Seamanship

Pollution Control and Marine

Mammal Protection

UNCLASSIFIED

References
NAVEDTRA 12968-D Lookout Training Handbook,
Chapter 13
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/
OPNAVINST 5090.1C, The Environmental and Natural
Resources Program Manual
Pollution Control, NSTM 593

Terminal Objective

Given a situation DISCUSS the pollution abatement

procedures and marine mammal protection methods
utilized by the Navy IAW OPNAVINST 5090.1B

Enabling Objectives

DEFINE Hazardous Material (HM), Hazardous Waste, Oily Waste, and Waste Oil
DISCUSS the legislation that governs the discharge of oily waste
STATE the discharge limitations for black water, gray water, plastics, solid waste
DESCRIBE the actions required for an oil spill inside the U.S. Contiguous waters
and outside U.S. Contiguous water
DISCUSS actions required for an oil spill inport
DISCUSS all hands responsibilities for Hazardous Material Control and
Management (HMC&M ) to include proper stowage and marking of various HM
containers
DISCUSS the Navys policy with regards to marine species protection
particularly the Protective Measures Assessment Protocol (PMAP)
STATE the reporting requirements for a whale strike or taking of a marine
mammal

Introduction

Anti-Pollution Legislation

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(MARPOL): international convention covering prevention of pollution of the
marine environment by ships.

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS): implements MARPOL for the
U.S.

Clean Water Act (CWA): Prohibits the discharge of oil in a harmful quantity
into all waters within 12 nm of the U.S. coast. Authorizes DOD to govern the
design, construction, installation and operation of marine sanitation devices
(MSDs) on board vessels owned and operated by DOD.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates the disposal
of hazardous solid waste generated aboard Navy ships.

Terminology
Hazardous Material (HM): Any material that may pose a substantial
hazard to human health or the environment. Also includes excess HM
in properly sealed containers waiting for use.
Hazardous Waste: A solid waste or combination of solid wastes which
may cause serious threat to life or cause irreversible illness. Stronger
term for dangerousness.
Oily Waste: Oil that mixes with water or other fluids such that the
mixture is no longer useful.
Waste Oil: oil whose characteristic have changed markedly since being
originally refined and has become unsuitable for further shipboard use.
Can be recycled ashore for further use.
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Terminology

Contiguous Zone: A zone of the

ocean extending from 3-12 nm from
the U.S. coastline.

Territorial Sea: A zone of the ocean

extending from the U.S. coastline out
to 3 nm from shore.

Grey Water: water from deck drains,

heads, showers, dishwashers, and
laundries

Black Water: Sewage

Oily Sheen: excess of 15 to 20 ppm of

oil may be sufficient to cause a sheen

Terminology

Pollution Control Devices: Processing devices

for treatment and storage of waste vary by ship
but may include the following:
Plastic processors
Garbage shredders
Oil Content Monitors (OCMs)
Bilge Water Processing Tank (BWPT)
Oil/Water Separators (OWSs)
Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs)
Collection, Holding, and Transfer (CHT)

Navy Discharge Restrictions

AREA

SEWAGE-Black Water

GRAY WATER

OILY WASTE

0-3 NM

No discharge

If CHT system can collect, it

should be pumped out when
pierside. If not, discharge is
permitted

No sheen. If OCM onboard,

discharge <15 ppm oil

3-12 NM

Direct discharge
permitted

Direct discharge permitted

No sheen. If OCM onboard,

discharge <15 ppm oil

12-25 NM

Direct discharge
permitted

Direct discharge permitted

If equipped with OCM,

discharge <15 ppm oil. Ships
with OWS or BWPT but no
OCM must process all
machinery space bilge water
through OWS or BWPT.

> 25 NM

Direct discharge
permitted

Direct discharge permitted

Same as 12-25 NM

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Navy Discharge Restrictions

AREA

GARBAGE Nonplastics

GARBAGE Plasitcs

HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS

MEDICAL WASTE
Infectious and Sharps

0-3 NM

No discharge

No discharge

No discharge

No discharge. Steam
sterilize, store, and transfer
ashore.

3-12 NM

Pulped food, cardboard, No discharge

and paper waste may be
discharged

No discharge

No discharge. Steam
sterilize, store, and transfer
ashore.

No discharge

No discharge except
as permitted by
appendix L

No discharge. Steam
sterilize, store, and transfer
ashore.

No discharge

No discharge except
as permitted by
appendix L

No discharge. Steam
sterilize, store, and transfer
ashore.

12-25 NM Bagged shredded glass

and metal waste
may be discharged

> 25 NM

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Direct discharge
permitted. If pulpers
are available, should
always be used

Navy Discharge Restrictions

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Oil Spill At-Sea Actions

Inside the Contiguous Zone
Notify the shoreside Navy On-Scene Coordinator(NOSC) by the
most expeditious means possible
Notify the National Response Center (NRC) by telephone
Take immediate actions to mitigate the effects of the spill
Follow up by submitting a naval message
Outside the Contiguous Zone
Initiate immediate action to mitigate the effects of the spill
Notify the designated fleet NOSC by naval message using the
applicable format for oil or HS
The fleet NOSC shall implement the applicable fleet NOSC Oil and
Hazardous Substance Spill Response Plan
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Oil Spill Inport Actions

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Region specific guidance

ie. COMNAVREGMIDLANTINST 5090.3 or Navy Region Southwest Afloat
Environmental Quick Response Guide
Provides all applicable phone numbers

Actions
Cease any pumping, transferring, or discharge that could be causing the spill
Call away ships Response Team to prevent spread of spill and begin clean-up
efforts
Notify Port Ops Environmental: will come to the scene and decide if further
action is required
Notify NRC and any regional environmental agency
Release Oil Spill Report
Cause, Quantity discharges, Quantity recovered, Notifications made, etc
Investigation will be conducted by ISIC within 72 hours following spill

HAZMAT Precautions

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Hazardous Material Control and Management (HMC&M): Navy Safety and

Occupational Health program

All Hands Responsibilities:

Properly stow or return HM to an approved locker upon completion of use
Maintain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all HM issued or
received
Properly use and handle HM in accordance with the MSDS
Ensure HM is labeled correctly in accordance with the MSDS
Collect and segregate any residue resulting from use of HM for return to
the supply department
Report any spills of HM to the officer of the deck and/or damage control
central
Annually complete HM awareness training

Marine Species Awareness

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Marine Species Legislation

Marine Mammal Protection Act: Prohibits deliberately harming or
taking marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high
seas.
Endangered Species Act: Prohibits actions that would affect any
endangered species or critical habitat listed on the Species List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
Coral Reefs - Executive Order 13089
Naval Policy: No Navy vessel shall deliberately harass a marine
mammal. Commanders and commanding officers shall plan and act to
protect marine mammals during operations.
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Protective Measures
Protective Measures Assessment Protocol
(PMAP) is CD-ROM tool that provides COs
with environmental situational awareness and
standardized operating procedures
Lookouts are first line of defense for
mammals. Training is critical. Naval vessels
practice avoidance and, as practicable, keep
away from whales

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Reporting Procedures
Reporting a whale strike or stranding
OPREP-3 Navy Blue
Include: Potential naval activity involved in the area, sonar events,
mitigation factors in place at time of strike, individual who
discovered mammal, etc.

Reporting of other incidents with mammals shall be reported using the

Unit SITREP format, without the flagword SITREP
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Questions?

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