.annex 4  .a4  .an4  .annex4

ENTERED INTO FORCE ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2003

REGULATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROM SHIPS

Chapter 1- General

Regulation 1	Definitions
Regulation 2	Applications
Regulation 3	Exceptions

Chapter 2 – Surveys and certification

Regulation 4	Surveys
Regulation 5	Issue or endorsement of a Certificate
Regulation 6	Issue or endorsement of a Certificate by another Government
Regulation 7	Form of Certificate
Regulation 8	Duration and validity of Certificate

Chapter 3 – Equipment and control of discharge

Regulation 9	Sewage systems
Regulation 10	Standard discharge connections
Regulation 11	Discharge of sewage

Chapter 4 – Reception facilities

Regulation 12

Reception facilities

Chapter-1 General

Regulation 1 – Definitions

SEWAGE MEANS

1. Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets, urinals and scuppers.
2. Drainage from medical premises via wash basins, wash tubes and scuppers located in such premises.
3. Drainage from spaces containing living animals
4. Other waste waters when mixed with the drainages defined above.

Regulation -2 Application 

• Applicable to ships 400 GRT & above
• ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry more than 15 persons; and

Regulation 3 – Exceptions

1 Regulation 11 of this Annex shall not apply to:   .1 the discharge of sewage from a ship necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship and those on board or saving life at sea; or   .2 the discharge of sewage resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment if all reasonable precautions have been taken before and after the occurrence of the damage, for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the discharge.

Chapter 2 – Surveys and certification

Regulation- 4 Surveys

• An initial survey before the ship is put in service or before the issuance of international sewage pollution prevention certificate for the first time. It includes complete survey of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with the requirements of this Annex.
• A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding five years. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with applicable requirements of this Annex.
• An additional survey either general or partial, according to the circumstances, shall be made after a repair. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made that the material and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are in all respects satisfactory and that the ship complies in all respects with the requirements of this Annex.

Regulation 5 – Issue or endorsement of Certificate

1. An International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate shall be issued, after an initial or renewal survey to any ship which is engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals. Validity should not exceed five years. 2. Such certificate must be issued and approved by an administration Regulation 6 – Issue or endorsement of a Certificate by another Government 1 At the request of the Administration, another foreign government may survey the ship and if satisfied that, shall issue or authorize the issue of an International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate to the ship. 2 A copy of the Certificate and a copy of the survey report shall be transmitted as soon as possible to the Administration requesting the survey. 3 The Certificate contain a statement that it has been issued at the request of the Administration and it shall have the same force and receive the same recognition as the Certificate issued by the ship’s own flag state administration. 4 No International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate shall be issued to a ship who flag state is not a party to the convention. Regulation 7 – Form of Certificate The International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate shall be drawn up in the form corresponding to the model given in this Annex. Certificate shall be at least in English, French or Spanish. Regulation 8 – Duration and validity of Certificate 1 An International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate shall be issued for a period specified by the Administration which shall not exceed five years. 2.1 When the renewal survey is completed within three months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate. 2.2 When the renewal survey is completed after the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate. 2.3 When the renewal survey is completed more than three months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of completion of the renewal survey   Chapter- 3 Equipment and control of discharge .a4c3 .an4c3 Regulation 9 – Sewage systems 1 to comply annex 4 Every ship shall be equipped with one of the following sewage systems: .1 a sewage treatment plant approved by the Administration, taking into account the standards and test methods developed by the Organization, or   .2 a sewage comminuting and disinfecting system approved by the Administration along with a storage tank for the temporary storage of sewage when the ship is less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land, or   .3 a holding tank of the capacity to the satisfaction of the Administration for the retention of all sewage, considering the operation of the ship, the number of persons on board and other relevant factors. The holding tank shall be constructed to the satisfaction of the Administration and shall have a means to indicate visually the amount of its contents.

Regulation 10 – Standard discharge connections

.a4sdc .annex 4 isc .annex 4 sdc .sdc .an4sdc

1 To enable pipes of reception facilities to be connected with the ship’s discharge pipeline, both lines shall be fitted with a standard discharge connection in accordance with the following table:

Standard dimensions of flanges for discharge connections

	ISC	Annex 1	Annex 4
Description
Outside Diameter (OD)	178mm	215mm	210mm
Inside Diameter (ID)	64mm	According to pipe, max 125 mm outer dia	According to pipe dia, max 100mm outer dia
Bolt Circle Diameter (PCD)	132mm	183mm	170mm
Slots in Flange	4 holes	6 holes	4 holes
Bolt Hole dia	19mm	22 mm	18mm
Bolt dia	16mm	20 mm	16mm
Flange Thickness	14.5 mm minimum	20 mm	16mm
Bolts & Nuts	4 bolts, 4 nuts	6 bolts, 6 nuts	4 bolts, 4 nuts
Bolt length	50mm	Suitable length	Suitable length
Washers	8 nos	10 bar	8 nos
Pressure	10 bar	6 bar	6 bar

Regulation 11 – Discharge of sewage .a4r11 .annex 4 discharge of sewage

1 Any discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when:   .1 the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using a system approved by the Administration, at a distance of more than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land, or sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, The sewage that has been stored in holding tanks shall not be discharged instantaneously but at a moderate rate when the ship is en route and proceeding at not less than 4 knots; the rate of discharge shall be approved by the Administration.   .2 the ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant which has been certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements   .2.1 the test results of the plant are laid down in the ship’s International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate; and   .2.2 the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids nor cause discoloration of the surrounding water.   3 When the sewage is mixed with wastes or wastewater covered by other Annexes of MARPOL 73/78, the requirements of those Annexes shall be complied with in addition to the requirements of this Annex.

Memorization technique – Regulation 11 – Discharge of Sewage

General Rule

Discharging sewage into the sea is prohibited, except under specific conditions.

Permitted Discharge Conditions

1. Comminuted and Disinfected Sewage
   • Distance: > 3 nautical miles from nearest land
   • System: Approved by Administration
2. Untreated Sewage
   • Distance: > 12 nautical miles from nearest land
3. Sewage from Holding Tanks
   • Ship speed: ≥ 4 knots
   • Discharge rate: Moderate, approved by Administration
4. Approved Sewage Treatment Plant

Certified by Administration

• Test results in International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate
• Effluent: No visible floating solids or water discoloration
• Mixed Waste
• When sewage is mixed with other wastes covered by MARPOL 73/78 Annexes, comply with requirements of all relevant Annexes.
• Key Points to Remember
• Distance Matters: 3 miles for treated, 12 miles for untreated sewage
• Speed Requirement: 4 knots minimum for holding tank discharge
• Certification: Treatment plants need proper certification
• Visual Test: No visible solids or discoloration from treatment plant effluent
• Mixed Waste: Additional rules apply when sewage is mixed with other wastes
• By focusing on these main points, you can more easily recall the essential requirements of Regulation 11 for sewage discharge into the sea.

Regulation 12 – Reception facilities

1 The Government of each Party to the Convention shall provide reception facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of sewage, without causing delay to ships, adequate to meet the needs of the ships using them.