Who should keep an eye on a ship's equipment to ensure proper functioning and environmental impact?

• A. The Captain
• B. The EO
• C. The Chief Engineer
• D. The Port State Control officer

Answer: (B)

The main idea is who is designated to oversee environmental-related equipment on board and ensure it functions properly. The Environmental Officer is responsible for environmental compliance and for actively monitoring systems that affect the marine environment. They regularly check equipment like oily-water separators, ballast water management, garbage handling, and emission control systems to make sure they operate within regulations and don’t cause pollution. They also keep records, train crew, and intervene if a system isn’t performing correctly or if discharge parameters risk violations. The Captain has overall command and safety responsibility, but day-to-day environmental monitoring falls to the Environmental Officer. The Chief Engineer handles the machinery and propulsion systems, which is a different focus, and a Port State Control officer is an external regulator who inspects ships rather than someone on board permanently monitoring equipment.