Where this sits
Governing: STCW Table A-VI/1-4 (pollution prevention); MARPOL Annexes I, IV and V; SI 2019/42. Builds on: L1.1.
The PSSR standard does not expect you to run an oily water separator. It expects you to know that pollution of the marine environment is a real harm, to know the basic rules, and to follow the procedures in the vessel's safety management system. On a superyacht most of the pollution risk comes from the interior and deck departments: garbage, cleaning chemicals, grey water and wash-down.
Garbage (MARPOL Annex V)
Annex V generally prohibits the discharge of all garbage into the sea, with narrow exceptions. The one to remember is simple: plastics never go over the side, anywhere. That includes synthetic ropes, fishing line, plastic bags and the packaging that arrives with every provisioning run.
| Requirement | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Placards telling crew and passengers the disposal rules | Every ship 12 m in length or over |
| Garbage management plan | Ships of 100 GT and above, or certified to carry 15 persons or more |
| Garbage record book | Ships of 100 GT and above, or certified to carry 15 persons or more |
Food waste may be discharged only under strict conditions and at specified distances from land, en route, with tighter rules in special areas. The Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, Red Sea, the Gulfs, North Sea, Wider Caribbean and Antarctic are all Annex V special areas, which covers most of the yachting calendar. In practice most yachts land all garbage ashore.
CAUTION: Guests do not read placards A guest will throw a cigarette end, a straw or a napkin over the rail without thinking. Politely stop it, pick it up if you can, and log anything that went in.
Sewage and grey water (Annex IV)
Annex IV applies to ships on international voyages of 400 GT and above, or certified to carry more than 15 persons. Untreated sewage may be discharged only more than 12 nm from land, en route at not less than 4 knots. Many marinas and national authorities go further and prohibit any discharge alongside or at anchor. Know which valve positions the chief engineer has ordered and never change them yourself.
Oil (Annex I)
For ships of 400 GT and above, machinery-space oily water may be discharged only while en route, through approved oil filtering equipment, at 15 ppm or less. A non-tanker of 400 GT and above keeps an Oil Record Book Part I, preserved for three years after the last entry (SI 2019/42).
Deck crew cause most oil spills on yachts through:
- refuelling tenders and toys from jerry cans or the yacht's own supply;
- hydraulic leaks on passerelles, cranes and davits;
- wash-down that carries residues from the lazarette or garage out through the scuppers.
What PSSR expects you to do
- Know where the spill kit is and how to use it.
- Plug scuppers before any bunkering or fuel transfer.
- Segregate garbage exactly as the plan says.
- Report any discharge, however small, to the officer of the watch.
- Never cover up a spill; the log entry protects the yacht and you.
TIP: Chemicals Interior cleaning products go down the grey water system. Use only what the chief stew and engineer have approved; some products upset biological sewage treatment plants.