The USCG issued a Policy Letter in January 2006 to guide Port State Control Officers in their inspections, to ensure ships are complying with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I. The document contains detailed and comprehensive information which will be of great value to shipboard personnel as well as shoreside technical management.

Members are recommended to make the document a required reading for the relevant shipboard or shoreside personnel, and to review their internal procedures on oily-water separator (OWS) systems in light of the information contained in the document.

The document can be found on the USCG's website at:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/moc/pol0601.pdf

Source of information:

Loss Prevention Department

UK P&I Club

Lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com