For the purpose of this Directive:

1. 1.

   ‘Marpol 73/78’ shall mean the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 and its 1978 Protocol, in its up-to-date version;

2. 2.

   ‘polluting substances’ shall mean substances covered by Annexes I (oil) and II (noxious liquid substances in bulk) to Marpol 73/78;

3. 3.

   ‘discharge’ shall mean any release howsoever caused from a ship, as referred to in Article 2 of Marpol 73/78;

4. 4.

   ‘ship’ shall mean a seagoing vessel, irrespective of its flag, of any type whatsoever operating in the marine environment and shall include hydrofoil boats, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles and floating craftF1;

5. 5.

   F2‘ Legal person ’ shall mean any legal entity in possession of such status under applicable national law, other than States themselves or public bodies in the exercise of State authority or public international organisations.