REGULATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROM SHIPS.
Sewage Means :
a) Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets, urinals
b) Drainage from medical premises (dispensary, sick bay, etc.) via wash basins, wash tubs and scuppers located in such premises.
c) Drainage from spaces containing living animals : or
d) Other waste waters when mixed with the drainages defined above.
Holding tank : Means a tank used for the collection and storage of sewage.
Brief explanation of Annex IV
Annex applies to all ships more than 400 G.T. and to those less than 400 G.T. that carry more than 15 persons. Ships are required to meet certain equipment requirements. Survey is required and certification, in a prescribed form, is necessary for ships trading internationally. Ports are required to provide reception facilities for sewage from ships adequate to meet the needs of ships using them with the help of standard discharge connection.
2.1 Initial survey of sewage treatment plant, comminuting and disinfecting plant, holding tank, pipe line for discharging sewage to reception facility and standard shore connection, shall be carried out for issuing international sewage pollution prevention certificate for the first time.
2.2 Periodical survey ,Initial, Renewal, Damage Survey etc to be done .
2.3 ISPP certificate, issued after above survey, shall be valid for 5 years but may be extended by 3 months under harmonized survey system.
On transfer of the ship to another state, the valid certificate shall remain valid for 5 months only.
2.4 Standard dimensions of flanges used for discharge connection
Outside Dia: 210 mm
– inner Dia: According to pipe outside diameter
– Bolt Circle Dia: 170mm
– Slots in flanges: 4 Holes, 18mm in diameter, equidistantly placed on a bolt circle of the above diameter, slotted to the flange periphery. The slot width is to be 18 mm
– Flange thickness: 16mm
– Bolts and Nuts: 4 nos , each of 16 mm in diameter and of suitable length
– The flange is designed to accept pipes up to a max internal pressure of 100 mm and shall be of steel or other equivalent material having a flat face . This flange together with a suitable material shall be suitable for a service pressure of 600 kPa. Passenger ferries may be fitted with a Quick Connection coupling.
- Discharge Conditions :The discharge of sewage from ships other than passenger ships in all areas and discharge of sewage from passenger ships outside special areas is as follows is prohibited except when
- the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved system at a distance of more than 3 miles from nearest land or sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected at a distance of more than 12 miles from nearest land provided that the sewage has been stored in holding tanks, or sewage originating from spaces containing living animals, shall not be instaneously discharged but at a moderate rate when the ship is en riute and proceeding at not less than 4 knots or
- the ship has an approved STP and the effluent does not produce visible floating solids nor cause discolouration of water
- the ship shall comply with port rules when in port if deviation from the norms is permitted
- DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE FROM PASSENGER SHIPS WITHIN A SPECIAL AREA( BALTIC SEA)
- the ship should use a STP when in special area and the effluent shall not produce visible floating matter or cause discolouration of water OR
- store the sewage in holding tank and discharge same when the vessel leaves special area
- When the sewage is mixed with wastes or waste water covered by the other annexes of the convention, the requirements of those annexes as well as this annex shall be complied with.
- The above criteria will not apply if the discharge is
- Necessary for the safety of ship or life, or
- Due to damage to the ship, provided that precautions were taken before and after the damage to prevent it.
- Standard discharge connection, and a pipe as per specifications, shall be fitted to the pipe line for discharging sewage to reception facility.