RESEARCH/OUTPUT

In
MARENV

SUBMITTED TO:

2/m JESSE A. MEDROCILLO

SUBMITTED BY:

JAN RUSSEL NABASA

Annex III Marpol 73/78 (Harmful Substances carried at Sea in Packaged Form :
This Annex came into force internationally on 1July 1992. It contains regulations
which include requirements on packaging, marking, labelling, documentation,
stowage and quantity limitations. It aims to prevent or minimise pollution of the
marine environment by harmful substances in packaged forms or in freight
containers, portable tanks or road and rail tank wagons, or other forms of
containment specified in the schedule for harmful substances in the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

There may be following sources of pollution (on containerships):

A) Pollution from hold bilges (contaminated with cargo / oil seepage)

b) Pollution from loss overboard of harmful packaged goods (Marine Pollutant

as in IMDG Code)

Handling Cargo Hold Bilges on Container vessels

Hold bilges must be sounded at least once daily and also checked for content on
the sounding rod (this will indicate if any oil or cargo effluent exists, mingled with
water). They must be pumped out, when well within the bilge well depth. If vessel
is in port, bilges should be transferred to the bilge holding tank (where fitted), but
if reached tank top level (due rain), then pumping out must only be done after
visual check inside hold for uncontaminated of water.

Handling Bilges from other spaces (but, non E/R)

Bilges need to be occasionally pumped from other spaces like Bow thruster room,
Bosun store, Void spaces, Cofferdams, Steering flat, Under Deck Passages, etc. In
all such cases, they must be only pumped out at sea after confirmation of
contents.

Handling of Harmful Packaged goods

If any Marine Pollutant (as per IMDG) leaks from a container into the hold bilges
or on deck, it must be collected taking due precautions, as per EMS and disposed
off ashore. Accidental loss overboard of containers must be notified to shore
authorities, also mentioning the nature of contents esp. if they are a Marine
Pollutant. Handling Chemicals and Hazardous waste)

Note : Residues of chemicals, paint and other items used on board for operational
purposes, must be disposed off ashore and recorded in Garbage Record Book.

Disposable cargo

Crewmembers should remember that cargo hold wash water from holds
containing Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) cargoes can only be
discharged provided that the master determines that there are no adequate
reception facilities at the receiving terminal and the ship is en route and as far as
practicable from the nearest land, but not less than 12 nautical miles. Before
washing, dry cargo residue should be removed (and bagged for discharge ashore)
as far as practicable and holds are swept and the volume of wash water used
should be kept to a minimum. Moreover, filters should be used in the bilge wells
in order to collect any remaining solid particles and minimise solid residue
discharge. Lastly, the discharge should be recorded in the Garbage Record Book
and the Flag State is notified utilising the Revised Consolidated Format for
Reporting Alleged Inadequacies of Port Reception Facilities.
General guidance for prevention of marine pollution by sewage

Sewage is human body waste and the waste from toilets and other receptacles
intended to receive or retain body waste which is discharged from the vessel
.Sewage is naturally rich in both phosphorous and nitrogen, which encourage the
excessive growth of plants and algae creating toxic algae ‘blooms’.

When these plants and algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria that also
remove oxygen from the water, killing other marine life.

Sewage is also a source of pathogens such as viral hepatitis, cholera, typhoid

fever, and a range of stomach and intestinal diseases. MARPOL 73 / 78 Annex IV

Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage of Ships entered into force
on 1 August 2005 and apply to new and existing ships of:

•400+ gross tonnage

•less than 400 gross tonnage certified to carry more than 15 persons.

*'New ship' is one for which the building contract or keel was laid on or after 27
September, 2003 or delivered on or after September 23, 2006.

* Existing ships had to comply by 27 September 2008

Revised Sewage Standards

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 55th session in

October 2006, adopted revised guidelines on sewage treatment plants (see
resolution MEPC.159(55)). The revised guidelines apply to sewage treatment
plants installed on or after 1 January 2010.

The MEPC also adopted a standard for the maximum rate of discharge of
untreated sewage from holding tanks when at a distance equal or greater than 12
nautical miles from the nearest land (see resolution MEPC.157(55)).

Marpol annex IV was revised and updated by IMOs Marine Environment

Protection Committee (MEPC) in 2000, and came into force on 27 September
2003. It applies to vessels engaged in international voyages, and sets out in detail
how sewage should be treated or held aboard ship, and the circumstances in
which discharge into the sea may be allowed.

This Annex applies to all new ships (built after the date of entry into force of the
Annex) of 400 gt and over, and to new ships of less than 400 gt which are certified
to carry more than 15 persons.

Five years after its entry into force i.e. from 27 September 2008, the Annex will
also apply to existing ships of 400 gt and over, and to existing ships of less than
400 gt which are certified to carry more than 15 persons. The Master shall
prevent marine pollution by complying with “MARPOL Annex IV” and any local or
domestic law and regulations.

“Sewage” means:

1. Drainage and other waste from any form of toilet

2. Drainage from medical premises (hospital etc.) via wash basins and
scuppers located in such premises

3. Other wastewaters when mixed with the drainage defined above

Prohibition on Sewage Discharge

The discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when:

• The ship has in operation an approved Sewage Treatment Plant which has
been certified by the flag state, and the effluent does not produce visible floating
solids in, nor cause discoloration of the surrounding water, OR

• The ship is discharging the sewage at a distance of more than 12 miles from
the nearest land, and proceeding at not less than 4 knots (in case Plant stopped
for maintenance)
Where the vessel is operating in waters under the jurisdiction of a State where
the local requirements are more stringent than above, these shall be complied.

The Chief Engineer or Officer is to confirm that the sewage overboard valves is
positively locked in the closed position to ensure no accidental direct discharge.

Sewage Treatment Plant

The Master shall keep on board the certificate of type-approval of the Sewage
Treatment Plant including the USCG Certification (provided by the manufacturer).

Operation and Maintenance of Sewage Treatment Plant

The Master shall designate the officer in charge to have him carry out the
following matters:

1. Keep operating the Sewage Treatment Plant all the time, in principle.

2. The inspection and maintenance shall be done in accordance with the

Makers Instruction Book.

For the type which requires addition of chemicals, these should be stocked, and
added as required by manufacturer’s instruction.

Rules and Regulations for Reference :

• MARPOL Annex IV (IMO)

• U.S. Regulation, 33CFR, Part 159 (Marine Sanitation Device

California No Discharge Zone Prohibiting Vessel Sewage in all California Marine

Waters

Effective March 28, 2012, the following vessels will be prohibited from
discharging all sewage, whether treated or not, while in California marine waters:

• Large Passenger Vessels of 300 gross tons or greater that have berths or
overnight accommodations for passengers.

• Large Oceangoing Vessels of 300 gross tons or greater, including private,

commercial, government, or military vessels equipped with a holding tank with
remaining capacity or containing sewage generated prior to entry in to California
marine waters.