4. Pollution.

There are three main sources of pollution: (a) collision, fire, or grounding which result in the release of oil from the ship's bunkers and from the ships tanks; (b) intentional discharge of oil or oily waste from the pumping of the bilges, or deballasting the cargo tanks, or tank washings; (c) accidental spills while transferring fuel or cargo from ship to ship, or from ship to shore, an accidental spillage resulting from the incorrect operation of valves on shipboard or at oil terminals. Reasonable precautions should be taken to minimize or prevent the pollution.

In the event of an oil spill, however minor, the Master should immediately notify and consult the local P & I club representative, and follow his advice as to how to inform the local authorities. The Master should ensure that steps are taken to clear up the spill and prevent further damage. The P & I representative will make arrangements for legal representation and attendance of surveyors if necessary. It is imperative that the Master and the crew co-operate fully with the authorities and show concern.

5. Imagine that your vessel is responsible for spilling the oil, and you are supposed to inform the port authorities. Write a report taking into consideration the following hints:

If an oil spill occurs, when the vessel is in port it is necessary to state:

name of the vessel; position of the vessel (place, berth, etc): operations being carried out; time of the oil spill detection; nature of oil contaminated sea surface (type of floating oil, size of oil slick, weather and sea conditions); source of oil discharge; and name and position of person who has made report.

After a verbal information on the spill the entry concerning the text of the report that has been made and the addresses should be taken in the Ship's logbook.

Actual or probable discharge of oil resulting from damage to the ship in high seas, territorial waters or economic zone of foreign states should be reported to the shipping company in accordance with "The instructions regarding classification, investigation and registration of the incidents with ships at Sea".

The report should be up the following requirements: it should be simple and contain only essential information; report should be made according to format for notification in English using where possible the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary; report should contain distinctive letters and characteristics of the ship, shipboard equipment and means for oil spill cleanup; further up-date report should contain information on any significant changes of the situation; if necessary, a discharge of oil in foreign ports should be reported through an agent to specialized companies dealing with oil spill clean up and rendering assistance to ships.

6. Oil Prevention.

Standards for tankers and other ships set out by the Marine Pollution Convention (MARPOL) are as follows:

1) Oil cargo residue can be discharged into the sea if the tanker is not in a Special Area. Special Areas are the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Red Sea, the “Gulfs” Area, the Gulf of Aden, the Antarctic Area, North West European Waters, Oman Area of the Arabian Sea, Southern South African Waters.

2) Oil cargo residue can be discharged into the sea if the tanker is more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.

3) It can be discharged if the tanker is on passage.

4) The rate of discharge must not be more than 30 liters per nautical mile.

5) Total quantity discharge does not exceed 1/15000 or 1/30000 of the total cargo (depending on the age of the vessel).

6) The Oil Record Book Part 2 for cargo/ballast operations must be kept on all tankers over 150 gross register tonnage. This Book is kept by the Deck Department.

7) The Oil Record Book for machinery space operations must be kept by all ships of 400 tons and above. This Book is kept by the Engine Department.

8) Slop tanks may be needed for certain washing operations. Cargo tanks may be used as slop tanks.