When would a U.S. merchant vessel in ocean...

🔍 Key Concepts

• MARPOL Annex V (Garbage Pollution) applies based on a ships flag State and also where it is operating • Difference between U.S.-flag vessels obligations and the coastal States status (whether that coastal State is a MARPOL party or not) • How distance from land (e.g., 25 NM) affects what garbage can be discharged, versus whether MARPOL applies at all

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: for a U.S.-flag merchant vessel, does MARPOL Annex V turn off at some distance from land, or in certain foreign waters, or does it follow the ship everywhere? • Consider whether being outside navigable waters of the United States changes an international treaty obligation for a U.S.-flag vessel, or just changes which domestic regulations may also apply. • Think about whether the status of another country (being non-signatory to MARPOL) cancels the U.S. treaty obligations on its own ships, or only affects ships flying that non-signatorys flag.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify whether MARPOL obligations for a ship of a Party State depend primarily on flag, not location. • Check if distance from land (like 25 NM) is about discharge rules (what/when you may discharge) rather than about being subject or not subject to Annex V at all. • Confirm whether a U.S.-flag vessel ever loses MARPOL Annex V applicability solely because it is in foreign waters or high seas.

When would a U.S. merchant vessel in ocean service NOT subject to the requirements of Annex V to MARPOL 73/78?

A U.S. vessel in ocean service is ALWAYS subject to MARPOL.

When the vessel is outside of 25 nautical miles from nearest land

When the vessel is outside of the navigable waters of the United States

When the vessel is in the waters of those countries not signatory to MARPOL

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer