THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF OIL POLLUTION FROM VESSELS
ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of the Maritime Administration (MarAd) program to abate and control oil pollution from ships. The main thrust of the program is in the prevention of oil pollution through cost effective measures which would maintain the competitive position of the U.S. merchant fleet. The paper discusses such pollution abatement features as oil discharge monitoring and control systems, oily water separators, oily waste slop tanks, collision avoidance radar, and inert gas systems that are required to be installed on vessels that receive government financial assistance in the form of construction differential subsidy. In addition, the paper addresses the environmental and economic impact of the 1973 International Marine Pollution Convention on the Maritime Administration Tanker Construction Program, particularly as it relates to the IMCO segregated ballast requirements, improved Load-on-Top (LOT) procedures, and port reception facilities. Finally, recommendations for future action to abate ship-generated pollution at the national and international levels are provided.