A person on a fixed or floating platform engaged in oil exploration MAY discharge food waste into the sea when the distance from the nearest land is at least __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — 12 nautical miles

Under 33 CFR 151.66, food waste discharge from fixed or floating platforms is prohibited unless the platform is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. Even then, the waste must be ground to less than 25 millimeters to comply with MARPOL Annex V requirements for offshore platforms.