What is SOPEP. What is its purpose as per Marpol annex 1 and what it contains

SOPEP :- Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

As per MARPOL Annex 1, Regulation 37.

Every oil tanker of 150GRT and above and every ship other than oil tanker of 400GRT & above shall carry onboard a SOPEP approved by the administration.

The SOPEP consists of:-

1. The procedure to be followed by Master & other person having charge of the ship to report an Oil Pollution incident.

2. The list of authorities or persons to be contacted in event of Oil Pollution incident.

3. A detailed description of the action to be taken immediately by persons onboard to reduce or control the discharge of oil.

4. The procedures & point of contact on the ship for co-ordinating ship board action with national & local authorities.