PSC deficiency code 14501: Garbage

Code 14501 covers how the ship handles garbage in practice under MARPOL Annex V: segregation, storage, processing and what goes over the side. Placards (14502) and the garbage management plan (14503) have their own codes, and the written record goes under the garbage record book. The inspector's doubt is whether garbage is really handled the way the plan and the Annex require.

What the inspector looks at

The inspector often follows garbage from the galley and engine room to the storage area.

• bins at collection points marked by category and used that way
• plastics kept apart from food waste and other garbage
• the storage area: covered, secured and not overflowing
• how and where food waste is discharged, and the comminutor if fitted
• crew familiarity, tested by asking a rating where plastics go
• whether the amount stored fits the record book and the last delivery ashore

Common findings

• Plastics mixed with food waste in galley bins
• Garbage bins not marked as per garbage management plan
• Garbage stored on open deck, not covered or secured
• Crew not familiar with segregation and disposal requirements
• Oily rags disposed of with domestic waste
• Food waste discharged closer to land than permitted

The rule behind it

MARPOL Annex V prohibits discharging garbage into the sea except as regulations 4, 5 and 6 allow for food waste, cargo residues, cleaning agents and additives, and animal carcasses, with stricter rules inside special areas. Regulation 7 covers safety and accidental loss. Plastics may never be discharged. Outside special areas, food waste may go overboard en route at least 3 nautical miles from the nearest land if comminuted, 12 if not. Regulation 9 lets PSC check operational requirements where there are clear grounds to believe the crew isn't familiar with essential garbage procedures. Regulation 10 requires the placards, the plan and the record book.

Action codes you are likely to see

Mixed or unmarked bins are often sorted out during the inspection and marked 10, or given 17. Crew who don't know the plan point to training and the safety management system, which can bring an ISM finding with 18. The IMO port State control procedures name crew unfamiliar with the disposal and discharge requirements of the garbage management plan among detainable items under Annex V, so 30 is possible. Evidence of illegal discharge can be reported to the flag State. See action taken codes.

How to close it

The master and chief officer usually own this. Re-mark the bins, re-sort the garbage and clear the storage area, landing the excess at a port reception facility. Brief the crew on the plan and record the training. Keep photos of the bins and storage, the reception facility receipt, the training record and matching record book entries with the Form B.