3 Environmental Protection
3.1 General
The provisions of MARPOL 73/78 as amended must be observed. Special attention shall be given to:
- Annex I – Definition of special areas including the Baltic Sea area; and
- Annex VI – Regulations for air pollution prevention from ships, where the Baltic Sea has been designated as an SOx Emission Control Area (SECA).
The Baltic Sea is under intensive surveillance for pollution and violations of traffic rules. Shore based radar, aircraft, helicopters, and vessels of the coast guard and/or maritime police are used for surveillance. The use of electronic remote-sensing equipment by aircraft enables almost any kind of oil pollution to be detected regardless of visibility, even at night. Detection is even possible when detergents have been added to the oil discharged. Surveillance helicopters and vessels are equipped with sampling devices.
Any person found guilty of polluting the Baltic Sea can be punished. Masters are strongly recommended to make use of the reception facilities available in ports for oil or chemical slops, waste, residues, garbage and any other pollutants on board ship.
3.2 PSSA status of the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea area, with the exception of waters under sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Russian Federation, is classified as a PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Area).
3.3 MARPOL reports
Reporting requirements in accordance with Article 17 of Directive 2002/59/EC (Reporting of incidents and accidents at sea) and in addition to MARPOL (Article 8 and Protocol I to that Convention) as implemented by the national legislation of EU and EEA member states, will apply to all ships of 300 GT or more with the exception of:
- fishing vessels;
- traditional ships; or
- recreational craft having a length of less than 45 metres; and
- ships with respect to bunker fuel of less than 5 000 tonnes.
MARPOL reports can be sent via every coastal radio station.
The responsible organisations for MARPOL reports are listed below. The organisations co-ordinate the necessary measures for assistance and rescue, when incidents occur and cargo (especially dangerous or polluting goods) is damaged, or when the sea is, or may be, polluted.
See list of responsible organizations for MARPOL reports
The organisations co-ordinate the necessary measures for assistance and rescue, when incidents occur and cargo (especially dangerous or polluting goods) is damaged, or when the sea is, or may be, polluted.