USCG Exam PracticePollution prevention and environmental awareness
A junior engineer adds a chemical dispersant to bilge water specifically to reduce the apparent oil content of the effluent before it is pumped overboard. Under 33 CFR §151.10, this action is best characterized as which of the following?
- A. Permissible, provided the oil content of the treated effluent reads below 15 ppm on the bilge monitor
- B. Permissible only when the vessel is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land and proceeding enroute
- ✓ Prohibited, because no discharge into the sea shall contain chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of circumventing the discharge conditionsCorrect
- D. Permissible if the chemical is listed on the IMO MEPC Circular as approved for bilge treatment
Why C is correct
33 CFR §151.10(g) expressly prohibits any discharge into the sea that contains chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of circumventing the conditions of discharge specified in the regulation. The prohibition applies regardless of distance from land or resulting oil content reading.
Cited:33 CFR §151.10