BrightMariner
MEO Class II: MEKG MEKM MEP MET SC&S SSEP 📊 Trends
Q7 (20 Marks) Environmental Protection 🔥 Repeated 3x in exams
SSEP • Written Exam

Discuss on the following with respect to MARPOL Annex-V. (20)

(a) Domestic waste and operational waste.

(b) Garbage Management plan and record keeping.

(c) Discharge of Garbage outside special areas.

(d) Discharge of Garbage within special areas.

Appeared In: Jul 2026Jun 2025Aug 2024

✓ Verified Model Answer (Text Solution)

Structured for DG Shipping MEO Class II examination scoring criteria.

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Discuss the following with respect to MARPOL Annex V:

Part (a)

Domestic waste and operational waste.

Part (b)

Garbage Management plan and record keeping.

Part (c)

Discharge of Garbage outside special areas.

Part (d)

Discharge of Garbage within special areas.

(Refer to the detailed answer for 6a68b2de3478942caa0b55d8.)

Part (a)

Domestic waste = solid waste generated in accommodation and domestic spaces (galley, mess, cabins): food waste, paper, plastic, glass, metal, cans, rags, etc. Operational waste = solid waste generated during normal operation: cargo-associated waste (dunnage, packing, residues), deck washings, engine room waste, paint slops, etc. Both are classified as "garbage" under Annex V; disposal of plastics is prohibited everywhere, and other wastes are distance/area restricted.

Part (b)

Garbage Management Plan: a written plan (for ships 100 GT and above, or certified to carry 15+ persons) covering the procedures for collecting, storing, processing and disposing of garbage, the equipment used, the responsibilities of officers, and the minimisation of waste; it is approved by the Administration. Record keeping: a Garbage Record Book (Part I for cargo/offshore; Part II for all ships) is required for ships of 400 GT and above and ships certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged on voyages to ports of other parties; each discharge, incineration, accidental loss or disposal ashore is recorded with date, position, quantity and category; records are retained and available for inspection.

Part (c)

Discharge outside special areas: food waste may be discharged within 12 nautical miles providing it is comminuted/ground to pass a 25 mm mesh and discharged > 12 nm for unground; all plastics (including fishing gear) discharge is prohibited anywhere; cargo residues and cleaning agents may be discharged > 12 nm from land (subject to conditions); other garbage (packaging, paper, glass) can be discharged when > 25 nm from shore under certain circumstances (paper/cardboard/glass/racking > 25 nm); ashes and dunnage subject to distance restrictions.

Part (d)

Discharge within special areas (e.g. Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, Red Sea, Gulfs, North Sea, Wider Caribbean, Antarctic):

  • food waste may only be discharged > 12 nm from land (and usually also requires comminution to <25mm) and the ship must be en route the Antarctic has even stricter;
  • All other garbage (plastics, cargo residues, packaging) discharge into the sea is prohibited; such waste must be retained and discharged to a port reception facility.
  • Plastics (including fishing gear) discharge is banned everywhere even in special areas.
  • Reception facilities are required in special areas so ships can offload garbage.
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