May-Jun 2008

Dumping at Sea: Australian flag ships have a clean record

The incidences of oil slicks reported to originate from tankers washing their holds at sea are numerous and increasing...

Dear Mr Reith,

Allow me, as a former merchant mariner, who has sailed under the flags of three nations for 47 years, to relate some of my experiences. Ship operators will not voluntarily incur expenditures of any kind that do not generate profits.

I can assure you that, over the years, except comparatively recently on Australian flagged and crewed ships, it has always been the practice to dump at sea any and all materials deemed to be of no further use.

Coal-fired ships regularly dumped their ashes at sea at the first opportunity. Dunnage, timber used to keep cargo off the floor of the hold and to separate cargoes of different types or destinations, was always jettisoned at sea when no longer needed. All material swept up during hold-cleaning operations preparatory to taking on a new cargo would always be dumped at sea. Bilges, cargo hold and engine room waste were always emptied overboard. It is done even today, often without the benefit of an oil/water separator. Because the oil so separated would need to be disposed of, and paid for, in the next port of call.

The incidences of oil slicks reported to originate from tankers washing their holds at sea are numerous and increasing. Ships anchored off Australian ports waiting for cargoes, often for many days, contrive to eventually berth without a single scrap of galley waste on board, but while in port collect those scraps in large bins which are emptied overboard once the vessel leaves port. Ask any Australian quarantine officer about that. These practices continue to this day. Note the many reports of 'reputable' cruise ship operators to the Caribbean being fined heavily by the US Coastguard for dumping rubbish at sea.

By contrast, let me tell you of my final voyage on an Australian flagged and crewed tanker, trading between Europe and oil-producing countries. All scraps and debris, much of it packaging like cling wrap, styrofoam boxes and other plastics, tins and bottles etc. would be bagged, if possible sorted, and either burned in a high-temperature incinerator or compacted and stored on deck for proper collection and disposal at the end of the voyage. All this at considerable cost to the operators, who are trying to compete with other shipowners, who, do not give a damn about the environment.

As one "who has been there and done that", I would suggest the Australian community owes a vote of thanks and support to the wharfies for at least attempting what the Government fails to do. That is ensuring, by the most rigorous means, that toxic, noxious and other pollutants are landed in Australia for proper disposal by approved methods, rather than being jettisoned at sea to poison the oceans and pollute our beaches.

M Frese

Retired seafarer

Dumping at Sea: Australian flag ships have a clean record

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