Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# SOPEP — Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

The emergency plan for oil spills: it must be ready to use, not merely present on board.

SOPEP emergency spill MARPOL Annex I

## Operational Explanation

The SOPEP is the approved plan describing the immediate actions to be taken in the event of an oil spill: notification to the authorities, containment, use of onboard anti-pollution materials, and up-to-date emergency contacts.

## Regulatory Reference

MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 37. Ships carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk keep the equivalent SMPEP under Annex II.

## Scope of Application

Every ship of 400 GT and above must carry a SOPEP approved by the Flag Administration; oil tankers of 150 GT and above have additional specific requirements.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify that the plan on board is the latest approved version, with the correct ship particulars.
2. Check that the list of emergency contacts (Flag, P&I Club, local agencies, coastal authorities) is up to date.
3. Check the availability and expiry of containment materials (booms, absorbents, dispersants if authorised).
4. Conduct the SOPEP drill at the frequency set by the Safety Management System.
5. Document the drill: scenario, participants, response times, issues identified, corrective actions.

## Practical Example

Example drill scenario: simulated spill during bunkering, with activation of the emergency team, deployment of absorbent booms, simulated notification to the port authority, debrief and recording of issues found (e.g. equipment retrieval time longer than expected).

## Real Cases

Vetting and PSC inspections have repeatedly found SOPEPs with outdated emergency contacts (invalid phone numbers, changed agencies) never updated after a change of management company — a simple non-conformity to avoid, yet a frequent one.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Emergency contacts not updated | Delayed notification in a real spill | Review contacts at every change of management or agency
Drill not documented or too generic | Deficiency in ISM/Vetting audits | Record scenario, timings and lessons learned for every drill
Containment materials expired or insufficient | Inability to respond effectively in reality | Periodic check of stock and expiry dates

## PSC Observations

Vetting auditors (SIRE/TMSA) and PSCOs check the date of the last SOPEP drill and the consistency of emergency contacts with the ship's current management situation.

## Operational Tips

- Align the frequency of SOPEP drills with the ISM plan and document it in the Planned Maintenance System.
- Check emergency contacts every time the P&I Club or local agency changes.
- Keep both a paper and an electronic copy of the plan, both up to date.

## Checklist

- SOPEP is the latest approved version
- Emergency contacts verified in the last 6 months
- Containment materials checked and not expired
- Last drill documented with lessons learned

## FAQ

How often must the SOPEP drill be carried out?
At the frequency set by the company's Safety Management System, typically at least annually, integrated with general emergency drills.
Does the SOPEP replace the SMPEP?
No: ships carrying NLS (Noxious Liquid Substances) in bulk must also have an SMPEP under MARPOL Annex II.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Oil Record Book Bilge Water Management

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