2.1 The requirements of MARPOL
Annex I relating to oil content monitoring of oil tanker ballast
and tank washing water are set out in regulation
31, which stipulates that oil tankers of 150 tons gross tonnage
and above should be equipped with an approved monitoring system and
that such system should record continuously:
-
.1 the discharge of oil in litres per nautical
mile; and
-
.2 the total quantity of oil discharged, or alternatively,
the oil content of the effluent and the rate of discharge.
In both cases, the record should be identifiable as to time
and date and should be kept for at least three years.
2.2
Regulation
31 also stipulates that the system should come into operation
when there is any discharge of effluent into the sea and should be
such as will ensure that any discharge of oily mixture is automatically
stopped when the instantaneous rate of discharge of oil exceeds that
permitted by regulation 34.1.