Environmental Officer Training Questions With Complete
Solutions
After the BWM Convention came into force, who was in charge
of inspecting the systems and what did they look at? Correct
Answers Port state inspectors determine if a ship complies with
the convention by verifying certification of the ship's equipment,
record book and sample the ballast water discharge
An EO must be familiar with a ship's: Correct Answers -
Operations
-Equipment
-Management Systems
At more than 12 nm from the coast, sewage can be discharged
from holding tanks provided the ship is en route at no less than
what speed? Correct Answers > 4 nm with no visible solids
Ballast Water Management Convention Requirements Correct
Answers Every ship must have:
- Ballast Water Management Plan and a person responsible for
developing and operating it
-Records
Because of the Environmental Policy's importance, who should
draft it to ensure compliance at all levels? Correct Answers The
Senior Management of the Company
During an environmental incident who will be the liaise with the
shore authorities and head office? Correct Answers The Master
of the vessel
,Every qualifying vessel must have a valid oil pollution
prevention certificate. Who is responsible for obtaining this?
Correct Answers The Ship's owner
For ships < 400 gross tons, what are the discharging options
under annex I? Correct Answers Oil and oily mixtures must be
retained for discharge ashore or discharged through 15 ppm oil
separating equipment
For the purpose of completing the garbage record book,
MARPOL Annex V requires that garbage is separated into how
many different types? Correct Answers 9
For the purpose of sewage discharge, which area of the world is
in the process of becoming a special area for passenger ships?
Correct Answers Baltic Sea
Garbage discharge guidelines outside of special areas Correct
Answers >3 nm from land: Food waste, wash water containing
cargo residues and cleaning agents
> 100 nm: animal carcasses
Never Permitted: plastics, glass, metal and incinerator ash
Heavy metals like cadmium, nickel and manganese are
extensively used in: Correct Answers Dry Batteries
How does an EO keep up to date with regulations? Correct
Answers - Publications from port/ flag states
-Online resources ( IMO, EU, USCG)
- Shore Office and Port Agents
, How does the VGP work? Correct Answers It works using self-
inspection, ratification, documentation and self-reporting
How long are MARPOL certificates usually valid for? Correct
Answers 5 years
How many categories of discharge does the VGP identify?
Correct Answers 27
How many nautical miles does the ship need to be from land for
it to be permissible to discharge incinerator ash? Correct
Answers It is never permitted
If non-conformities are found in an EMS, what should be done?
Correct Answers Preventative action should be taken
If you discover a polluting incident, who should you talk to
first? Correct Answers The Master of the vessel
In an emergency, what is the order of priority: cargo, safety of
the vessel, preservation of human life? Correct Answers 1.
Preservation of human life
2. Safety of the vessel
3. Safety of the cargo
In the event of an accidental pollution, besides the officers &
crew, who else should the master notify? Correct Answers The
Head Office & Nearest Coastal State
Solutions
After the BWM Convention came into force, who was in charge
of inspecting the systems and what did they look at? Correct
Answers Port state inspectors determine if a ship complies with
the convention by verifying certification of the ship's equipment,
record book and sample the ballast water discharge
An EO must be familiar with a ship's: Correct Answers -
Operations
-Equipment
-Management Systems
At more than 12 nm from the coast, sewage can be discharged
from holding tanks provided the ship is en route at no less than
what speed? Correct Answers > 4 nm with no visible solids
Ballast Water Management Convention Requirements Correct
Answers Every ship must have:
- Ballast Water Management Plan and a person responsible for
developing and operating it
-Records
Because of the Environmental Policy's importance, who should
draft it to ensure compliance at all levels? Correct Answers The
Senior Management of the Company
During an environmental incident who will be the liaise with the
shore authorities and head office? Correct Answers The Master
of the vessel
,Every qualifying vessel must have a valid oil pollution
prevention certificate. Who is responsible for obtaining this?
Correct Answers The Ship's owner
For ships < 400 gross tons, what are the discharging options
under annex I? Correct Answers Oil and oily mixtures must be
retained for discharge ashore or discharged through 15 ppm oil
separating equipment
For the purpose of completing the garbage record book,
MARPOL Annex V requires that garbage is separated into how
many different types? Correct Answers 9
For the purpose of sewage discharge, which area of the world is
in the process of becoming a special area for passenger ships?
Correct Answers Baltic Sea
Garbage discharge guidelines outside of special areas Correct
Answers >3 nm from land: Food waste, wash water containing
cargo residues and cleaning agents
> 100 nm: animal carcasses
Never Permitted: plastics, glass, metal and incinerator ash
Heavy metals like cadmium, nickel and manganese are
extensively used in: Correct Answers Dry Batteries
How does an EO keep up to date with regulations? Correct
Answers - Publications from port/ flag states
-Online resources ( IMO, EU, USCG)
- Shore Office and Port Agents
, How does the VGP work? Correct Answers It works using self-
inspection, ratification, documentation and self-reporting
How long are MARPOL certificates usually valid for? Correct
Answers 5 years
How many categories of discharge does the VGP identify?
Correct Answers 27
How many nautical miles does the ship need to be from land for
it to be permissible to discharge incinerator ash? Correct
Answers It is never permitted
If non-conformities are found in an EMS, what should be done?
Correct Answers Preventative action should be taken
If you discover a polluting incident, who should you talk to
first? Correct Answers The Master of the vessel
In an emergency, what is the order of priority: cargo, safety of
the vessel, preservation of human life? Correct Answers 1.
Preservation of human life
2. Safety of the vessel
3. Safety of the cargo
In the event of an accidental pollution, besides the officers &
crew, who else should the master notify? Correct Answers The
Head Office & Nearest Coastal State
