Search Legislation

Advanced Search

The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made).

Control of discharge of oil from ships

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

25.—(1) Subject to regulations 21 to 23, and paragraph (2), the discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture from the machinery space of any ship is prohibited.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to the following exceptions—

(a)in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage outside special areas except in Arctic waters, when the conditions specified in regulation 15, paragraph 2 of Annex I are satisfied;

(b)in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage only part of which is in a special area, when—

(i)the discharge is made outside of a special area except in Arctic waters; and

(ii)the conditions specified in regulation 15.2 of Annex I are satisfied;

(c)in the case of ships of 400 GT and above on a voyage in special areas, when the conditions specified in regulation 15.3 of Annex I are satisfied; and

(d)in the case of ships of less than 400 GT on a voyage in any area except the Antarctic area and Arctic waters, when the conditions specified in regulation 15.6 of Annex I are satisfied.

(3) Subject to regulation 21, the discharge into the sea in the Antarctic area of oil or oily mixtures from any ship is prohibited and the exceptions referred to in paragraph (2)(c) do not apply.

(4) So far as is reasonably practicable the Secretary of State must, on receipt of a report of visible traces of oil observed on or below the surface of the water in the immediate vicinity of a ship or its wake, launch an investigation to determine whether provisions in this regulation have been contravened.

(5) An investigation launched under paragraph (4) must in particular include an examination of—

(a)the wind and sea conditions;

(b)the track and speed of the ship;

(c)other possible sources of the visible traces of oil in the relevant vicinity; and

(d)any relevant oil discharge records.

(6) The discharge into the sea of—

(a)chemicals or other substances in quantities or concentrations which are hazardous to the marine environment; or

(b)chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of circumventing the conditions of discharge specified in regulation 15 of Annex I,

is prohibited.

(7) Oil residues which cannot be discharged into the sea in compliance with regulation 15 of Annex I must be retained on board for subsequent discharge to reception facilities.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Memorandum

Explanatory Memorandum sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Statutory Instrument accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Statutory Instrument or Draft Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament from June 2004 onwards.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:

  • Why the government is proposing to intervene;
  • The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
  • How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
  • The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources