MARPOL Reporting requirements
Relevant documents and M-notices: MARPOL, RESOLUTION MEPC.30(25
These requirements are made into UK law under The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Harmful Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
MARPOL Protocol I - Provisions concerning Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances:
The master or other person having charge of any ship involved in an incident referred to in article II of this Protocol shall report the particulars of such incident without delay and to the fullest extent possible in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol.
If the ship is abandoned, or it cannot report, the duty falls on the owner/charterer, manager/operator of the vessel to comply.
Reports should be made if an incident involves:
a discharge above the permitted level or probable discharge of oil or of noxious liquid substances for whatever reason
a discharge or probable discharge of harmful substances in packaged form
damage, failure or breakdown of a ship of 15 metres in length or above which affects the safety of the ship or results in impairment of the safety of navigation
a discharge during the operation of the ship of oil or noxious liquid substances in excess of the quantity or instantaneous rate permitted