Preventing pollution
- MARPOL basics: oil, sewage and garbage must not be discharged unlawfully; know the limits that apply to the vessel.
- Bunkering safely with a plan, drip trays, scupper plugs and continuous monitoring — and never overfilling.
- Managing oily bilge water, used oil filters and waste oil for proper disposal ashore, not overboard.
- Keeping the required records and acting immediately on any spill.
Most small-craft pollution happens during bunkering, when fuel is transferred and a moment's inattention overflows a tank or bursts a hose. A safe bunkering operation is planned, the scuppers are plugged and drip trays set, the levels are watched continuously, and there is an agreed way to stop instantly. Oily bilge water and waste oil are kept for disposal ashore, never pumped overboard, and any spill is contained and reported at once.
WARNING — Bunkering is the biggest spill risk Most small-vessel pollution happens while fuelling. Plan the transfer, plug the scuppers, set drip trays, watch the levels continuously, and be ready to stop instantly — do not leave a fuelling operation unattended.
NOTE — Oily water goes ashore, not overboard Oily bilge water, used filters and waste oil are retained for proper disposal ashore. Pumping oily water overboard is both illegal and a serious offence heavily pursued by the authorities.