How should you handle oily bilge water and fueling discharges?

• A. Do not discharge oily bilge water; use separators where permitted and dispose of waste properly.
• B. Flush oily bilge water overboard with bilge pump.
• C. Discharge oily bilge water as needed.
• D. Dispose of waste only at port.

Answer: (A)

Preventing oil from entering the water is the primary goal. Oily bilge water and fueling discharges pollute the marine environment and are tightly regulated. The proper approach is to keep oily bilge water on board, treat it with an approved oily-water separator so any discharge meets the required oil-content standards (typically very low), and dispose of any collected oily waste at port reception facilities. This keeps pollution from reaching the water and ensures compliance with regulations.

Flushing oily bilge water overboard, discharging it as needed, or disposing only at port without following proper containment and treatment procedures isn’t compliant or safe. The best practice reflects both environmental protection and regulatory requirements: separate and treat on board, discharge only under allowed conditions if at all, and dispose of waste where facilities are provided.