On 1 October 2009, order no. 765 of 22 July 2009 issued by the Danish Maritime Authority enters into force, implementing the OPRC-HNS 2000 Protocol in Danish law. It states that tankers of or above 150 gross tonnage and other ships with a gross tonnage of or above 400 carrying any substances other than oil as cargo that, if introduced into the marine environment, are likely to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea, must have a Pollu- tion Incident Emergency Plan (PIEP).
Tankers of or above 150 gross tonnage certified to carry noxious liquid substances in bulk must carry on board a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP). This should be approved as to also meet the requirements of the PIEP.
As defined in order no. 765 of 22 July 2009 issued by the Danish Maritime Authority, the emergency plan should be in the language of the ship and include the following:
- Reporting procedures in case of a pollution incident.
- A list of authorities or persons to be contacted in the event of a noxious liquid sub- stance pollution incident.
- Detailed descriptions of the action to be taken immediately by persons on board to reduce or control the discharge of noxious liquid substances following the incident.
- Point of contact on the ship for co-ordinating shipboard action with national and local authorities in combating the pollution.
In connection with the approval of the SOPEP/SMPEP, the RO must ensure that the ship, if required according to the OPRC-HNS Protocol, carries a PIEP and that it fulfils the requirements as stated above. If the ship cannot comply with this requirement, the SOPEP/SMPEP must not be approved until the PIEP is on board and fulfils the requirements.
The Danish Maritime Authority does not require the RO to issue any certificate for the approval of the PIEP as this is considered as part of the SOPEP/SMPEP approval.