What is a MARPOL special area, what must you do in one, what is a PSSA, and does India have one?
Short answer
| MARPOL special area | PSSA | |
|---|---|---|
| What | a MARPOL construct with stricter discharge standards in the Annex | an IMO designation of a vulnerable area (A.982(24)) |
| Who decides | the MARPOL Annex | IMO through the MEPC |
| Effect | automatic: retain, do not discharge | only through associated protective measures: routeing, areas to be avoided, reporting |
| Examples | Mediterranean, Baltic, Red Sea, Gulfs area, Gulf of Aden | Great Barrier Reef, Wadden Sea, Baltic Sea area, Galápagos |
| India | not a special area | none on the IMO list |
- Special area: a sea area where MARPOL imposes stricter mandatory discharge controls; defined per Annex, so always name the Annex.
- Annex I: outside, discharge only en route through 15 ppm equipment with monitor and automatic stop (regulation 15); inside, in effect prohibited: retain and land.
- Other Annexes: V garbage stricter inside (regulation 6); II and IV retain; the Annex VI counterpart is the ECA (regulation 14): sulphur 0.10% instead of 0.50%, Tier III NOx.
- PSSA: designated by IMO through the MEPC for ecological, socio-economic or scientific significance (A.982(24)); it bites only through associated protective measures; 14 designated (MEPC.1/Circ.778/Rev.1).
- India: no PSSA in Indian waters on that list; Indian coastal waters are not a special area; check the live MEPC list first.
- As Chief Engineer: entering one I stop bilge discharge, retain garbage, change to 0.10% fuel in time and record entry and exit in the ORB and GRB.
Full answer
The full answer explains each point step by step, with the regulations and figures behind it and the discussion from other candidates. It is in the MEO Class I section of the Marine One forum, open to members enrolled for the MEO Class I exam.