🔍 Key Concepts

• MARPOL Annex V garbage disposal regulations • Definition of special areas under Annex V (like the North Sea) • Differences between floating dunnage/packing materials and other types of garbage (like food waste or plastics)

💭 Think About

• Think about how MARPOL treats materials that can float and create hazards to navigation or the marine environment. Are the rules stricter for these? • Ask yourself: in a special area, are the distance-from-land requirements for disposing of floating dunnage more or less restrictive than in non‑special areas? • Consider whether broken plywood dunnage is more similar to plastics (never allowed overboard) or food waste (sometimes allowed at certain distances).

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm in Annex V how dunnage, lining and packing materials that float are classified and what distance (in nautical miles) is required in a special area. • Verify whether Annex V allows any disposal of this type of floating material in a special area, or whether it must always be retained onboard. • Double‑check that you are looking at the special area column, not the general sea area column, when reviewing distance requirements.