Clean Ships, Clean Ports, Clean Oceans: Controlling Garbage and Plastic Wastes at Sea (1995)
Chapter: THE VESSEL GARBAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
bris, and because its Status and Trends Program could be expanded readily to monitor plastic debris.
THE COMMITTEE'S ANALYSIS
The committee adapted a hazard evolution model from the literature and used it to identify opportunities for enhancing implementation of Annex V in each maritime sector. The model establishes a framework for examining each stage of hazard evolution, from the satisfaction of human needs (such as the need for food, which may be wrapped in packaging that ends up as garbage) through the mitigation of consequences (such as through physical removal of debris during beach cleanups). The model also provides parameters to aid in the selection of interventions to halt or slow the evolution of the hazard (marine debris). Chief among these parameters are intelligence and control; the extent of available information and the means of influence determine in large part whether an intervention can be successful. The committee applied the model, with minor modifications, to each of the nine maritime sectors, seeking to identify means of intelligence and control as well as opportunities for intervention to enhance Annex V implementation. These sector-specific analyses resulted in the establishment of Annex V implementation objectives for each fleet. These objectives are summarized in Table ES-1.
THE VESSEL GARBAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The committee examined vessel garbage management as a system. One part of the system encompasses on-board garbage handling techniques and treatment technologies. The other, often-neglected component of the system is port reception facilities, which need to be linked to the local scheme for managing land-generated waste. The committee found that the link between the vessel and port components of the system is generally clumsy and sometimes non-functional.
Source control (i.e., reducing amounts of packaging and other waste materials brought on board) is an important aspect of garbage management. For garbage that is generated, a range of on-board treatment technologies—including compactors, pulpers, shredders, and incinerators—is available or under development. However, these units generally are designed only for certain types of ships (e.g., the Navy's or passenger cruise ships) and, due to their size and operating features, are not appropriate to every type of vessel. Some fleets, such as fisheries, may need financial assistance in order to purchase and install appropriate equipment. In addition, several obstacles may be impeding safe and efficient on-board garbage management: the lack of federal guidelines on shipboard sanitation2 for
TABLE ES-1 National Strategy for Annex V Implementation: Objectives for Each Maritime Sectora
|
Sectors |
Objectives |
|
Recreational boats and their marinas |
• Achieve zero-discharge capability • Assure adequacy of port reception facilities • Assure that boaters are provided with appropriate Annex V information and education |
|
Commercial fisheries and their fleet ports |
• Achieve zero-discharge capability for fishing vessels that operate as day boats • Provide adequate port reception facilities • Assure access to appropriate on-board garbage handling and treatment technologies • Provide comprehensive vessel garbage management system • Assure that seagoing and management personnel are provided with appropriate Annex V information, education, and training • Improve Annex V enforcement • Extend U.S. cooperation to encourage compliance by foreign-flag vessels |
|
Cargo ships and their itinerary ports |
• Improve access to on-board garbage handling and treatment technologies • Provide comprehensive vessel garbage management system, including adequate port reception facilities • Assure that seagoing and management personnel are provided with appropriate Annex V information, education, and training • Fully exercise U.S. authority to improve compliance by foreign flag vessels and by all vessels in foreign waters |
|
Passenger day boats, ferries, and their terminals |
• Achieve zero-discharge capability, integrating the handling of vessel garbage into local solid waste management systems |
|
Small public vessels and their home ports |
• Improve on-board garbage handling and treatment technology • Assure adequacy of port reception facilities • Assure that seagoing and management personnel are provided with appropriate Annex V information, education, and training • Develop model Annex V compliance program |
|
Offshore platforms, rigs, supply vessels, and their shore bases |
• Achieve zero discharge at sea • Assure comprehensive garbage management system, including adequate port reception facilities |
any sector other than cruise ships; the lack of quarantine standards based on compacted waste; and the lack of federal standards on shipboard incinerators.
The committee concludes that (1) vessel garbage management must be viewed as a system that includes port reception facilities, and this system needs to be combined with the integrated solid waste management system for land-generated Waste; (2) there is a need for new and improved on-board garbage treatment technologies, a problem that may be resolved in part by adapting commercial equipment used in homes, retail establishments, and industry; (3) demonstration
