Explain the OPRC (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Convention; Flag State responsibilities; and documents to be carried on board.

The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC 1990, in force 1995) establishes an international framework to enable effective oil pollution preparedness and response and cooperation between States, to reduce the risk of major oil spills and to provide a global system for response. Objectives/provisions:

• Every party is to establish a national system for preparedness and response, including a contingency plan.
• Ships (as required) are to have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) approved by the Administration, and are to report incidents of oil pollution (per Regulation 26 of MARPOL Annex I and the SOPEP).
• Marine/offshore installations also must have emergency plans.
• Parties are to have in place: a minimum level of pre-positioned oil spill response equipment, oil spill response exercises, and arrangements for coordination; a clear national contact point and reporting mechanism.
• The Convention requires reporting an incident: any person in charge of a ship involved in an incident must report it to the coastal State.
• It provides for mutual assistance between parties, the exchange of information and technology, and research and development, and coordination of international assistance.
• It promotes the establishment of regional cooperation arrangements and bilateral agreements (e.g. regional oil spill contingency plans).

Flag State responsibilities under OPRC:

• Ensure that every ship flying their flag has an approved SOPEP (oil tankers of 150 GT and above, and ships of 400 GT and above) which describes the procedures to follow in case of an oil pollution incident (reporting, who to contact, the response measures/decision-making, and the equipment/arrangements onboard).
• Ensure incidents are reported promptly to the coastal State/Administration; provide the necessary guidance and coordinate with the response.
• Ensure the master/certain persons are trained in the SOPEP and the reporting.
• Cooperate with other parties in preparing and responding, providing assistance and information; establish a national contact point; and develop/exchange mutual assistance agreements.
• On behalf of the flag, approve the SOPEP (or authorise a recognised organisation).

Documents required to be carried on board:

• The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) - approved by the Administration/RO.
• For oil tankers, and ships carrying NLS under Annex II - a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP) covering both oil and noxious liquid substances.
• The Oil Record Book (Part I and where applicable Part II).
• Notice of the SOPEP contact points, the ship/company response contact list, and the list of the coastal State points of contact.
• On tankers over 20,000 DWT, the ship carries response equipment (the SOPEP includes the means/equipment to respond to spills) and the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPPC) and any other relevant certificates.
• The SOPEP is carried at the ship; and the reporting obligation is discharged to the flag and coastal States, with the master making the notification via the appropriate coastal State contact.

These documents enable the ship to comply with OPRC by ensuring preparedness (SOPEP), reporting (record and notification), and response (equipment and cooperation).