Violation of MARPOL Annex V and GB3552-2018 in the Bohai Sea: A Case Study

Violation of MARPOL Annex V and GB3552-2018 in the Bohai Sea: A Case Study

This analysis examines the causes of maritime incidents in the Bohai Sea based on a spot investigation and information from the Master. The investigation revealed several contributing factors:

1. Lack of Regulatory Knowledge:

The Master and Chief Officer (C/O) were not sufficiently familiar with MARPOL 73/78 Annex V, the international convention for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, and the National Standard of the People's Republic of China GB3552-2018, specifically its application to the Bohai Sea as an inland water of P.R China. This lack of awareness regarding the legal classification of the Bohai Sea and the applicable regulations was a primary factor leading to the violations.

2. Negligence During Deck Operations:

During daytime navigation in a two-way channel, while the crew was flushing the hatch cover, they failed to prevent water on the deck from flowing overboard from the stern of the ship. This oversight demonstrates a lack of attention to operational details and a disregard for the potential environmental impact of discharging even small amounts of water potentially containing pollutants into the sea.

3. Crew Awareness and Responsibility:

While the crew members frequently working in the Bohai Sea were reportedly sensitive to the issue of pollutants entering the marine environment, this awareness did not translate into proactive measures to prevent the incident. This highlights a gap between awareness and action, emphasizing the need for clear procedures and individual responsibility in upholding environmental standards.

Conclusion:

This case underscores the critical need for comprehensive training and awareness programs for maritime personnel operating in Chinese waters. It emphasizes that familiarity with both international conventions like MARPOL and national standards such as GB3552-2018 is non-negotiable. Furthermore, it demonstrates that environmental responsibility extends beyond simple awareness and necessitates a proactive approach to pollution prevention in all shipboard operations.