Sample placard targeting crew and shipboard operations
Discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited except provided otherwise
The MARPOL Convention and domestic law prohibit the discharge of most garbage from ships.
Only the following garbage types are allowed to be discharged and under the specified
conditions.
Outside special areas designated under MARPOL
Annex V and Arctic waters:
-
Comminuted or ground food wastes (capable of passing through a screen with
openings no larger than 25 mm) may be discharged not less than 3 nm from the
nearest land.
-
Other food wastes may be discharged not less than 12 nm from the nearest land.
-
Cargo residues classified as not harmful to the marine environment may be
discharged not less than 12 nm from the nearest land.
-
Cleaning agents or additives in cargo hold, deck and external surfaces washing
water may be discharged only if they are not harmful to the marine environment.
-
With the exception of discharging cleaning agents or additives that are not
harmful to the marine environment and are contained in washing water, the ship
must be en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land.
Within special areas designated under MARPOL
Annex V and Arctic waters
-
More stringent discharge requirements apply for the discharges of food wastes and
cargo residues; AND
-
Consult MARPOL Annex V, chapter 5 of part II-A of the Polar Code
and the shipboard garbage management plan for details.
For all areas of the sea, ships carrying specialized cargoes such as live animals or
solid bulk cargoes should consult Annex V and the associated Guidelines for the
implementation of Annex V.
Discharge of any type of garbage must be entered in the Garbage Record Book Violation of
these requirements may result in penalties.
Sample placard targeting fixed or floating platforms and ships operating within 500 m
of such platforms
Discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited except provided otherwise
The MARPOL Convention and domestic law prohibit the discharge of all garbage into the sea
from fixed or floating platforms and from all other ships when alongside or within 500
metres of such platforms.
Exception: Comminuted or ground food wastes may be discharge from fixed or floating
platforms located more than 12 miles from the nearest land and from all other ships when
alongside or within 500 metres of such platforms. Comminuted or ground food wastes must
be capable of passing through a screen no larger than 25 millimetres.
Discharge of any type of garbage must be entered in the Garbage Record Book Violation of
these requirements may result in penalties.
Sample placard targeting passengers
Discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited except provided otherwise
The MARPOL Convention and domestic law generally prohibit the discharge of most forms of
garbage from ships into the sea.
Violation of these requirements may result in penalties.
All garbage is to be retained on board and placed in the bins provided.