USCG Exam PracticePollution prevention and environmental awareness
A vessel is within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land and wishes to discharge oily bilge water from machinery spaces. In addition to the oil content not exceeding 15 ppm and the mixture not originating from cargo pump room bilges, which additional equipment requirement applies specifically to discharges within 12 nautical miles that does NOT appear as a separate condition for discharges beyond 12 nautical miles when proceeding enroute?
- A. The vessel must have an oil record book on board
- ✓ The oily-water separating equipment must be equipped with a 15 ppm bilge alarmCorrect
- C. The vessel must be proceeding enroute
- D. The discharge must not occur within a special area
Why B is correct
33 CFR §151.10(b)(5) imposes the specific requirement that the oily-water separating equipment be equipped with a 15 ppm bilge alarm (approved under 46 CFR 162.050 for U.S. inspected ships, or meeting IMO MEPC Circular standards for others) when discharging within 12 nautical miles. This bilge alarm requirement appears in paragraph (b) but not as a separate enumerated condition in paragraph (a) for beyond-12-mile enroute discharges. The enroute requirement and the special area prohibition are conditions of paragraph (a), not additional requirements unique to paragraph (b).
Cited:33 CFR §151.10