AnnexV of Marpol ,Garbage management plans and garbage recordkeeping

Q:-With respect to AnnexV of Marpol explain the significance of following 
       
Garbage management plan and garbage record book


Garbage management plans and garbage recordkeeping (Regulation 9)

(1)  Every ship of 400 tons gross tonnage and above, and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more, shall carry a garbage management plan which the crew shall follow. This plan shall provide written procedures for collecting, storing, processing and  disposing of garbage, including the use of the equipment on board. It shall also designate the person in charge of carrying out the plan. Such a plan shall be in accordance with the guidelines developed by the Organisation and written in the working language of the crew. 

(2)  Every ship of 400 tons gross tonnage and above and every ship which is certified to carry 15 persons or more engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the  jurisdiction of other Parties to the Convention and every fixed and floating platform   engaged in exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed shall be provided with a Garbage  Record Book. The Garbage Record Book, whether as a part of the ship’s official log-book or otherwise, shall be in the form specified in the appendix to this Annex 

Entries in the Garbage Record Book 

4.1 Entries in the Garbage Record Book shall be made on each of the following occasions: 

When garbage is discharged into the sea: 

• Date and time of discharge
• Position of the ship (latitude and longitude) 
• Category of garbage discharged 
• Estimated amount discharged for each category in cubic meters 
• Signature of the officer in charge of the operation. 

When garbage is discharged to reception facilities ashore or to other ships: 

• Date and time of discharge
• Port or facility, or name of ship
• Category of garbage discharged
• Estimated amount discharged for each category in cubic metres
• Signature of officer in charge of the operation. 

When garbage is incinerated:

• Date and time of start and stop of incineration 
• Position of the ship (latitude and longitude) 
• Estimated amount incinerated in cubic metres 
• Signature of the officer in charge of the operation. 

Accidental or other exceptional discharges of garbage 

• Time of occurrence
• Port or position of the ship at time of occurrence 
• Estimated amount and category of garbage Circumstances of disposal,
• escape or loss, the reason therefor and general remarks. 

4.2 Receipts 

• The master should obtain from the operator of port reception facilities, or from the  master of the ship receiving the garbage, a receipt or certificate specifying the  estimated amount of garbage transferred. 
• The receipts or certificates must be kept on board the ship with the Garbage Record Book for two years. 

4.3 Amount of garbage 

The amount of garbage on board should be estimated in cubic metres, if possible separately according to category. 

The Garbage Record Book contains many references to estimated amount of garbage.

 It is recognised that the accuracy of estimating amounts of garbage is left to interpretation. Volume estimates will differ before and after processing. Some processing procedures may not allow for a usable estimate of volume, e.g. the continuous processing of food waste. Such factors should be taken into consideration when making and interpreting entries made in a record book.