{"id":"marine-pollution-regulations-2003","name":"MARINE POLLUTION REGULATIONS 2003","slug":"marine-pollution-regulations-2003","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176991,"registerId":"nt-marine-pollution-regulations-2003-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"MARINE POLLUTION REGULATIONS 2003","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nMARINE POLLUTION REGULATIONS 2003\nAs in force at 10 March 2020\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 1 Exemptions\n4 Oil tankers ....................................................................................... 2\n5 Ships other than oil tankers ............................................................. 2\n6 Ballast and unprocessed oily mixtures ............................................ 3\nDivision 2 Shipboard emergency plan\n7 Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan ........................................... 3\nDivision 3 Oil record book\n8 Oil record book to be carried on ship or retained ............................. 4\n9 Form of oil record book .................................................................... 5\n10 Entries in oil record book ................................................................. 5\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 1 Exemptions\n11 Categorization of substances .......................................................... 6\n12 Category A substances ................................................................... 6\n13 Category B substances ................................................................... 6\n14 Category C substances ................................................................... 7\n15 Category D substances ................................................................... 8\n16 Conditions for exempted discharges ............................................... 8\nDivision 2 Certain noxious liquid substances to be\ntreated as oil\n17 Conditions of carrying oil-like substance ......................................... 9\n\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 ii\nDivision 3 Cargo record book\n18 Cargo record book ........................................................................... 9\n19 Form of cargo record book ............................................................ 10\n20 Entries in cargo record book .......................................................... 10\nDivision 4 Tank washing\n21 Category A substances ................................................................. 11\n22 Approved washing procedure – Category A substances ............... 12\n23 Alternative washing procedure – Category A substances ............. 12\n24 Category B and C substances ....................................................... 13\n25 Category D substances ................................................................. 14\n26 Discharge from slop tank ............................................................... 14\nPart 4 Packaged harmful substances\n27 Jettisoning of harmful substances ................................................. 14\nPart 5 Garbage\nDivision 1 Garbage management and records\n28 Ships to display placards ............................................................... 15\n29 Garbage management plan ........................................................... 15\n30 Garbage record book ..................................................................... 16\n31 Exemption from garbage record book requirement ....................... 16\n32 Form of garbage record book ........................................................ 16\n33 Entries in garbage record book...................................................... 17\nDivision 2 Disposal of garbage into the sea\n34 Food waste .................................................................................... 17\n35 Mixture of garbage and other matter ............................................. 18\nPart 6 Transfer operations\n36 Record keeping ............................................................................. 18\nPart 7 Reporting requirements\n37 Notification of reportable incident .................................................. 19\n38 Time for report about incident ........................................................ 20\nPart 8 Samples\n39 Integrity and security of samples taken for analysis ...................... 20\n40 Analyst's report .............................................................................. 20\n\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 iii\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\n41 Record books obtainable from Chief Executive Officer ................. 20\n42 Registered office............................................................................ 21\n43 Labour costs .................................................................................. 21\n44 Compensation ............................................................................... 21\nSchedule 1 Recordable operations and events\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 10 March 2020\n____________________\nMARINE POLLUTION REGULATIONS 2003\nRegulations under the Marine Pollution Act 1999\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Marine Pollution\nRegulations 2003.\n2 Commencement\nThese Regulations come into operation on the commencement of\nsection 99 of the Act.\n3 Definitions\nIn these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\napproved means approved by the Chief Executive Officer.\nfishing vessel means a vessel that is used wholly or principally for\nfishing operations and includes a vessel that is used:\n(a) to provide food, fuel and other supplies to persons who are\nengaged in fishing operations; or\n(b) to transport crew and other persons who are engaged in\nfishing operations.\nfood waste means any spoiled or unspoiled victual substances\ngenerated in the normal operation of the ship, and includes fruits,\nvegetables, dairy products, poultry, meat products, food scraps and\nfood particles.\nIMO means the International Maritime Organization.\nIOPP Certificate means an International Oil Pollution Prevention\nCertificate issued in accordance with Annex I to MARPOL.\noily mixture means a mixture with any oil content.\n\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 1 Exemptions\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 2\nregistered office has the meaning given by regulation 42.\ntrading ship means a ship (other than a Commonwealth vessel\nunder the Commonwealth Navigation Act or a fishing vessel) that is\nused for or in connection with any business or commercial activity\nand includes a vessel that is used wholly or principally for:\n(a) the carriage of passengers or cargo for hire or reward; or\n(b) the provision of services to ships or shipping whether for\nreward or otherwise.\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 1 Exemptions\n4 Oil tankers\nSection 14 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge of oil\nfrom an oil tanker from its machinery space bilges (other than its\ncargo pump room bilges) if:\n(a) the oil does not include oil cargo residue;\n(b) the tanker is proceeding en route;\n(c) the oil content of the effluent does not exceed 15 parts in\none million parts; and\n(d) the tanker has in operation oily-water separating equipment in\naccordance with the tanker's IOPP Certificate.\n5 Ships other than oil tankers\nSection 14 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge of oil\nor an oily mixture from a ship that has a gross tonnage of 400 or\nmore and is not an oil tanker if:\n(a) the ship is proceeding en route;\n(b) the oil content of the effluent does not exceed 15 parts in\none million parts; and\n(c) the ship has in operation equipment required under\nRegulation 16 of Annex I to MARPOL.\n\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 2 Shipboard emergency plan\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 3\n6 Ballast and unprocessed oily mixtures\n(1) Section 14 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge of\nclean or segregated ballast (within the meaning of Annex I to\nMARPOL) or an unprocessed oily mixture if:\n(a) the oily mixture does not originate from the cargo pump room\nbilges of the ship;\n(b) the oily mixture does not include oil cargo residue; and\n(c) the oil content of the mixture without dilution does not exceed\n15 parts in one million parts.\n(2) In this regulation, a reference to an oily mixture does not include an\noily mixture that contains:\n(a) chemicals or other substances in quantities or concentrations\nthat are hazardous to the marine environment; or\n(b) chemicals or other substances that have been introduced for\nthe purpose of attempting to bring a discharge of oil or an oily\nmixture within an exemption provided in this Division from the\noperation of section 14 of the Act.\nDivision 2 Shipboard emergency plan\n7 Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan\n(1) A ship's shipboard oil pollution emergency plan required under\nsection 17 of the Act must be in the approved form and include the\nfollowing particulars:\n(a) the procedure to be followed by the ship's master or other\nperson having charge of the ship in notifying an incident\ninvolving the ship if a discharge of oil happens;\n(b) a list of the authorities or persons to be notified by persons on\nthe ship if the incident happens;\n(c) a detailed description of the action to be taken immediately\nafter the incident by persons on board the ship to reduce or\ncontrol any discharge of oil from the ship resulting from the\nincident;\n(d) the procedures to be followed for coordinating with authorities\nor persons that have been contacted and the name of the\nperson on board the ship through whom all communications\nare to be made.\n\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 3 Oil record book\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 4\n(2) The ship's owner must submit the plan and an approval fee of 57\nrevenue units to the Chief Executive Officer for approval.\n(3) The Chief Executive Officer may approve the plan or refuse to\napprove it.\n(4) If the Chief Executive Officer refuses to approve the plan, he or she\nmust advise the ship's owner of the reasons for refusing to approve\nit.\nDivision 3 Oil record book\n8 Oil record book to be carried on ship or retained\n(1) A ship that is not an oil tanker and has a gross tonnage of 400 or\nmore must carry a current oil record book (Part I) that is readily\navailable for inspection at all reasonable times.\n(2) A ship that is an oil tanker and has a gross tonnage of 150 or more\nmust carry a current oil record book (Part I and II) that is readily\navailable for inspection at all reasonable times.\n(3) Any previous oil record book must be carried on the ship and be\nreadily available for inspection at all reasonable times for at least\none year from the date of the last entry made in the book.\n(4) After the one year period referred to in subregulation (3), the\nprevious oil record book must be kept for a further 2 years:\n(a) if the ship's owner has a registered office – on board the ship\nor at the registered office; or\n(b) subject to subregulation (5), if the ship's owner does not have\na registered office – on board the ship,\nand be readily available for inspection at all reasonable times.\n(5) If the ship's owner does not have a registered office, the previous\noil record book may be deposited with the Chief Executive Officer\nand the book will be taken to be readily available for inspection.\n(6) If a ship does not carry a current oil record book in accordance with\nsubregulation (1) or (2), or a previous oil record book in accordance\nwith subregulation (3), the ship's master and owner each commit an\noffence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Oil\nDivision 3 Oil record book\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 5\n(7) If a previous oil record book is not kept in accordance with\nsubregulation (4) or deposited with the Chief Executive Officer in\naccordance with subregulation (5), the ship's owner commits an\noffence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n9 Form of oil record book\nAn oil record book must contain the particulars set out in\nAppendix III to Annex 1 to MARPOL and must make provision for a\nsignature for each entry made in it and for each page of it.\n10 Entries in oil record book\n(1) If a recordable operation or event is carried out or happens in or in\nrelation to a ship, the ship's master must make or cause to be made\nan appropriate entry about the operation or event in the oil record\nbook without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) An entry in a ship's oil record book must:\n(a) be made in the English language;\n(b) include the particulars required by Appendix III to Annex 1 to\nMARPOL; and\n(c) be signed by:\n(i) for a recordable operation – the officer or other person in\ncharge of the operation; or\n(ii) for a recordable event – the person in control of the ship.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(3) When a page of a ship's oil record book is completed, the ship's\nmaster must sign the page without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(4) In this regulation, recordable operation or event means an\noperation or event mentioned in Schedule 1, Part 1 that takes place\nor occurs in coastal waters.\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 1 Exemptions\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 6\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 1 Exemptions\n11 Categorization of substances\nThe categorization of a noxious liquid substance as a Category A,\nB, C or D substance is in accordance with Annex II to MARPOL.\n12 Category A substances\nSection 21 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge from\na ship of a Category A substance or a mixture containing a\nCategory A substance if:\n(a) one or more of the ship's tanks held the Category A substance\nor the mixture containing a Category A substance;\n(b) the tank has been washed in accordance with regulation 22\nor 23;\n(c) any residue remaining in the tank has been diluted by the\naddition of water; and\n(d) the water containing the residue is discharged in accordance\nwith regulation 16(1).\n13 Category B substances\nSection 21 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge from\na ship of a Category B substance or a mixture containing a\nCategory B substance if:\n(a) an authorised officer has approved procedures and\narrangements:\n(i) that are based on standards developed by the IMO;\n(ii) that ensure that the rate of discharge of the Category B\nsubstance or the mixture containing a Category B\nsubstance will result in a concentration of the substance\nin the wake astern of the ship that is not more than one\npart in one million parts; and\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 1 Exemptions\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 7\n(iii) that provide that the maximum quantity of the substance\nor mixture to be discharged is, in the case of each tank\nof the ship from which the discharge is to be made\n(including the pipe system associated with the tank):\n(A) one three-thousandth of the tank capacity in cubic\nmetres; or\n(B) one cubic metre;\nwhichever is greater;\n(b) the effluent does not also contain a Category A substance;\nand\n(c) the discharge of the Category B substance or mixture is made\nin accordance with:\n(i) the approved procedures and arrangements; and\n(ii) regulation 16(1).\n14 Category C substances\nSection 21 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge from\na ship of a Category C substance or a mixture containing a\nCategory C substance if:\n(a) an authorised officer has approved procedures and\narrangements:\n(i) that are based on standards developed by the IMO;\n(ii) that ensure that the rate of discharge of the Category C\nsubstance or the mixture containing a Category C\nsubstance will result in a concentration of the substance\nin the wake astern of the ship that is not more than\n10 parts in one million parts; and\n(iii) that provide that the maximum quantity of the substance\nor mixture to be discharged is, in the case of each tank\nof the ship from which the discharge is to be made\n(including the pipe system associated with the tank):\n(A) one one-thousandth of the tank capacity in cubic\nmetres; or\n(B) 3 cubic metres;\nwhichever is greater;\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 1 Exemptions\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 8\n(b) the effluent does not also contain a Category A or B\nsubstance; and\n(c) the discharge of the Category C substance or mixture is made\nin accordance with:\n(i) the approved procedures and arrangements; and\n(ii) regulation 16(1).\n15 Category D substances\nSection 21 of the Act does not apply in relation to a discharge from\na ship of a Category D substance or a mixture containing a\nCategory D substance if:\n(a) the Category D substance or the mixture containing a\nCategory D substance has been mixed with water so that the\nconcentration of the substance is not more than one part in\n10 parts of water;\n(b) the mixture does not also contain a Category A, B or C\nsubstance; and\n(c) the discharge of the Category D substance or mixture is made\nin accordance with regulation 16(2).\n16 Conditions for exempted discharges\n(1) A Category A, B, or C substance may be discharged from a ship\nunder regulation 12, 13 or 14 (respectively) if:\n(a) the ship is en route at a speed of at least 7 knots or, if the ship\nis not self-propelled, 4 knots;\n(b) the discharge is made below the waterline of the ship taking\ninto account the location of the sea-water intakes; and\n(c) the ship is at least 12 n miles from the nearest land and in\nwater at least 25 m deep.\n(2) A Category D substance may be discharged from a ship under\nregulation 15 if:\n(a) the ship is en route at a speed of at least 7 knots or, if the ship\nis not self-propelled, 4 knots; and\n(b) the ship is at least 12 n miles from the nearest land.\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 3 Cargo record book\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 9\nDivision 2 Certain noxious liquid substances to be treated as\noil\n17 Conditions of carrying oil-like substance\n(1) An oil tanker that is carrying a Category C or D substance that is\nidentified by the IMO as an oil-like substance must comply with the\nprovisions of Annex I of MARPOL that apply to product carriers\nwithin the meaning of that Annex.\n(2) If an oil tanker is carrying an oil-like substance and the tanker is\nrequired under the Navigation Act 1912 of the Commonwealth to\nhave an IOPP Certificate and its supplement B, with an\nendorsement:\n(a) indicating that the ship is permitted to carry oil-like substances\nin conformity with Regulation 14 of Annex II to MARPOL; and\n(b) specifying the oil-like substances the ship is permitted to carry,\nthe tanker must carry the appropriate certificate and the certificate\nmust permit the tanker to carry the oil-like substance concerned.\n(3) If an oil tanker is carrying an oil-like substance that is a Category C\nsubstance, the tanker must comply with the ship type 3 damage\nstability requirements of:\n(a) if the tanker was constructed on or after 1 July 1986 – the\nInternational Bulk Chemical Code; or\n(b) if the tanker was constructed before 1 July 1986 – the Bulk\nChemical Code applicable under Regulation 13 of Annex II to\nMARPOL.\n(4) If an oil tanker is carrying an oil-like substance, the oil content\nmeter in the oil discharge monitoring and control system of the\ntanker must be approved by an authorised officer for use in\nmonitoring the oil-like substances carried.\nDivision 3 Cargo record book\n18 Cargo record book\n(1) A trading ship carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk and\nproceeding on a voyage entirely within the Territory must carry a\ncurrent cargo record book that is readily available for inspection at\nall reasonable times.\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 3 Cargo record book\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 10\n(2) Any previous cargo record book must be carried on the ship and be\nreadily available for inspection at all reasonable times for at least\none year from the date of the last entry made in the book.\n(3) After the one year period referred to in subregulation (2), the\nprevious cargo record book must be kept for a further 2 years:\n(a) if the ship's owner has a registered office – on board the ship\nor at the registered office; or\n(b) subject to subregulation (4), if the ship's owner does not have\na registered office – on board the ship,\nand be readily available for inspection at all reasonable times.\n(4) If the ship's owner does not have a registered office, the previous\ncargo record book may be deposited with the Chief Executive\nOfficer and the book will be taken to be readily available for\ninspection.\n(5) If a ship does not carry a current cargo record book in accordance\nwith subregulation (1) or a previous cargo record book in\naccordance with subregulation (2), the ship's master and owner\neach commit an offence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(6) If a previous cargo record book is not kept in accordance with\nsubregulation (3) or deposited with the Chief Executive Officer in\naccordance with subregulation (4), the ship's owner commits an\noffence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n19 Form of cargo record book\nA cargo record book must contain the particulars set out in\nAppendix IV of Annex II to MARPOL and must make provision for a\nsignature for each entry made in it and for each page of it.\n20 Entries in cargo record book\n(1) If a recordable operation or event is carried out or happens in or in\nrelation to a ship, the ship's master must make or cause to be made\nan appropriate entry about the operation or event in the cargo\nrecord book without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 4 Tank washing\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 11\n(2) An entry in a ship's cargo record book must:\n(a) be made in the English language;\n(b) include the particulars required by Appendix IV to Annex II to\nMARPOL; and\n(c) be signed by:\n(i) for a recordable operation – the officer or other person in\ncharge of the operation; or\n(ii) for a recordable event – the person in control of the ship.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(3) When a page of a ship's cargo record book is completed, the ship's\nmaster must sign the page without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(4) In this regulation, recordable operation or event means an\noperation or event mentioned in Schedule 1, Part 2 that takes place\nor occurs in coastal waters.\nDivision 4 Tank washing\n21 Category A substances\n(1) Subject to subregulation (2), a tank from which a Category A\nsubstance has been unloaded must be washed in accordance with\nthe procedure set out in regulation 22 before the ship leaves the\nport of unloading.\n(2) If application is made by the ship's master, the Chief Executive\nOfficer may exempt the ship from compliance with subregulation (1)\nif he or she is satisfied that:\n(a) the tank unloaded is to be reloaded with the same substance\nor another substance compatible with the substance unloaded\nand the tank will not be washed or ballasted before loading;\n(b) the tank unloaded is not to be washed or ballasted at sea and\nan alternative washing procedure complying with regulation 22\nor 23 will be carried out at another port; or\n(c) the cargo residues will be removed by a ventilation procedure\napproved by the Chief Executive Officer and based on\nstandards developed by IMO.\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 4 Tank washing\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 12\n(3) For the purposes of subregulation (2)(b), the Chief Executive\nOfficer is taken to be satisfied if the ship's master:\n(a) undertakes in writing to have the procedure carried out at the\nother port; and\n(b) provides written confirmation from an officer or employee of\nthe other port that the port has a reception facility available\nand adequate for the purpose.\n22 Approved washing procedure – Category A substances\n(1) A tank from which a Category A substance has been unloaded\nmust be washed under the supervision of an authorised officer.\n(2) The effluent from the tank washing must be discharged to a\nreception facility until the concentration of the Category A\nsubstance in the discharge, as indicated by analysis of samples of\nthe effluent taken by the authorised officer, has fallen to a residual\nconcentration of 0.1% or less by weight (if the substance is\nphosphorus, yellow or white – a residual concentration of 0.01% or\nless by weight).\n(3) When the required residual concentration is achieved, the\ndischarge of the remaining contents of the tank to the reception\nfacility is to continue until the tank is empty.\n(4) The authorised officer must sign the entry in the cargo record book\nrecording the carrying out of the procedure.\n23 Alternative washing procedure – Category A substances\nIf the Chief Executive Officer is satisfied that it is impracticable to\nmeasure the concentration of the substance in the effluent without\ncausing undue delay to the ship, he or she may accept an\nalternative procedure proposed by the ship's master as being\nequivalent to the approved procedure under regulation 22 if:\n(a) the tank is prewashed in accordance with a procedure\napproved by the Chief Executive Officer and based on\nstandards developed by IMO; and\n(b) an authorised officer certifies in the cargo record book that:\n(i) the prewash has been carried out in accordance with the\nprewash procedure approved by the Chief Executive\nOfficer for the tank and the substance; and\n\nPart 3 Noxious liquid substances in bulk\nDivision 4 Tank washing\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 13\n(ii) the tank contents resulting from the prewash have been\ndischarged to a reception facility and the tank, its pump\nand piping systems are empty.\n24 Category B and C substances\n(1) A Category B or C substance must be unloaded using a pumping\nprocedure approved by the Chief Executive Officer and based on\nstandards developed by IMO under regulation 5A(5) of Annex II to\nMARPOL.\n(2) Subject to subregulation (4), a tank from which a Category B or C\nsubstance has been unloaded must be prewashed in accordance\nwith a procedure approved by the Chief Executive Officer and\nbased on standards developed by IMO before the ship leaves the\nport of unloading if:\n(a) the substance unloaded is identified in the standards\ndeveloped by IMO as resulting in a residue quantity more than\nthe maximum quantity for the substance that may be\ndischarged into the sea under regulation 13 or 14; or\n(b) the unloading is not carried out in accordance with the\npumping conditions for the tank approved by the Chief\nExecutive Officer – unless an authorised officer is satisfied\nthat alternative measures have been taken to remove the\ncargo residues from the ship.\n(3) The tank contents resulting from the prewash procedure must be\ndischarged to a reception facility at the port of unloading.\n(4) For the purposes of subregulation (2)(b), the authorised officer is\ntaken to be satisfied that cargo residues have been removed if the\nresidues are reduced to quantities stated in Regulation 5A of\nAnnex II to MARPOL for the substance.\n(5) If application is made by the ship's master, the Chief Executive\nOfficer may exempt the ship from compliance with subregulation (2)\nif he or she is satisfied that:\n(a) the tank unloaded is to be reloaded with the same substance\nor another substance compatible with the substance unloaded\nand the tank will not be washed or ballasted before loading;\n(b) the tank unloaded is not to be washed or ballasted at sea and\na prewashing procedure complying with regulation 23 will be\ncarried out at another port; or\n\nPart 4 Packaged harmful substances\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 14\n(c) the cargo residues will be removed by a ventilation procedure\napproved by the Chief Executive Officer and based on\nstandards developed by IMO.\n(6) For the purposes of subregulation (5)(b), the Chief Executive\nOfficer is taken to be satisfied if the ship's master:\n(a) undertakes in writing to have the procedure carried out at the\nother port; and\n(b) provides written confirmation from an officer or employee of\nthe other port that the port has a reception facility available\nand adequate for the purpose.\n25 Category D substances\n(1) Subject to subregulation (2), a tank from which a Category D\nsubstance has been unloaded must be washed and the resulting\ntank contents discharged to a reception facility before the ship\nleaves the port of unloading.\n(2) If a tank from which a Category D substance has been unloaded is\nnot washed in accordance with subregulation (1), the remaining\nresidues must be diluted and discharged to the sea in accordance\nwith regulation 15.\n26 Discharge from slop tank\nAny residues retained on board in a slop tank, including residues\nfrom cargo pump-room bilges, that contain a Category A substance\nmust be discharged to a reception facility in accordance with the\nprovisions of regulation 5(1), (7) or (8) of Annex II to MARPOL.\nPart 4 Packaged harmful substances\n27 Jettisoning of harmful substances\n(1) For the purposes of section 28(b) of the Act, the procedures\nprescribed for the jettisoning of a harmful substance are the\nprocedures set out in the IMDG Code as appropriate for the\nsubstance.\n(2) If a harmful substance carried as cargo in packaged form is\njettisoned to secure the safety of the ship or for saving life at sea,\nthe jettisoning must be done in accordance with the procedures\nreferred to in subregulation (1), unless to do so would impair the\nsafety of the ship or persons on board the ship.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Garbage\nDivision 1 Garbage management and records\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 15\n(3) In determining the procedures that are appropriate, regard must be\nhad to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the\nsubstance.\n(4) If the jettisoning is by washing of leakages overboard, the person\nwho authorises the washing must reasonably believe that washing\noverboard is the most appropriate way of disposing of the leaked\nsubstance having regard to:\n(a) any information about the substance contained in the IMDG\nCode; and\n(b) the circumstances under which the leakage occurred.\n(5) In this regulation, IMDG Code means the International Maritime\nDangerous Goods Code.\nPart 5 Garbage\nDivision 1 Garbage management and records\n28 Ships to display placards\n(1) Every ship of 12 m or more in length must display not less than one\nplacard at the garbage disposal point on the vessel or other\nappropriate place or places to inform the crew and passengers of\nthe MARPOL requirements relating to disposal of garbage.\n(2) A placard referred to in subregulation (1) is to be in the approved\nform.\n29 Garbage management plan\n(1) A ship with a gross tonnage more than 400 must carry and comply\nwith a garbage management plan.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) A garbage management plan referred to in subregulation (1) is to:\n(a) provide written procedures for collecting, storing, processing\nand disposing of garbage (including the use of equipment on\nboard);\n(b) designate the person in charge of carrying out the plan; and\n(c) be in accordance with the guidelines developed by the IMO.\n\nPart 5 Garbage\nDivision 1 Garbage management and records\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 16\n30 Garbage record book\n(1) A ship:\n(a) with a gross tonnage more than 400; or\n(b) certified to carry 15 persons or more,\nmust carry a current garbage record book that is readily available\nfor inspection at all reasonable times.\n(2) Any previous garbage record book must be carried on the ship and\nbe readily available for inspection at all reasonable times for at least\none year from the date of the last entry made in the book.\n(3) After the one year period referred to in subregulation (2), the\nprevious garbage record book must be kept for a further one year:\n(a) if the ship's owner has a registered office – on board the ship\nor at the registered office; or\n(b) if the ship's owner does not have a registered office – on\nboard the ship,\nand be readily available for inspection at all reasonable times.\n(4) If a ship does not carry a current garbage record book in\naccordance with subregulation (1) or a previous garbage record\nbook in accordance with subregulation (2), the ship's master and\nowner each commit an offence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(5) If a previous garbage record book is not kept in accordance with\nsubregulation (3), the ship's owner commits an offence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n31 Exemption from garbage record book requirement\nRegulation 30 does not apply to a ship engaged on voyages of one\nhour or less in duration.\n32 Form of garbage record book\nA garbage record book must contain the particulars set out in the\nAppendix to Annex V to MARPOL and must make provision for a\nsignature for each entry made in it and for each page of it.\n\nPart 5 Garbage\nDivision 2 Disposal of garbage into the sea\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 17\n33 Entries in garbage record book\n(1) If a recordable operation or event is carried out or happens in or in\nrelation to a ship, the ship's master must make or cause to be made\nan appropriate entry about the operation or event in the garbage\nrecord book without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) An entry in a ship's garbage record book must:\n(a) be made in the English language;\n(b) include the particulars required by the Appendix to Annex V to\nMARPOL; and\n(c) be signed by:\n(i) for a recordable operation – the officer or other person in\ncharge of the operation; or\n(ii) for a recordable event – the person in control of the ship.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(3) When a page of a ship's garbage record book is completed, the\nship's master must sign the page without delay.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(4) In this regulation, recordable operation or event means an\noperation or event mentioned in Schedule 1, Part 3 that takes place\nor occurs in coastal waters.\nDivision 2 Disposal of garbage into the sea\n34 Food waste\n(1) Section 38 of the Act does not apply in relation to a disposal of\ngarbage that is food waste, paper products, rags, glass, metal,\nbottles and similar refuse (but not dunnage, lining or packing\nmaterials that will float or plastics) if the ship is:\n(a) as far as practicable and not less than 12 n miles from the\nnearest land; and\n(b) not alongside or within 500 m of a fixed or floating platform\nengaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore\nprocessing of seabed mineral resources.\n\nPart 6 Transfer operations\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 18\n(2) If garbage referred to in subregulation (1) is passed through a\ncomminutor or grinder so that it is capable of passing through a\nscreen with openings no greater than 25 mm, the disposal may be\nmade when the ship is as far as practicable and not less than 3 n\nmiles from the nearest land.\n(3) The release of small quantities of food waste for the specific\npurpose of fish feeding in connection with fishing or tourist\noperations is not included as garbage for the purposes of this\nregulation or section 38 of the Act.\n35 Mixture of garbage and other matter\nIf garbage is mixed with matter, the discharge or jettisoning of\nwhich from a ship into coastal waters is regulated or prohibited\nunder the Act, the garbage may only be disposed of in accordance\nwith the provisions relating to the other matter.\nPart 6 Transfer operations\n36 Record keeping\n(1) If a ship is not required under regulation 8 to carry an oil record\nbook but carries oil (not in packaged form) that is not for the ship's\nown use, the ship must carry an oil record book in relation to which\nthe following apply:\n(a) the details of any transfer of oil (whether to another vessel or\nto shore) must be recorded in the oil record book;\n(b) each entry in the oil record book must be made and signed in\naccordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2, Division 3;\n(c) the oil record book must be kept in accordance with the\nrelevant provisions of Part 2, Division 3.\n(2) If a ship is not required under regulation 30 to carry a garbage\nrecord book but takes on board garbage that is not created by its\nown operations, the ship must carry a garbage record book in\nrelation to which the following apply:\n(a) the details of any transfer of garbage (whether from or to\nanother vessel or from or to shore) must be recorded in the\ngarbage record book;\n(b) each entry in the garbage record book must be made and\nsigned in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 5,\nDivision 1;\n\nPart 7 Reporting requirements\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 19\n(c) the garbage record book must be kept in accordance with the\nrelevant provisions of Part 5, Division 1.\nPart 7 Reporting requirements\n37 Notification of reportable incident\n(1) A person who is required under section 50 of the Act to notify an\nauthorised officer of a reportable incident must do so in accordance\nwith this regulation.\n(2) Notification of a reportable incident must be by at least one of the\nfollowing methods:\n(a) in person;\n(b) by telephone;\n(c) by facsimile transmission;\n(d) by telex;\n(e) by radio;\n(f) by urgent telegram;\n(g) by electronic mail – but confirmation must be obtained by\nanother of the specified methods that the e-mail has been\nreceived.\n(3) Notification to any of the following is taken to be notification to an\nauthorised officer:\n(a) the Chief Executive Officer;\n(ab) the regional harbourmaster for a designated port, as defined in\nsection 3 of the Ports Management Act 2015;\n(b) a port management officer, as defined in section 3 of the Ports\nManagement Act 2015, for a designated port, as defined in\nthat section;\n(f) Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, Australian Maritime\nSafety Authority, Canberra, ACT;\n(g) Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services,\nPolice Headquarters, Berrimah, NT.\n(4) The notification message is to commence with the code word\n\"POLREP\" and must be in the approved form.\n\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 20\n38 Time for report about incident\nA person who is required under section 50(3) of the Act to give a\nreport about an incident must do so within 24 hours of the request\nbeing made, or such longer time as allowed by the authorised\nofficer.\nPart 8 Samples\n39 Integrity and security of samples taken for analysis\n(1) If an authorised officer takes a sample of a pollutant, substance or\nthing, the officer must ensure the sample is delivered to an analyst\nfor analysis as soon as practicable.\n(2) A record in the approved form must be made for each person in\npossession of the sample from the time it is taken until it is\ndelivered to the analyst.\n40 Analyst's report\nAs soon as practicable after receiving the sample, the analyst must\nmake a report stating the following:\n(a) when and from whom the sample was received;\n(b) the way in which, or the means by which, the sample was\nidentified when received;\n(c) a description of the container (if any) the sample was in when\nreceived.\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\n41 Record books obtainable from Chief Executive Officer\nThe owner or master of a ship that is required by these Regulations\nto carry an oil record book, a cargo record book or a garbage\nrecord book may obtain from the Chief Executive Officer the\nappropriate record book that fulfils the requirements of these\nRegulations, together with guidelines to assist in complying with the\nrequirements relating to entries that must be made in the book.\n\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 21\n42 Registered office\nThe owner of a ship that is required to keep an oil record book, a\ncargo record book or a garbage record book who resides in the\nTerritory, or has an office or agent in the Territory, may provide the\nChief Executive Officer with notice in writing of the address of:\n(a) the owner's residence in the Territory;\n(b) the owner's office in the Territory, or if the owner has more\nthan one office in the Territory, the principal office in the\nTerritory; or\n(c) the office (or principal office) or place of residence in the\nTerritory of the owner's agent,\nand the address provided is taken to be the registered office of the\nowner of the ship for the purposes of regulations 8, 18 and 30.\n43 Labour costs\nThe cost of labour used for a purpose connected with a discharge\nof pollutant is:\n(a) for an employee within the meaning of the Public Sector\nEmployment and Management Act 1993 – 150% of the\nemployee's gross salary for the time the employee devotes to\nthe purpose; and\n(b) for any other person – the cost charged to the Territory for the\ntime the person devotes to the purpose.\n44 Compensation\nFor the purposes of section 84 of the Act, the following matters are\nto be taken into account by a court when considering whether it is\njust to order the payment of compensation:\n(a) whether the power was exercised to prevent a threat to human\nlife or damage or possible damage to the environment or\nproperty;\n(b) whether the power was exercised negligently;\n(c) whether at the time the power was exercised or purported to\nbe exercised it was reasonably foreseeable that the person\nclaiming compensation would be adversely affected by the\nexercise or purported exercise of the power;\n\nPart 9 Miscellaneous\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 22\n(d) the level of knowledge possessed by the officer at the time of\nthe exercise or purported exercise of the power.\n\nSchedule 1 Recordable operations and events\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 23\nSchedule 1 Recordable operations and events\nPart 1 Ships to which Part 2, Division 3 applies\nregulation 10(4)\n1. Recordable operations – Oil Record Book Part I\nEach of the following is a recordable operation:\n(a) ballasting or cleaning of an oil fuel tank;\n(b) discharge of dirty ballast or cleaning water from an oil fuel\ntank;\n(c) collection and disposal of oil residues (sludge);\n(d) discharge overboard (automatic or non-automatic) or disposal\nof bilge water that has accumulated in machinery spaces;\n(e) bunkering of fuel or bulk lubricating oil.\n2. Recordable operations – Oil Record Book Part II\nEach of the following is also a recordable operation for a tanker:\n(a) loading of oil cargo;\n(b) internal transfer of oil cargo during a voyage;\n(c) unloading of oil cargo;\n(d) crude oil washing (COW tankers only);\n(e) ballasting of cargo tanks;\n(f) ballasting of dedicated clean ballast tanks (CBT tankers only);\n(g) cleaning of cargo tanks;\n(h) discharge of dirty ballast;\n(i) discharge from slop-tanks into the sea;\n(j) the disposal of residues or oily mixtures (not otherwise dealt\nwith);\n(k) discharge of clean ballast contained in cargo tanks;\n\nSchedule 1 Recordable operations and events\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 24\n(l) discharge of ballast from dedicated clean ballast tanks (CBT\ntankers only).\n3. Recordable events – Oil Record Book Part I\nEach of the following is a recordable event:\n(a) failure of oil discharge monitoring and control system;\n(b) accidental or other discharge of oil.\nPart 2 Ships to which Part 3, Division 3 applies\nregulation 20(4)\n1. Recordable operations – Cargo Record Book\nEach of the following is a recordable operation:\n(a) the loading of cargo;\n(b) an internal transfer of cargo;\n(c) the unloading of cargo;\n(d) the prewashing of a cargo tank;\n(e) the cleaning of a cargo tank;\n(f) a discharge of tank washings into the sea;\n(g) the ballasting of a cargo tank;\n(h) the discharge of ballast water from a cargo tank;\n(i) an accidental or other exceptional discharge from a cargo\ntank;\n(j) an operation controlled by an authorized surveyor.\n2. Recordable events – Cargo Record Book\nEach of the following is a recordable event:\n(a) a discharge into coastal waters of a noxious liquid substance\nnecessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship or\nsaving life at sea;\n(b) a discharge into coastal waters of a noxious liquid substance\nresulting from damage to a ship or its equipment;\n\nSchedule 1 Recordable operations and events\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 25\n(c) a discharge into coastal waters of a noxious liquid substance,\napproved by an authorised officer, to combat specific pollution\nincidents or to minimise the damage from pollution;\n(d) a discharge exempted under Part 3, Division 1.\nPart 3 Ships to which Part 5, Division 1 applies\nregulation 33(4)\n1. Recordable operations – Garbage Record Book\nEach of the following is a recordable operation:\n(a) the discharge of garbage into the sea;\n(b) the discharge of garbage to a reception facility ashore or to\nanother ship;\n(c) the incineration of garbage.\n2. Recordable events – Garbage Record Book\nAn accidental or exceptional discharge of garbage is a recordable\nevent.\n\nENDNOTES\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 26\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nMarine Pollution Regulations (SL No. 8, 2003)\nNotified 28 February 2003\nCommenced 25 June 2003 (r 2, s 2 Marine Pollution Act 1999 (Act No. 43,\n1999) and Gaz G25, 25 June 2003, p 2)\nAmendment of Marine Pollution Regulations (SL No. 14, 2003)\nNotified 28 March 2003\nCommenced 28 March 2003\nFees and Charges Amendment Regulations 2009 (SL No. 34, 2009)\nNotified 14 December 2009\nCommenced 1 January 2010 (r 2)\nPenalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)\nAssent date 12 July 2013\nCommenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 28 August 2013, p 2)\nPorts Management (Repeals and Related Consequential Amendments) Act 2015 (Act\nNo. 12, 2015)\nAssent date 22 May 2015\nCommenced pt 4 (other than ss 52 and 54 to 56): 9 June 2015; ss 52 and\n54 to 56: nc; rem: 1 July 2015 (Gaz S57, 9 June 2015, p 2)\nMarine Pollution Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Act No. 5, 2020)\nAssent date 9 March 2020\nCommenced 10 March 2020 (s 2)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: rr 1, 37 and 43.\n\nENDNOTES\nMarine Pollution Regulations 2003 27\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 2 sub No. 14, 2003\nr 7 amd No. 34, 2009, r 14\nr 8 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 10 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 18 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 20 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 27 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 28 amd Act No. 5, 2020, s 14\nrr 29 – 30 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 33 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 12\nr 37 amd Act No. 12, 2015, s 65; Act No. 5, 2020, s 15\nsch 2 – 3 rep Act No. 5, 2020, s 16","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the regulations appear to remain focused on their original purpose of controlling marine pollution from vessels in Northern Territory waters. The 2020 commencement date likely reflects a reprint or administrative update (Reprint No. REPM070R1) rather than a substantive change in scope. However, the limited content provided makes a definitive assessment impossible."},"complexity_factors":["The document provided contains very limited substantive content — mostly metadata and structural headings — making full complexity assessment difficult","Environmental/pollution regulations typically involve technical scientific standards (e.g. permitted discharge levels) that require specialist knowledge to interpret","Regulations interact with a parent Act (Marine Pollution Act), so readers must cross-reference two documents to understand the full legal framework","Potential overlap with Commonwealth maritime law adds a jurisdictional layer","The gap between the original 2003 date and the 2020 commencement date suggests amendments or reprints that may complicate understanding of the current operative version"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set practical rules to prevent and control marine pollution in Northern Territory waters by restricting discharges from vessels, requiring onboard waste handling and record-keeping, and imposing penalties for breaches. They affect anyone operating or managing boats, ships, ports or fishing activities in NT waters — compliance is required to avoid fines and enforcement action."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Endnotes record later amendments (2009, 2013, 2015, 2020) that adjusted fees, penalties and administrative cross‑references and updated certain regulatory provisions. The core purpose—to implement MARPOL‑based controls on discharges, record‑keeping and response—remains, while enforcement, fee and procedural details have been altered by those amendments."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to international instruments (MARPOL Annexes, IMO standards, IMDG Code) requiring technical alignment and external interpretation.","Multiple categorical regimes (Categories A–D) with different numeric concentration limits, distance/speed/depth conditions and tank‑washing protocols.","Significant administrative discretion vested in the Chief Executive Officer to approve plans, procedures, exemptions and equipment (approval/refusal, fees).","Detailed record‑keeping and retention rules for several record books (oil, cargo, garbage) with language, signature and archival requirements and criminal penalties.","Operational constraints tied to vessel type and size (oil tanker vs other, gross tonnage thresholds, product‑carrier rules, stability codes).","Specific procedural requirements for port reception facilities, supervised washings, sampling chain‑of‑custody and analyst reporting.","Numerous offence provisions with fixed maximum penalties and procedural compliance burdens for masters and owners."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set technical rules for ships in Northern Territory coastal waters to prevent marine pollution: they define when discharges are permitted, require shipboard emergency plans and record books for oil, noxious liquids and garbage, and prescribe tank‑washing, reporting, sampling and penalties. They impose compliance costs on shipowners, masters and ports (fees, labour and reception facilities) and give the Chief Executive Officer discretion to approve plans, procedures and exemptions, changing operational requirements for cargo handling, discharges and record‑keeping."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations appear consistent with their original purpose as operational implementation of the Marine Pollution Act 1999. The 2020 amendments removed Schedules 2 and 3 (likely transitional or spent provisions), suggesting scope contraction rather than expansion. The instrument remains focused on its core mission: giving practical effect to MARPOL obligations in NT waters through record-keeping, discharge standards, and emergency planning."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to international conventions (MARPOL Annexes I, II, and V) and Commonwealth legislation (Navigation Act 1912) without reproducing those provisions","Multiple nested exemption structures: Division 1 of Parts 2 and 3 each contain conditional exemptions from Act provisions, with sub-conditions (e.g., regulations 4-6 for oil; regulations 12-16 for chemicals)","Category-based regulatory system for noxious liquids (A/B/C/D) with different discharge thresholds, dilution requirements, and tank washing procedures for each category","Dual record-keeping regimes: current books must be carried on board; previous books follow a complex retention schedule (1 year on board, then 2 years at registered office or deposited with CEO)","Defined terms rely on external standards (IMO codes, IMDG Code, International Bulk Chemical Code) that are not defined within the instrument","Multiple penalty provisions (100 penalty units) scattered throughout, with some applying to masters and owners jointly, others to owners only","Conditional logic in tank washing exemptions requiring written undertakings and third-party confirmations (regulations 21(3), 24(6))","Alternative compliance pathways (e.g., regulation 23 alternative washing procedure when concentration measurement is 'impracticable')"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set the detailed rules for preventing and managing marine pollution in Northern Territory waters. They work alongside the Marine Pollution Act 1999 by filling in the practical \"how-to\" details that the Act doesn't cover.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Ship owners and masters** operating in NT coastal waters (including oil tankers, cargo ships, fishing vessels, and trading ships)\n- **Ports and harbours** that receive waste from ships\n- **The Chief Executive Officer** (the NT government officer who approves plans, procedures, and record books)\n- **Authorised officers** who inspect ships and take samples\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n**For oil pollution:**\n- Ships must carry **oil record books** documenting all oil handling operations\n- Oil tankers need approved **shipboard oil pollution emergency plans**\n- Strict rules govern when small amounts of oil can be legally discharged (generally only when ships are moving, far from land, and using approved equipment)\n\n**For noxious liquid substances (chemicals in bulk):**\n- Chemicals are classified into Categories A, B, C, and D based on hazard level\n- Category A substances (most dangerous) require mandatory tank washing at port reception facilities\n- Ships must carry **cargo record books** tracking all chemical cargo operations\n- Discharge exemptions depend on dilution levels, distance from land, and water depth\n\n**For garbage:**\n- Ships over 400 gross tonnes or carrying 15+ people must carry **garbage record books**\n- Ships must display placards about garbage disposal rules\n- Larger ships need written **garbage management plans**\n- Food waste can only be dumped at sea if far from land (12 nautical miles, or 3 nautical miles if ground up fine)\n\n**For packaged harmful substances:**\n- Dangerous goods can only be jettisoned (thrown overboard in emergencies) following strict international codes\n\n**Reporting and enforcement:**\n- Pollution incidents must be reported immediately using the code word \"POLREP\"\n- Government officers can take samples of pollutants, with strict chain-of-custody rules\n- Failing to keep proper records or illegally dumping waste can result in fines up to 100 penalty units\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese rules protect the NT's marine environment—its coral reefs, fishing grounds, and coastal ecosystems—from oil spills, chemical contamination, and plastic pollution. They also ensure Australia meets its international obligations under **MARPOL** (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships). For ship operators, the regulations create a clear compliance framework: keep the right records, use the right equipment, and dump waste only where and when allowed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003","history":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/marine-pollution-regulations-2003/documents"}}