What happenedThere were recently two cases (Australia, China) as per GARD, where vessels were fined due to discharges related to MARPOL Annex V and garbage disposal outside 12 Nm off nearest land. Root cause’Nearest land’ in MARPOL does not necessarily mean the ‘nearest shoreline’. In Australia, the nearest land boundary extends around the outer edge of the GBR region. Other countries have established baselines which lie off their coasts and it is from these baselines that the minimum distance requirements apply. Corrective actionMasters must make sure that environmental issues are considered in voyage and passage planning. Areas, where specific marine environmental measures apply, should be noted in the detailed passage plan. IMO’s circular MEPC.1/Circ.778/Rev.3 provides an overview of all Special Areas defined under MARPOL Annexes I, II and V and Emission Control Areas (ECAs) defined under MARPOL Annex VI. The circular also lists all IMO designated PSSAs and their associated protective measures. |