Laws of the sea

Question 1

What does it mean when a boat is flying a blue and white flag?

Answer 1

It means there are divers in the water

Question 2

What does it indicate if a sailing boat is flying a cone (triangle shape) flag?

Answer 2

It indicates that the sailing boat is also under power.

Question 3

Which type of boats give way to sailboats?

Answer 3

Power boats give way to sailboats (except very big liners)

Question 4

How do you determine which vessel has the right of way when two boats under power converge?

Answer 4

Give way to the vessel approaching from the starboard side (right side)

Question 5

What does a shape resembling a fishing net indicate on a boat?

Answer 5

It indicates that the boat is a fishing boat, and caution should be taken as their nets can extend a long way out

Question 6

What does a ball shape on a boat signify?

Answer 6

It indicates that the boat is at anchor.

Question 7

What does a diamond shape on a boat suggest?

Answer 7

It indicates that the boat is “on tow,” so it’s advisable not to attempt to navigate through the middle of these two boats

Question 8

What was established in 1969 by the UN to provide scientific expertise on marine pollution?

Answer 8

GESAMP (Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection)

Question 9

What was the significance of the 1972 London Convention?

Answer 9

It was the first international convention aimed at protecting the marine environment

Question 10

What did the Oslo Convention target?

Answer 10

It aimed to prevent the dumping of contaminants into the marine environment

Question 11

What does MARPOL regulate?

Answer 11

MARPOL is an international convention that regulates pollution from ships.

Question 12

What was the focus of the 1974 Paris Convention?

Answer 12

It targeted land-based sources of marine pollution.

Question 13

What did the 1992 OSPAR Convention aim to achieve?

Answer 13

It aimed to protect the marine environment of the Northeast Atlantic, replacing both the Paris and Oslo Conventions

Question 14

What does the 1996 London Protocol entail?

Answer 14

It replaced the London Convention and banned all dumping, with enforcement beginning in 2006

Question 15

What was the significance of the 1960s regarding the marine environment?

Answer 15

It marked an increased awareness of the impact of human activities on the marine environment

Question 16

What was adopted in 1972 to address marine pollution?

Answer 16

The London Convention, formally known as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter

Question 17

What is the London Protocol, and when was it adopted?

Answer 17

The London Protocol, adopted in 1996, built upon earlier treaties with modern principles, further addressing marine pollution

Question 18

What is the main objective of the London Convention?

Answer 18

The main objective is to prevent the indiscriminate disposal at sea of wastes that could create hazards to human health or marine life or damage amenities.

Question 19

What was significant about the London Convention in terms of global conventions?

Answer 19

It was one of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities

Question 20

What is MARPOL?

Answer 20

MARPOL stands for the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

Question 20

What is the London Protocol, and when did it come into effect?

Answer 20

The London Protocol, agreed upon in 1996, further modernized the London Convention and eventually replaced it. It prohibits all dumping except for “acceptable” wastes on the “reverse list”. The Protocol entered into force on March 24, 2006

Question 21

How widely accepted is MARPOL?

Answer 21

As of 2019, 158 states, representing over 99.4% of the world’s shipping tonnage, have signed and agreed to the MARPOL convention

Question 22

What does MARPOL regulate?

Answer 22

MARPOL regulates all emissions from ships, including sewage, oil and oily water, garbage, air pollution, and toxic compounds in packaged forms

Question 23

What is the 1992 OSPAR Convention?

Answer 23

The 1992 OSPAR Convention is an international agreement that replaced the Oslo and Paris Conventions

Question 24

What are the main annexes of the OSPAR Convention?

Answer 24

Annex I: Prevention and elimination of pollution from land-based sources.
Annex II: Prevention and elimination of pollution by dumping or incineration.
Annex III: Prevention and elimination of pollution from offshore sources.
Annex IV: Assessment of the quality of the marine environment.
Annex V: On the protection and conservation of the ecosystems and biological diversity of the maritime area

Question 25

What is the main priority of the European Union regarding water?

Answer 25

The main priority of the European Union regarding water is to get polluted water clean again and ensure that clean waters remain clean.

Question 26

What is the demand from citizens and environmental organizations regarding water in Europe?

Answer 26

There is an increasing demand from citizens and environmental organizations in Europe for cleaner waters, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters

Question 27

What significant event occurred in 1980 regarding water quality regulation?

Answer 27

In 1980, the first legally binding quality targets were set for drinking water. Additionally, legislation on fish, shellfish, bathing, and groundwaters was introduced through the “Dangerous Substance Directive.”

Question 28

What directives were implemented in 1991 concerning water management?

Answer 28

In 1991, two important directives were introduced: the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which made secondary treatment obligatory and tertiary treatment if required, and the Nitrates Directive

Question 29

What directive was established in 1996 to address pollution from industries?

Answer 29

In 1996, the Directive for Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) was introduced to address pollution from industries.

Question 30

What significant directive was introduced in 2000 regarding water management?

Answer 30

The Water Framework Directive was introduced in 2000, aiming to establish a framework for the protection and improvement of water quality in European Union (EU) member states.

Question 31

What directive was implemented in 2006 concerning bathing water?

Answer 31

In 2006, the EU introduced the New Bathing Water Directive, which set standards for the quality of bathing water in EU member states.

Question 32

What directive was adopted in 2008 to address marine environmental issues?

Answer 32

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive was adopted in 2008, focusing on establishing a framework for the protection of the marine environment and the sustainable use of marine resources.

Question 33

What strategic approach did the Commission adopt in 2019 regarding environmental contaminants?

Answer 33

In 2019, the European Commission adopted a strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment, recognizing them as one of the main classes of contaminants of emerging concern.

Question 34

What does the Water Framework Directive (WFD) apply to?

Answer 34

The Water Framework Directive applies to inland surface waters, groundwater, and coastal waters across Europe.

Question 35

What is the main objective of the Water Framework Directive?

Answer 35

The main objective of the Water Framework Directive is to establish a legal framework for protecting and restoring clean water across Europe and ensuring its long-term, sustainable use.

Question 36

What assessments are required at regional levels under the Water Framework Directive?

Answer 36

At regional levels, countries must assess the ecological status of their waters, including the impact of human activities.

Question 37

What is the ultimate goal of the Water Framework Directive?

Answer 37

The ultimate goal of the Water Framework Directive is to achieve “good status” for all waters by a set deadline, addressing both chemical and ecological aspects.

Question 38

When did Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks enter into force?

Answer 38

Directive 2007/60/EC, also known as the EU Floods Directive, entered into force on 26 November 2007

Question 39

What are the requirements of the EU Floods Directive (2007)?

Answer 39

The EU Floods Directive requires Member States to assess if all watercourses and coastlines are at risk from flooding, map the flood extent, identify assets and humans at risk, and implement coordinated measures to reduce flood risk.

Question 40

How does the EU Floods Directive reinforce public rights?

Answer 40

The EU Floods Directive reinforces the rights of the public to access flood risk information and to participate in the planning process

Question 41

What are the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008)?

Answer 41

To protect and preserve the marine environment, preventing deterioration and restoring ecosystems where feasible.
To prevent and reduce inputs into the marine environment, aiming to phase out pollution to avoid significant impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, human health, or legitimate uses of the sea

Question 42

What is the purpose of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008)?

Answer 42

The directive aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the protection and sustainable management of the marine environment within European Union waters

Question 43

What is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008)?

Answer 43

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the first EU legislation focused on the protection of marine biodiversity

Question 44

What is the objective of the MSFD?

Answer 44

The MSFD aims to improve coordination between EU member states and achieve “Good Environmental Status” (GES) in marine waters by 2020.