Order No. 269 on discharge of waste from ships and platforms.

This Order sets regulations on the discharge of waste from ships and platforms and applies to all ships regardless of size. Outside specific areas, discharge of all objects made of plastic, including synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products which may contain residues of toxic or heavy metals may not be dumped at sea. Food-waste may be discharged when ships are located more than 12 miles from the nearest land. Exception is made for the discharge of waste from ships when saving life at sea is necessary; the dumping of waste results from damage to a ship or its equipment, provided that prior to and after the damage there have been all reasonable precautions to prevent emissions or reduce it as much as possible marine pollution; and when accidental loss of synthetic fishing nets occur, provided that all reasonable precautions have been observed to avoid such a loss.