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• Republic of Marshall Islands has issued a Marine notice no. 2-013-3 (copy attached) for Oil Filtering Equipment and control of Operational Discharge of Oil & implementation of MARPOL Regulation I/12 (amendments to the sludge piping requirement).

• Salient points of the notice are as follows:

1. Company is required to have procedure included in SMS for monitoring the status of closed position of Emergency bilge discharge valve and overboard discharge valve.

2. It is to be ensured that there is no excessive oil in the bilges and that cleaning substance which contain emulsifiers or other substances which may interfere with the proper operation of monitoring and control system are not used.

3. For vessels constructed before 01 January 2017, sludge piping must be arranged to comply with the requirements of the revised MARPOL annex I Regulation 12 (MEPC 266 (68)) not later than the first renewal survey on or after 01 January 2017.

4. Common piping leading to standard discharge connection from oil residue (sludge) tanks discharge and bilge water piping is acceptable. The screw down non return valve fitted in line to connecting to common piping leading to standard discharge connection is acceptable means of prevention of sludge being transferred or discharge to the bilge system tank top or OWS.

5. Any malfunctioning Oily Water Monitoring and Control Systems and Oil Filtering Equipment must be promptly repaired. In case the necessary parts are not readily available, the Administration is to be informed at technical@register-iri.com in writing of the situation and of the place and date where the required parts and/or service can be obtained.

6. Where applicable, the Recognized Organization (RO) is also to be notified to attend and issue a short term IOPP Certificate for the duration until repairs can be completed. Otherwise, a Dispensation Letter/Letter of Acknowledgement, as appropriate, may be issued to allow the vessel to operate during the interim period. For issuance of short term certificate or dispensation letter/letter of acknowledgement following to be complied:

• No overboard discharges of oil and oily wastes, including sludge, will be permitted during the interim period. All material of this type must be retained aboard for discharge to a shore side facility;
• Overboard discharge valves associated with the inoperative equipment must be sealed with numbered seals in the closed position and signs or notices prohibiting the use of the valves, except for emergency conditions, must be posted;
• The crewmembers must be made aware that the equipment in question does not function properly and that it cannot be used;
• The Oil Record Book and other applicable logs must document the inoperative equipment and the numbered sealing of the overboard discharge valves;
• The appropriate coastal State authorities are notified, as required, of the defective equipment prior to arrival in port;
• The Administrator is notified in writing when the defective equipment has been repaired and is properly operating;
• The Master and Chief Engineer are held ultimately responsible for ensuring that no discharges are made using the defective equipment or otherwise in contravention of MARPOL.

• Ship owners/ operators and masters are advised to be guided by above

Enclosure:

1. Republic of Marshall Islands Marine Notice no. 2-013-3 dated Mar/2017.

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