted in 2004 but did not enter into force until September 8, 2017.
Question 4: A vessel in a U.S. port requests permission to discharge treated sewage. Which condition must be met?
- The vessel must be more than 3 nautical miles from shore
- The vessel must use a certified marine sanitation device and comply with state and federal standards (Correct answer)
- Discharge is always prohibited in port regardless of treatment
- Only passenger vessels are permitted to discharge treated sewage
Correct answer: The vessel must use a certified marine sanitation device and comply with state and federal standards
Vessels may discharge treated sewage using a Type II or III certified Marine Sanitation Device while complying with applicable state and federal standards.
Question 5: Which document must be carried onboard to record all oil transfers, bilge pumping, and ballast operations for tankers?
- Cargo manifest
- Oil Record Book (Correct answer)
- Voyage data recorder log
- Deck log
Correct answer: Oil Record Book
The Oil Record Book is the required document aboard tankers for recording all oil-related operations including transfers, ballasting, and bilge discharges.
Question 6: Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), what restriction may apply to vessels transiting certain waters?
- Speed restrictions to protect listed species such as the North Atlantic right whale (Correct answer)
- Mandatory AIS broadcasts every 30 seconds
- Prohibition on all nighttime navigation
- Required use of electric propulsion systems
Correct answer: Speed restrictions to protect listed species such as the North Atlantic right whale
The ESA enables mandatory vessel speed restrictions in designated areas to reduce strike risk to protected species like the North Atlantic right whale.
Question 7: In the context of VTS and environmental compliance, what is an Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) responsible for?
- Issuing pollution fines to vessels
- Coordinating maritime security and response planning among stakeholders in a port area (Correct answer)
- Setting annual emission targets for port facilities
- Approving vessel departure windows
Correct answer: Coordinating maritime security and response planning among stakeholders in a port area
AMSCs coordinate maritime security planning and response activities among government agencies, port authorities, and industry stakeholders in a given port area.
VTS Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Standards 4
Under 33 CFR 155, what must a tank vessel of 250 gross tons or more have to legally operate in U.S. waters?