Causes of Marine (Air and Water) Pollution:

  • Oil in oceans: One of ugliest forms; images of tanker spills, oiled seabirds, gooey shorelines.
  • Oil spills not major cause; majority from other sources.

Types of Marine Oil Pollution (with approximate contributions based on historical data):

  • Offshore drilling: From operational discharges/accidents.
  • Large oil spills: From tanker accidents (collisions/groundings); small percent (e.g., ~5%).
  • Natural oil pollution (seeps): From ocean floor/ eroding rocks; natural for thousands/millions years.
  • Up in Smoke: From oil consumption (automobiles/industry); hydrocarbons via atmospheric fallout.
  • Routine maintenance: From ship bilge cleaning/etc.
  • People dumping oils/products down stormdrains, urban street runoff (worst source).

Prevention of Marine Pollution:

  • Divided into oil tankers and chemical tankers at sea/in port.
  • Awareness of IMO regulations.
  • Air pollution growing international concern.
  • Local/national rules must comply.
  • Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Appendix I.
  • Refer to Regulation 15 of Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78.

Measures in Event of Spillage:

  • Focus on onboard actions upon spill occurrence.
  • Importance of prompt notification to relevant authorities.

    Basic Knowledge of the Effects of Oil and Chemical Pollution on Human and Marine Life 

    For Oil Tankers at Sea and in Port: SOPEP (0.25 hour) Ship’s SOPEP must be approved form, include:

    • Procedure for Master/charge person to notify reportable incident (discharge/probable discharge of oil).
    • List of entities to notify if incident happens.
    • Procedure for coordinating with notified entities.
    • Name of onboard person for all communications about incident.
    • Detailed description of immediate actions by onboard persons to minimize/control discharge from incident.

    For Chemical Tankers at Sea and in Port: SMPEP Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for noxious liquid substances in prescribed form, set out:

    • Procedures for Master/charge person to notify prescribed incident.
    • List of authorities/persons to notify if prescribed incident occurs.
    • Detailed description of immediate actions by onboard persons to reduce/control discharge from incident.
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