MARPOL ANNEX IV

MARPOL ANNEX IV

ENTERED INTO FORCE ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2003

REGULATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROM SHIPS

SEWAGE MEANS

a) Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets, urinals and scuppers.

b) Drainage from medical premises via wash basins, wash tubes and scuppers located in such premises.

c) Drainage from spaces containing living animals

d) Other waste waters when mixed with the drainages defined above.

Chapter-1 General

Regulation -2 Application

Applicable to ships 400 GRT & above

Ships carrying 15 persons or more

Regulation- 4 Surveys

An initial survey before the ship is put in service or before the issuance of International sewage pollution prevention certificate for the first time. It includes complete survey of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with the

Requirements of this Annex.

A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding five years. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with applicable requirements of this Annex.

An additional survey either general or partial, according to the circumstances, shall be made after a repair. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made that the material and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are in all respects satisfactory and that the ship complies in all respects with the requirements of this Annex.

Regulation- 8 Duration and validity of Certificate

An International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate shall be issued for a period specified by the Administration which shall not exceed five years.

Chapter- 3 Equipment and control of discharge

Regulation -9 Sewage Systems

 A sewage treatment plant shall be of a type approved by the Administration and maintain the standards and test methods.

 A sewage comminuting and disinfecting system approved by the Administration. Such system shall be fitted with facilities to the satisfaction of the Administration for the temporary storage of sewage when the ship is less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land.

 A holding tank that capacity and construction is satisfactory to the Administration for the retention of all sewage, having regard to the operation of the ship, the number of persons on board and other relevant factors. The holding tank shall have a means to indicate visually the amount of its contents.

Regulation -10 Standard Discharge Connections

Regulation -11 Discharge of Sewage

Discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited except when

1. I) The ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using a system approved by the administration at a distance of more than 4 nautical miles from the nearest land.

ii) Sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected is allowed to discharge at distance more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.

iii) In any case sewage that has been stored in holding tanks shall not be discharged instantaneously but a moderate rate when the ship is en route and proceeding at not less than 4 knots.

2. The ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant which has been certified by the administration to meet the operational requirements.

i) The test results of the plant are laid down in the ship’s International Sewage Pollution prevention certificate.

ii) Additionally, the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids, or cause discoloration of the surrounding water.

Defining Sewage Waste: The Sewage waste produced on the ship can further be divided into two categories; Blackwater and Grey Water. Together they are called as wastewater. The black water comprises the following wastes produced on a ship: – Waste generated from drainage and in any other form from toilets and urinals – Waste generated from drainage of a medical dispensary, sickbay, etc. via wash basins, wash tubs and scuppers located in such premises – Drainage from the cargo hold of living animals; or other wastewaters when mixed with the drainages of such spaces The Grey Water produced on Ship comprises of: – Waste generated from drainage of dishwasher and washbasin in the galley – Waste generated from drainage of cabin showers, bath and washbasin drains – Waste generated from drainage of laundry – Wastewater from interior deck drains – Refrigerator and air conditioner condensate What PSC inspect in sewage system? Whenever a ship arrives in a port, an inspector representing the port state may inspect the ship for any deficiency. The most targeted area by any PSC authority is the ship’s pollution prevention system, which also includes the sewage system. The PSC surveyor may check the following things: 1. STP is operated correctly by the ship’s crew 2. All the crew members know the international and local regulations 3. The sewage discharge valve is shut and sealed/locked in port 4. The internal chamber of STP is clean (no sign of metal wastage) 5. The safety management system onboard includes the steps for regular checks and maintenance of the sewage plant 6. The chlorine content in the effluent can be checked 7. Log of opening and closing of the discharge valve 8. The validity of the International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate