MARPOL
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, short for Marine Pollution) was adopted in 1973 and entered into force ten years later. It contains regulations designed to prevent pollution of the sea, land and air caused accidentally or during routine operations by ships transporting oil cargoes, by noxious or harmful cargoes, and by sewage and garbage. It also aims at cleaning up the oceans. There are requirements in it for storing, treating and discharging of the above mentioned substances as well as procedures for reporting of incidents involving dangerous goods, harmful substances and/or marine pollutants. The convention includes the following six annexes:
I. Prevention of Pollution by Oil
II. Prevention of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (e.g. chemicals)
III. Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried in Packages (e.g. containers, tanks)
IV. Prevention of Pollution by Sewage
V. Prevention of Pollution by Garbage
VI. Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
The original MARPOL Convention 73 together with the 78 Protocol is collectively known as MARPOL 73/78.
All yachts, whether commercial or private, must comply with MARPOL, where applicable.
SOPEP
Regulation 37 of MARPOL Annex 1 states that each tankers over 150 GRT and vessels other than tankers over 400 GRT must have on board a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) approved by the Flag Administration or Classification in fact on behalf of the flag admin.
SOPEP in itself is a guide line for the response of the vessel’s crew in case of oil pollution and how to report, who will be reporting and what should be reported. It also gives a guide line to control discharge action - with consideration based on Navigation Measures and Seamanship Measures.
Panama Canal SOPEP
Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Prevention Emergency Plan
As of 1 January 2005 all toll paying vessels in passage through the Panama Canal that carry in excess of 400 metric tons (MT) of fuel, are required to have a Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, duly authorised by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).