When discharging clean ballast, prior to entering the loading port, if the ballast is determined by the oil monitor to exceed 15 parts per million of oil, the deballasting must _________.

Correct Answer: Option A — be terminated automatically

MARPOL Annex I requires that the Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODME) be fully operational. If the oil content exceeds 15 ppm, the system must automatically trigger an alarm and terminate the discharge to prevent illegal pollution, ensuring compliance with international environmental standards and protecting the vessel from regulatory penalties.