🔍 Key Concepts

• 33 CFR Subchapter O (Pollution), especially 33 CFR Part 155 dealing with vessel response and oil pollution plans • Purpose of a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan (SOPEP) – to be current with the ship’s operations, equipment, and contacts • How often safety- and pollution-related plans are typically reviewed to stay accurate and effective

💭 Think About

• Think about how quickly contact information, company details, and operating areas can change. Would a very long review interval keep the plan useful in a real spill? • Compare the choices with what you know about other required shipboard safety and emergency plans – are they usually checked rarely, or on a fairly regular basis? • Ask yourself which interval best matches the regulatory goal: ensuring the plan is up to date whenever an oil pollution incident occurs.

✅ Before You Answer

• Look in 33 CFR Part 155 for the exact wording on how often the plan must be reviewed (not just updated or submitted). • Confirm whether the regulation mentions a specific recurring time period (like every year or every two years) rather than an event-based review only. • Verify that the required review period is short enough to keep emergency contact lists and procedures current for pollution response.