Deck General · Pollution Reporting & Regs
Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the 'responsible party' for oil pollution from a vessel is defined as:
- AThe vessel master at the time of the spill
- BThe owner, operator, or demise charterer of the vessel✓ Correct
- CThe cargo shipper whose oil was discharged
- DThe port authority of the nearest port
Explanation
OPA 90 establishes strict liability for oil spills. The responsible party is defined as the owner, operator, or demise (bareboat) charterer of the vessel. This party is liable for removal costs and damages, up to a statutory limit (unless gross negligence or willful misconduct applies, which removes the cap).
Authority: 33 CFR
Practice the full Deck General bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Deck General questions
- Pollution Reporting & Regs
If a vessel discharges oil into U.S. navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), federal law requires the person in charge to immediately notify:
- Pollution Reporting & Regs
33 CFR Part 164 (Navigation Safety Regulations) requires vessels over 1,600 gross tons operating in U.S. waters to have the vessel's position recorded in the log at least:
- Pollution Reporting & Regs
Port State Control (PSC) officers conducting a vessel inspection under SOLAS and MARPOL have the authority to:
- Pollution Reporting & Regs
Under MARPOL, a 'special area' is a sea area designated because it requires special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution. Which of the following is an example of a MARPOL Annex I special area?
- Pollution Reporting & Regs
The Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) required under OPA 90 for vessels operating in U.S. waters demonstrates that the vessel owner:
- Stability Definitions
Displacement is best defined as: