By: Emilie Biechlin

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships , more commonly referred to as MARPOL was signed in 1973. There are 6 Annexes to the Act, the latest was added in 1997 and covered air pollution caused from ships.

The 6 Annexes cover…

1) Pollution by oil

2) Noxious liquid substances

3) Harmful packaged material

4) Sewage dumping

5) Plastic dump from Ships

6) Air pollution from ships

To Implement these rules and regulations, MARPOL has several requirements ships must first complete in order to be allowed out in the sea. First, they must register their ship with the country it represents (Flag State). After completing this, they must comply with the domestic laws of the Flag State and agree to all of the 6 Annexes and any other related laws form their own Nation.

When the regulations set by MARPOL are broken, there are severe consequences…

• Violators can be charged $25,000 for each violation

• Criminal charges can reach $50,000

• For severe cases, violators can be given up to 5 years in prison

• Oil Spills contribute about 37 million gallons of oil into the ocean per year

•There is a mass, twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean of trash. The most commonly found item is plastic bags.

•In any given year, about 25% of beaches in the US are under advisories or are closed at least one time because of water pollution

• Do not pour any chemicals or cleaners down the drain

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

• Research and use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly, these could eventually end up in our water ways so the less…the better.

• Repair broken engines and boat motors immediately to ensure that you’re not leaking anything into the water

Bibliography

• En.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPOL• www.cdli.ca/CITE/oceanpollution.htm• www.library.thinkquest.org/CRO215471/

ocean_pollution.htm• www.portwaste.com/services/MARPOL.htm• Google images