Sea Pollution (Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulations, 1994.

These Regulations give effect to Annex II of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships adopted by the International Maritime Organization on 2 November, 1973 and as amended by its Protocol adopted on 17 February, 1978, and as further amended by resolutions adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization. The Regulations apply to all Irish ships carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk wherever they may be and to all other ships carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk when they are in the territorial waters of the State. Noxious liquid substances are divided into four categories A, B, C and D according to the severity of the hazard which they present to human health and the marine environment, category A presenting the worst hazard and category D the least. Under the Regulations discharges into the sea of these substances or mixtures of them are prohibited except when the discharges are made under specified conditions. These conditions vary according to the degree of hazard posed to the marine environment. The most stringent controls apply in two recognised "special areas", namely the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. The Regulations require ships to follow specified procedures when washing cargo tanks in accordance with the category of the substance and the geographical location. They also provide for adequate facilities at ports, terminals or repair ports for the reception of residues or mixtures of noxious liquid substances. Under the Regulations ships are required to be surveyed, to carry an International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.