Pollution prevention: what SIRE 2.0 inspectors ask and find
Oil record books, the garbage management plan and ODME records are compared with soundings, printouts and the bridge clock.
What the inspector wants to see
- Oil Record Book Part I and II entries checked against tank soundings
- Garbage management plan and record book
- ODME records and printouts, clock synchronised with the bridge
Questions inspectors ask about Pollution prevention
Your BWTS is not working. What certificate and notifications are needed?
Inspectors asked whether a short-term certificate was issued for the BWTS and whether the arrival port and coastal state were told the BWTS was non-functional.
What happens if the ship gets a CII 'D' rating three years in a row?
The notes describe D as 'satisfactory' and say the final CII phase began in January 2025. Know your attained CII and the follow-up actions required.
By when must class issue the Statement of Compliance for the previous year?
Before 31 May of the following year (the notes link this to EEXI/EEDI). EEDI is mandatory for ships built after 1 January 2013.
What should the Garbage Management Plan look like?
Vessel-specific (not a generic fleet file), reviewed, read by all crew with a record, and include company measures to reduce garbage.
How is oily water from forecastle store or BT room bilges handled?
Show an expanded procedure for monitoring these bilges and for disposal, not just the words 'dispose safely'.
How do you prevent misuse of the ODME sampling line?
Fit an environmental seal on the ferrule joint at the processing box so a fresh water line cannot be connected.
There are 37 Pollution prevention questions in NilObs, with spaced repetition so the ones you miss come back. Practise them free.
Real Pollution prevention observations, and how to avoid them
The procedure for MARPOL Annex VI (NOx) record books did not say what to record, who records, how to make late entries or corrections, or when the Master signs.
Avoid it: Know who keeps each Annex VI record book, how late entries and corrections are made and when the Master signs.
The ballast water treatment system was out of service with its electro-chlorination unit dismantled; logged and acknowledged by shore months earlier.
Avoid it: Track long-standing defects with the office and know the contingency measures while the BWTS is down.
A BWTS filter in the pump room was leaking water continuously.
Avoid it: Report and repair BWTS leaks promptly and track them in the defect system.
The local differential pressure transmitter on a BWTS filter was blank while the system was running and the CCR showed readings.
Avoid it: Compare local BWTS instruments with remote readings and report blank displays.
The SMS required an OWS operational check before port arrival, logged in the engine log and ORB, but none was recorded for this port.
Avoid it: Follow the pre-arrival OWS test requirement and record it in both the engine log and the ORB.
A shore calibration of the oily water separator equipment had not been recorded in the Oil Record Book.
Avoid it: Record OWS and oil content meter calibrations and servicing in the ORB.
A short-term BWM certificate was in force because the BWTS had failed; it required a risk assessment, contingency measures, coastal state notice and BWRB entries.
Avoid it: Know the conditions on any short-term certificate and keep evidence that each one is being met.
The BWTS was out of order because of a UV power unit fault alarm.
Avoid it: Report BWTS failures promptly and follow the ballast water contingency measures in the BWMP.
Who answers for Pollution prevention
Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Engine Cadet, Bosun, Pumpman, Oiler / Motorman, Wiper, Technical Superintendent, Port Captain, HSEQ Manager, Other role. NilObs picks the questions and the daily drill for your role.
Rehearse Pollution prevention before your next inspection.
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Other topics
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