28.1 General
28.1.1 A vessel complying with the Code should meet international,
national, regional and local requirements for the prevention of marine pollution
which are applicable to the area in which the vessel is operating.
28.1.2 Responsibility for the vessel to be properly equipped and
maintained to meet the prevailing requirements rests with the owner/managing agent.
28.1.3 It is also the responsibility of the owner/managing agent to
ensure that a charterer of a vessel receives up-to-date and adequate information on
prevention of pollution in the area in which the charterer intends to operate. The
information may include the need to seek advice from local or harbour authorities,
for which contact details should be given.
28.1.4 The disposal of ship generated waste to port reception
facilities is regulated in the UK through the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels
(Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No.1809), as amended,
these Regulations apply to all vessels that proceed to sea. Further guidance these
Regulations can be found in MGN 563 (M+F)footnote which includes at Annex E a current version of the “Port
Waste Management Planning – A Guide to Good Practice”. Vessel operators should ensure
they manage their waste in a sustainable manner and fulfil the applicable
requirements of these Regulations.
28.2 Requirements for Preventing Pollution
28.2.1 Sewage
28.2.1.1 When the direct overboard discharge from a water closet is prohibited by
administrations/authorities in an area of operation, the provision of “holding tanks”
of sufficient capacity to store waste for discharge to shore facilities may be needed
for a vessel to comply.
28.2.1.2 Vessels certified to carry more than 15 persons that operate internationally
should comply with the requirements of The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of
Pollution by Sewage and Garbage) Regulations, SI 2008 No. 3257. Note should be
taken of the following:
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.1 Schedule 1 of MSN 1807 (M+F)footnote
contains information on the requirement referred to in regulation 22 for
standardised discharge connectors on board ships, for the discharge of sewage
to shore side facilities and on the potential for non-standard couplings on
ships in dedicated trades. (a 210mm diameter flange plate according to
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973
(MARPOL), Annex IV regulation 11 or a discharge fitting having an
inner diameter of 38mm).
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.2 Schedule 2 of MSN 1807 (M+F) states the United Kingdom requirements
(referred to in regulation 25(3) of SI 2008 No. 3257) in relation to a moderate
rate of discharge of sewage which has been stored in holding tanks or which
originates from spaces containing living animals.
28.2.1.3 SI 2008 No. 3257 requires an International Sewage Pollution Prevention
Certificate (ISPP) to be issued by the Administration for vessels falling into
subsection 28.2.1.2. Where a vessel is required to carry an ISPP, the survey and
certification should be undertaken in accordance with the guidance provided by MGN
385 (M+F)footnote .
28.2.2 Garbage
28.2.2.1 The disposal of garbage into the sea is prohibited by the Merchant Shipping
Regulations, SI 2008 No. 3257. Arrangements for the retention of garbage on board and
for discharge to shore waste reception facilities should be provided.
28.2.2.2 Every vessel over 12m in length overall must display placards which notify
the crew, industrial personnel and passengers of the disposal requirements set out in
regulations 26 to 28 and 30 of SI 2008 No. 3257. An example of a garbage placard is
provided in Appendix 6.
28.2.2.3 Every vessel over 100 Gross Tonnes or certified to carry 15 persons or more
must carry a Garbage Management Plan. SI 2008 No. 3257 states that this Plan must be
in accordance with the guidelines developed by the IMO and set out in Schedule 3 to
MSN 1807 (M+F).
28.2.2.4 Every vessel certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged in international
voyages must also carry and maintain a Garbage Record Book. SI 2008 No. 3257,
regulation 13 also imposes a duty to make entries about certain operations.
Regulation 35 allows for certain ships to be exempt from the requirements about
holding Garbage Record Books and making entries. MGN 385 (M+F) provides details of
the MCA’s current policy on exemption criteria.
28.2.3 Oil
28.2.3.1 The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 1996 (SI
1996 No. 2154), as amended, explain the extent to which a vessel operating in
accordance with this Code should comply with the Regulations. Guidance and additional
information is also provided in Appendix 6 of this Code.
28.2.3.2 The Annex to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) MEPC.1/Circ 511
provides “Revised Guidelines For Systems For Handling Oily Wastes In Machinery Spaces
Of Ships”. The guidelines apply to ships of which the keels were laid on or after 1
January 1992.
28.2.3.3 Certifying Authorities are requested to verify sections 1.1.2, 1.2, and 1.3
in Appendix 6 by recording the arrangement such as the size of the holding tank,
documentation of the approvals of the equipment and that the vessel has established
record keeping of all related operations, it’s maintenance and repair. These records
for survey and inspection purposes shall be kept by the Master of the vessel and made
available during Certifying Authorities annual examination.
28.2.3.4 Means to prevent pollution by oil should be acceptable to
Administrationsfootnote/authorities in the area in which a vessel
operates.
28.2.4 Use of Antifouling Paints
28.2.4.1 On the 5th October 2001 the IMO adopted the International Convention on the
Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships. This Convention prohibits the use
of environmentally harmful organotins (for example, Tributyl Tin) in antifouling
paints applied on ships and prevents the possible use in the future of other harmful
substances in anti-fouling systems. The Merchant Shipping (Anti-fouling Systems)
Regulations 2009 (SI 2009 No. 2796)footnote, as amended, apply.
28.2.4.2 As a result of EC Regulation EC 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin
compounds on ships, it became compulsory for all ships in the EEA not to apply or
re-apply organotin compounds which act as biocides in anti-fouling systems from 1st
July 2003. For ships less than 24 metres in length it is not necessary to provide for
a specific survey or declaration.
28.2.5 Air Emissions
28.2.5.1 All engines with a power output of greater than 130kW, installed on a vessel
which is a workboat of any size, constructed after 1st January 2000 should be issued
with an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) Certificate and a
Technical File, see MSN 1819(M+F)footnote.
28.2.5.2 Further guidance on air emissions regulations can be found in MSN 1819 (M+F)
and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008
(SI 2008 No. 2924), as amended.