PART 3Requirements for Control of Operational Pollution—Control of Discharge of Oil

Control of discharge of oil from shipsI125

1

Subject to regulations 21 to 23, and paragraph (2), the discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture from the machinery space of any ship is prohibited.

2

Paragraph (1) is subject to the following exceptions—

a

in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage outside special areas except in Arctic waters, when the conditions specified in regulation 15, paragraph 2 of Annex I are satisfied;

b

in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage only part of which is in a special area, when—

i

the discharge is made outside of a special area except in Arctic waters; and

ii

the conditions specified in regulation 15.2 of Annex I are satisfied;

c

in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage in special areas, when the conditions specified in regulation 15.3 of Annex I are satisfied; and

d

in the case of ships of less than 400 GT on a voyage in any area except the Antarctic area and Arctic waters, when the conditions specified in regulation 15.6 of Annex I are satisfied.

3

Subject to regulation 21, the discharge into the sea in the Antarctic area of oil or oily mixtures from any ship is prohibited and the exceptions referred to in paragraph (2)(c) do not apply.

4

So far as is reasonably practicable the Secretary of State must, on receipt of a report of visible traces of oil observed on or below the surface of the water in the immediate vicinity of a ship or its wake, launch an investigation to determine whether provisions in this regulation have been contravened.

5

An investigation launched under paragraph (4) must in particular include an examination of—

a

the wind and sea conditions;

b

the track and speed of the ship;

c

other possible sources of the visible traces of oil in the relevant vicinity; and

d

any relevant oil discharge records.

6

The discharge into the sea of—

a

chemicals or other substances in quantities or concentrations which are hazardous to the marine environment; or

b

chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of circumventing the conditions of discharge specified in regulation 15 of Annex I,

is prohibited.

7

Oil residues which cannot be discharged into the sea in compliance with regulation 15 of Annex I must be retained on board for subsequent discharge to reception facilities.