How many Special Sea Areas are designated for Annex I?

• A. 5
• B. 10
• C. 15
• D. 20

Answer: (B)

Special Sea Areas are zones where the oil pollution discharge rules under MARPOL Annex I are tightened because those waters are particularly sensitive or heavily trafficked. For Annex I—oil—the International Maritime Organization has designated ten such areas worldwide, and ships must follow stricter controls there. Understanding this helps you plan routes and operating procedures to minimize oil discharges in the most vulnerable seas. In these zones, the usual allowances for discharging oily water are not the same as in other areas, so crews must rely more on proper treatment onboard and disposal at port facilities. The important takeaway is that there are ten Special Sea Areas designated for Annex I, a designation that can be updated by amendments, so staying current with regulations is essential.