.annex 5 .a5 .an5
Annex V- Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Contents
| Regulation 1 | Definitions |
| Regulation 2 | Application |
| Regulation 3 | Disposal of garbage outside special areas |
| Regulation 4 | Special requirements for discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms |
| Regulation 5 | Disposal of garbage within special areas |
| Regulation 6 | Exceptions |
| Regulation 7 | Reception facilities |
| Regulation 8 | Port State control on operational requirements |
| Regulation 9 | Placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping |
Regulation 1 – Definitions
For the purposes of this Annex:
(1) Garbage means all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste excluding fresh fish and parts thereof, generated during the normal operation of the ship and liable to be disposed of continuously or periodically except those substances which are defined or listed in other Annexes to the present Convention
Regulation 2 – Application
Unless expressly provided otherwise, the provisions of this Annex shall apply to all ships.
Regulation 3 – Disposal of garbage outside special areas (1) Subject to the provisions of regulations 4, 5 and 6 of this Annex:
(a) the disposal into the sea of all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues, is prohibited.
b) cooking oil prohibited
(b) the disposal into the sea of the following garbage shall be made as far as practicable from the nearest land but in any case, is prohibited if the distance from the nearest land is less than:
(i) 25 nautical miles for dunnage, lining and packing materials which will float;
(ii) 12 nautical miles for food wastes and all other garbage including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse;
(c) disposal into the sea of food wastes and all other garbage including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery may be permitted when it has passed through a comminuter or grinder and made as far as practicable from the nearest land but in any case is prohibited if the distance from the nearest land is less than 3 nautical miles. Such comminuted or ground garbage shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm.
(2) When the garbage is mixed with other discharges having different disposal or discharge requirements the more stringent requirements shall apply.
Memorization Technique – Regulation 3 – Disposal of garbage outside special areas -:
Prohibited Disposals
All plastics: Absolutely forbidden to dispose of in the sea
- Includes synthetic ropes, fishing nets, garbage bags
- Incinerator ashes from plastic products (may contain heavy metals, toxic residues)
- Cooking oil: Prohibited from disposal into the sea
Distance-Based Restrictions
| Type of Garbage | Minimum Distance from Nearest Land |
| Floating materials (dunnage, lining, packing) | 25 nautical miles |
| Food wastes and other garbage | 12 nautical miles |
| Comminuted/ground garbage | 3 nautical miles |
Special Conditions
- Comminuted/ground garbage:
- Must pass through a screen with openings ≤ 25 mm
- Includes food wastes, paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery
General Rule
- When different types of garbage are mixed, apply the strictest disposal requirement
To remember this regulation, focus on the “3 P’s”:
- Plastics: Never dispose in the sea
- Proximity: Different distances for different types of garbage
- Processing: Ground garbage has special rules
Regulation 4 – Special requirements for discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms
(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation, the disposal of any materials regulated by this Annex is prohibited from fixed or floating platforms engaged in the exploration, exploitation and associated offshore processing of sea-bed mineral resources, and from all other ships when alongside or within 500 m of such platforms.
(2) The disposal into the sea of food wastes may be permitted when they have been passed through a comminuter or grinder from such fixed or floating platforms located more than 12 nautical miles from land and all other ships when alongside or within 500 m of such platforms. Such comminuted or ground food wastes shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm.
Memorization Technique:
Regulation 4 – Special requirements for disposal of garbage from fixed or floating platforms
General Rule
- Disposal of regulated materials is prohibited from:
- Fixed or floating platforms involved in sea-bed mineral resource activities
- Ships within 500 m of these platforms
Exception for Food Wastes
- Food waste disposal is allowed under specific conditions:
- Must be comminuted or ground
- Platforms must be more than 12 nautical miles from land
- Applies to platforms and ships within 500 m of them
- Ground waste must pass through a screen with openings ≤ 25 mm
To help you remember this regulation, focus on the “3 P’s”:
- Platforms: Special rules apply to offshore platforms and nearby ships
- Prohibition: General ban on garbage disposal
- Processing: Exception for processed food waste under strict conditions
Remember that this regulation aims to protect the marine environment around offshore platforms by limiting garbage disposal. The key is to understand the general prohibition and the specific exception for processed food waste.
Regulation 6 – Discharge of garbage within special areas
Food Waste Discharge
- Allowed when ship is en route
- Must be at least 12 nautical miles from nearest land or ice shelf
- Must be comminuted or ground (able to pass through 25 mm screen)
- Cannot be contaminated with other garbage
- Introduced avian (derived from birds/poultry, eg. eggs) products prohibited in Antarctic unless sterilized
Cargo Residue Discharge
- Allowed under specific conditions:
- No harmful substances in washing water
- Solid bulk cargoes declared non-harmful by shippers
- No harmful cleaning agents used
- Both departure and destination ports within special area
- No adequate reception facilities at ports
- Must be at least 12 nautical miles from nearest land or ice shelf
Cleaning Agents
- Deck and external surface wash water can be discharged if agents are not harmful to marine environment
Antarctic Area Special Rules
- Ports must provide adequate reception facilities
- Ships must have capacity to retain all garbage while in Antarctic
- Arrangements for discharge after leaving area must be made
General Rule
- For mixed garbage, the strictest discharge requirements apply
To help you remember this regulation, focus on the “4 C’s”:
- Comminution: Food waste must be ground
- Contamination: Avoid mixing different types of waste
- Conditions: Specific rules for different types of discharge
- Caution: Stricter rules apply in special areas, especially Antarctic
Remember that this regulation aims to protect sensitive marine environments by strictly controlling garbage discharge in special areas. The focus is on minimizing harm through careful waste management and disposal practices.
Regulation 6 – Exceptions Regulations 3, 4 and 5 of this Annex shall not apply to:
(a) the disposal of garbage from a ship necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship and those on board or saving life at sea; or
(b) the escape of garbage resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment provided all reasonable precautions have been taken before and after the occurrence of the damage, for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the escape; or
(c) the accidental loss of synthetic fishing nets, provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent such loss
(1) The Government of each Party to the Convention undertakes to ensure the provision of facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of garbage, without causing undue delay to ships, and according to the needs of the ships using them.
(2) The Government of each Party shall notify the Organization for transmission to the Parties concerned of all cases where the facilities provided under this regulation are alleged to be inadequate.
Regulation 8 – Port State control on operational requirements*
(1) A ship when in a port of another Party is subject to inspection by officers duly authorized by such Party concerning operational requirements under this Annex, where there are clear grounds for believing that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the prevention of pollution by garbage.
(2) In the circumstances given in paragraph (1) of this regulation, the Party shall take such steps as will ensure that the ship shall not sail until the situation has been brought to order in accordance with the requirements of this Annex.
Memorization Technique – Regulation 8 – Port State control on operational requirements
Inspection Authority
- Ships in foreign ports are subject to inspection
- Inspections focus on operational requirements related to garbage pollution prevention
Grounds for Inspection
- Clear evidence that the master or crew lack familiarity with essential procedures
- Procedures in question relate to preventing pollution by garbage
Consequences
- If deficiencies are found, the ship may be detained
- The ship cannot leave until the situation is rectified
- Compliance with the Annex’s requirements must be ensured before sailing
To help you remember this regulation, focus on the “3 I’s”:
- Inspection: Foreign ports can inspect ships
- Incompetence: Lack of familiarity with garbage procedures triggers inspection
- Immobilization: Ships can be held until issues are resolved
Remember that this regulation empowers port states to enforce garbage pollution prevention measures on foreign ships. It emphasizes the importance of crew competence in environmental procedures and allows for significant action (detaining the ship) if deficiencies are found.
Regulation 9 – Placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping
1 (a) Every ship of 12 m or more in length overall shall display placards which notify the crew and passengers of the disposal requirements of regulations 3 and 5 of this Annex, as applicable.
(b) The placards shall be written in the working language of the ship’s personnel and, for ships engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of other Parties to the Convention, shall also be in English, French or Spanish.
(2) Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above, and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more, shall carry a garbage management plan which the crew shall follow. This plan shall provide written procedures for collecting, storing, processing and disposing of garbage, including the use of the equipment on board. It shall also designate the person in charge of carrying out the plan. Such a plan shall be in accordance with the guidelines developed by the Organization* and written in the working language of the crew.
(3) Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of other Parties to the Convention and every fixed and floating platform engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed shall be provided with a Garbage Record Book. The Garbage Record Book, whether as a part of the ship’s official log-book or otherwise, shall be in the form specified in the appendix to this Annex;
(a) each discharge operation, or completed incineration, shall be recorded in the Garbage Record Book and signed for on the date of the incineration or discharge by the officer in charge. Each completed page of the Garbage Record Book shall be signed by the master of the ship. The entries in the Garbage Record Book shall be at least in English, French or Spanish. Where the entries are also made in an official language of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, these entries shall prevail in case of a dispute or discrepancy;
(b) the entry for each incineration or discharge shall include date and time, position of the ship, description of the garbage and the estimated amount incinerated or discharged;
(c) the Garbage Record Book shall be kept on board the ship and in such a place as to be available for inspection in a reasonable time. This document shall be preserved for a period of two years after the last entry is made on the record;
(d) in the event of discharge, escape or accidental loss referred to in regulation 6 of this Annex an entry shall be made in the Garbage Record Book of the circumstances of, and the reasons for, the loss.
(4) The Administration may waive the requirements for Garbage Record Books for:
(a) any ship engaged on voyages of 1 hour or less in duration which is certified to carry 15 persons or more; or
(b) fixed or floating platforms while engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed.
Memorization Technique – Regulation 9 – Placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping
Placards
- Required for ships ≥ 12 m in length
- Must display disposal requirements
- Language: Working language of crew + English, French, or Spanish for international voyages
Garbage Management Plan
- Required for:
- Ships ≥ 400 gross tonnage
- Ships certified to carry ≥ 15 persons
- Contents:
- Written procedures for garbage handling
- Designation of person in charge
- Must be in crew’s working language
Garbage Record Book
- Required for:
- Ships ≥ 400 gross tonnage
- Ships certified to carry ≥ 15 persons on international voyages
- Fixed and floating platforms for sea-bed exploration/exploitation
- Recording requirements:
- Each discharge or incineration operation
- Each entry Signed by officer in charge.
- Each completed page is signed by master.
- Entries in English, French, or Spanish (minimum)
- Must be kept on board for 2 years after last entry
- Exemptions
- Administration may waive Garbage Record Book requirements for:
- Ships on voyages ≤ 1 hour with ≥ 15 persons
- Certain fixed or floating platforms
To help you remember this regulation, focus on the “3 P’s”:
- Placards: Visual reminders of disposal rules
- Plan: Garbage management procedures
- Paper trail: Detailed record-keeping of garbage operations
Remember that this regulation aims to ensure proper garbage management through clear communication (placards), established procedures (management plan), and accountability (record-keeping). The requirements vary based on ship size and passenger capacity, with a focus on international compliance.
Garbage record book part
P-1 ALL GARBAGE OTHER THAN CARGO
P-2 RESIDUE CARGO RESIDUE (HME & NON HME)
The special areas established under Annex V are:
- the Mediterranean Sea
- the Baltic Sea
- the Black Sea
- the Red Sea
- the Gulfs area
- the North Sea
- the Wider Caribbean Region and
- Antarctic Area
APPENDIX 1:
TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF GARBAGE DISCHARGE RESTRICTIONS
| Garbage type1 | All ships except platforms4 | Regulation 5 Offshore platforms located more than 12 nm from nearest land and ships when alongside or withinn 500 meters of such platforms4 | |
| Regulation 4 Outside special areas and Arctic waters (Distances are from the nearest land) | Regulation 6 Within special areas and Arctic waters (Distances are from the nearest land, nearest ice-shelf or nearest fast ice) | ||
| Food waste comminuted or ground2. | >3 nm, en route and as far as practicable | >12 nm, en route and as far as practicable | Discharge permitted |
| Food waste not comminuted or ground. | >12 nm, en route and as far as practicable | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited |
| Non-HME Cargo residues5,6 not contained in wash water. | >12 nm, en route and as far as practicable | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited |
| Non-HME Cargo residues 5,6contained in wash water. | >12 nm, en route and as far as practicable (subject to conditions in regulation 6.1.2 and paragraph 5.2.1.5 of part-II-A of the Polar Code) | ||
| Discharge prohibited HME Cargo residues contained or not in wash water. | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited |
| Cleaning agents and additives contained in cargo hold wash | Discharge permitted | >12 nm, en route and as far as practicable (subject to conditions in regulation 6.1.2 and paragraph 5.2.1.5 of part-II-A of the Polar Code) | Discharge prohibited |
| Cleaning agents and additives in deck and external surfaces wash water | Discharge permitted | ||
| Animal carcasses (should be split or otherwise treated to ensure the carcasses will sink immediately) | Must be en route and as far from the nearest land as possible. Should be >100 nm and maximum water depth | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited |
| All other garbage including plastics, synthetic ropes, fishing gear, plastic garbage bags, incinerator ashes, clinkers, cooking oil, floating dunnage, lining and packing materials, paper, rags, glass, metal bottles, crockery and similar refuse | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited | Discharge prohibited |