A new oceangoing ship of 2000 gross tons having an inoperative oily-water separator may dispose of its bilge slops by __________.

Correct Answer: Option B — holding its slops onboard until they can be discharged to a shore side reception facility

When an oily-water separator is inoperative, MARPOL Annex I prohibits the discharge of untreated bilge water overboard. The vessel must retain all oily bilge slops on board in designated holding tanks until they can be safely transferred to an authorized shore-side reception facility, ensuring no illegal pollution occurs.