PROTECTION OF THE SEAS FROM POLLUTION BY VESSEL ’ S SEWAGE WITH REFERENCE TO LEGAL REGULATIONS

This paper deals with the rules and regulations pertaining to the protection of the marine environment from the pollution by vessel’s sewage. There is an international perspective on legal regulations dealing with this matter, but the sensitive marine environment has not been properly covered. Some maritime countries have set forth their own and more strict regulations to provide for a more efficient protection of their marine environments. Having compared the international legal regulations for the protection of the seas from pollution by vessel’s sewage with the regulations of individual countries that have stricter regulations, a certain similarity has been noticed in some criteria, but also significant differences in some other criteria concerning allowed discharge of treated or untreated waste waters from the vessels. Amendments to the valid legal regulations and establishment of new rules pertaining to the marine environment are of particular importance in order to provide for a more effective protection of the seas from the increasing pollution from vessel’s sewage preventing thus the negative influence onto marine organisms, human health and economy.


INTRODUCTION
Pollution of the marine environment is one of the major ecological problems nowadays.
Pollution is to be considered as the human direct or indirect introduction of matter or energy into the marine environment causing or liable to cause lethal consequences onto the living conditions of the marine and underwater flora and fauna, i.e. liable to jeopardize in general the marine living conditions as well as the human health and also to present a serious obstacle in maritime business, including fishing and other legal utilization of the seas and underwater world, to cause deterioration of the sea water quality and reduce attractiveness of the marine environment.A large number of national and international regulations have been set forth, the International Maritime Organisation -IMO -having played one of the major roles within the process. 1 Besides the international regulations for the prevention of marine pollution from vessels, many maritime nations have set forth their own regulations not complying with the international regulations.The reason for this is the fact that the mentioned maritime nations have not ratified some of the international conventions pertaining to this matter, or have brought their own and stricter regulations for the prevention of marine pollution in general, including pollution from vessels 2 .Legal regulations, that have evolved and developed in the meantime, have contributed to slowing down the pollution of the seas by vessel's sewage.However, not withstanding the existing rules, some marine environments are still insufficiently protected and exposed to pollution.There is a series of disadvantages to the existing legal regulations that need remedy.Standardisation of the rules or their improvement may certainly lead to improvement in the protection of the marine environment from the pollution by vessel's sewage.

THE TERM OF WASTE WATERS
The term waste waters understands the used water whose physical, chemical and biological proper-ties have been changed to such an extent that it cannot be used for any other purpose without previous treatment, even when the water does not have to be clean.
The problem of waste waters on vessels is a specific problem, both due to the diversity and quantity of accumulated waste water as well as the procedures for their disposal, which are dictated by environmental regulations that are constantly getting stricter.Waste waters accumulated on vessels can be divided into bilge water and sanitary waste water. 3ilge waters are categorised as industrial waste waters, and they are the result of accumulation of waters with high content of oil in the machinery spaces, accumulation of oil mixtures, sea water, fuel sludge, degreasing and washing chemicals.
"Black water" and "grey water" are generally considered as sanitary waste waters, as follows: Sewage (black water) 1) discharges and other residues from all kinds of water closets (lavatories), urinals and toilets; 2) discharges from sinks, bathtubs and other installations in medical area (infirmary, hospital, etc.); 3) discharges from live stock spaces; 4) other waste waters, if they mix with the above mentioned discharges.Waste water from laundry and accommodation (grey water) 1) waste waters from sinks, showers, bathtubs and their discharges except for the above mentioned water; 2) waste waters from laundries; 3) waste waters from washing provisions, kitchen appliances and food stores and restaurants. 4torage time of the sewage accumulated on vessels varies and the water content in it is reduced (higher concentration) as consequence of reduced utilization of water for flushing sanitary units. 5tandards have been set regulating discharges of black and grey waters into the sea from vessels.Consequently, the vessels have been provided with equipment and installations for collection, storage, treatment and discharge of black and grey waters.Depending on the type of vessel, there is a series of various installations, equipment and systems for manipulation of these waters.Namely, on some vessels there are completely separate systems of grey and black waters that are being separately treated, while on some other vessels there are systems which after separate collection of grey and black waters, carry on the storage and further treatment in single storage tanks and equipment mixing and processing thus the black and grey waters together.The mixture of black and grey water actually becomes black water.
The type of waste water treatment equipment installed onboard vessels is also determined by legal regulations insofar as the parameters and limitations which the equipment must comply with have been prescribed by law.Certificates are being issued for such equipment as required by international regulations and standards and the certificates must be issued in compliance with them.
The following indicators are usually used to define properties of waste waters and treatment installations: -Biochemical oxygen demand-BOD5 6 -Faecal coliforms 7 -Suspended solids 8 Total residual chlorine, (an indicator only in some cases, e.g."Alaska Waste Water Regulations").

IMPACT OF SANITARY WASTE WATERS ON MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Sewage (black water) contains various dangerous ingredients presenting a threat to human health, marine flora and fauna.
Sewage contains pathogenic organisms, viruses and bacteria that may cause human diseases, including salmonella, hepatitis A and E, gastrointestinal diseases and infections.Therefore, sewage is a threat to public health if it is discharged within the coastal areas utilized for recreation, such as swimming, diving and nautical tourism.It is also harmful to fishing and shellfish farming, since shellfish filtrate sea water retaining the particles and thus present a potential hazard of infecting the consumers of such shellfish or fish.Disintegration of faecal residues draws oxygen from the surrounding water, and if the discharged quantity is abundant the quantity of oxygen for fish and other marine organisms may be insufficient causing death of sea-life.Closed and shallow seas are exposed to greater risk under such circumstances.
Nutrients in sewage may cause algal overgrowth reducing the level of oxygen in the sea water, and consequently causing destruction of fish, corals, sea weed and other marine organisms. 9ewage waste waters contain also chlorine, dioxin, ammonium or formaldehyde which are often used in sewage waste water treatment units as disinfectants prior to discharge outboard. 10Chlorine is extremely toxic even in small quantities and thus a serious hazard to marine live organisms and human health.
Metals (copper, lead, zinc, etc.) can also be found in sewage waste waters and in certain concentrations they are also toxic for living organisms.
"Grey water" can contain numerous elements polluting the marine environment, such as oil, grease, ammonium, phosphates, detergents, degreasers, pesticides, copper, lead, zinc, mercury and other heavy metals.

LEGAL REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO PROBLEMS WITH SANITARY WASTE WATER FROM VESSELS
The problem of discharge and storage of sanitary waste waters from vessels, as well as equipment and certificates that the vessels must obtain in order to satisfy the prescribed standards, has been regulated by international rules and regulations as well as national regulations in maritime countries.

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REGULATIONS
The most important international regulation pertaining to the problem of sea pollution from vessels is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78 (MARPOL 73/78) brought by IMO 11 .MARPOL Convention sets standards and rules preventing pollution of the sea by oils, chemicals, harmful matter transported in any form of packages, sewage and garbage, emission of harmful gases and ballast.It aims at preventing or reducing marine pollution from ships, whether it occurred in an emergency situation or during regular ship operation.However, the discharge and pumping of sanitary waters are considered as regular ship operations.The Convention comprises a number of Annexes and Annex IV contains provisions regulating prevention and supervision of marine pollution by sewage waste waters from ships.Annex IV to the Convention refers to: a) prohibiting or limiting discharge, b) issuance of certificates and inspections, c) equipment and supervision of discharge, d) shore reception facilities.
MARPOL Annex IV is applicable to ships on international voyages that are 400 gross tonnage and more; or less than 400 gross tonnage when certified to carry more than 15 persons. 12ccording to MARPOL Annex IV, the discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when: -the ship is discharging sewage which is not comminuted and disinfected at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, provided that in any case, the sewage that has been stored in the holding tanks or sewage originating from spaces containing live animals, shall not be discharged instantaneously but at a moderate rate when the ship is en route and proceeding at not less than 4 knots, and that the maximum permissible discharge rate is 1/200,000 of swept volume as follows: DRmax=0.00926×V×D×Bwhere: Drmax is the maximum permissible discharge rate (m3/h); V is ship's average speed (knots) over the period; D is Draft (m); B is Breadth (m). 13he ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved system at a distance of more than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land; -the ship is discharging sewage using an approved sewage treatment plant; the results of treatment effectiveness of the plant are laid down in the ship's International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate and the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids nor cause discolouration of the surrounding water.Such discharge is allowed when the ship is at any location.
The equipment for the supervision of discharge on board must include at least one of the following sewage systems: -A sewage treatment plant which will be of a type approved by the Administration, taking into account the standards and test methods developed by the IMO.-A sewage comminuting and disinfecting system approved by the Administration.Such system will be fitted with facilities to the satisfaction of the Administration, for the temporary storage of sewage when the ship is less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land.-A holding tank of the capacity to the satisfaction of the Administration for retention of all and which will have means to indicate visually the amount of its contents.-In case the ship is equipped with sewage treatment plant, then the prescribed quality standards are effluent from sewage plant. 14o enable pipes of reception facilities to be connected with the ship's discharge pipeline, both lines will be fitted with a Standard Discharge Connection (standardised dimensions).
"International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate" will be issued to the ship by the Administration (or persons or organisations authorised by it), and after the general survey of the ship and installations according to the provisions set forth in Annex IV to the Convention.The certificate comprises general data on the ship, the sewage system and type of sewage plant, as well as the results of tests made in compliance with the stated restrictions.
Government of each nation that has adopted the Convention is liable to ensure installation of sewage reception facilities in ports and terminals.
Although they do not address the matter to the extent and precision of MARPOL, there are several other international sources dealing with prevention from marine pollution by vessel's sewage: -The United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (1982) 15 The Convention on Law of the Sea gives guidance to maritime states to practice co-operation and among other things to adjust implementation of rights and obligations with respect to the protection and preservation of the marine environment.

-Convention for Protection of the Mediterranean
Sea against Pollution, adopted in Barcelona in 1976 The major obligation of the signatories to the Convention is the implementation of all the necessary measures for prevention, reduction and suppression of pollution as well as protection and development of the marine environment.When amending the Mediterranean system in 1995 a revised and amended convention was adopted under the title Convention for Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean 16 .

LEGAL REGULATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
As far as marine pollution from ships is concerned, most of the regulations are the result of adopting relevant international conventions under the International Maritime Organisation, but also of the implementation of the European Union rules and regulations 17 .
The Republic of Croatia has adopted the MARPOL Convention 18 .
In the Republic of Croatia, the problem of protection of the sea from the discharge of sewage has been regulated by a series of laws and regulations, such as: -"Maritime Law" 19 , -"Environmental Protection Act" 20 , -"Regulations on Protection of Marine Environment in the Ecological-Fishing Zone of the Republic of Croatia".The rules for building and supervision of ships of the Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS) 21 , like many other classification societies, are based on the stipulations set forth in IMO Conventions and Resolutions (MARPOL and SOLAS).Consequently, the equipment, installations and certificates for the treatment of sewage waste waters comply with the MARPOL Convention.CRS also sets standards on the restriction of chlorine, if it is used as disinfectant of sewage waste waters.The total residual chlorine in the water discharged into the sea must not exceed 0.5 mg/l 22 .

LEGAL REGULATIONS IN THE EU
Member states of the EU are signatories of MAR-POL Convention, pursuant to which they implement regulations and restrictions pertaining to discharge of sewage from vessels.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) 23 is the most important of all EU institutions and bodies for monitoring and inspection of pollution.
The EU has incorporated many documents, strategic instruments, initiatives and action plans in protection and preservation of the marine environment as a whole, and especially in protection of the Mediterranean.
One of the most important documents related to the waste waters from vessels is Directive 2007/71/ EC 24 of the European Parliament and the Council regarding port reception facilities for sewage from ships and cargo residues.It has been implemented as of 17th September 2009 and according to it the ships are obliged to advise the port of call on the condition of sewage waste waters on board, i.e. the master must advise the port authorities at the latest 24 hours prior to arrival by filling in the required form.The ships are required to pump out their sewage waters into port reception facilities if the ship cannot discharge sewage waters in compliance with MARPOL or if the ship's capacities are not sufficient to keep the sewage waste waters onboard until the next port of call, including the sewage collected until that next port of call.The  Directive 2000/59EC 25 was brought to ensure joint ecological standards for private facilities (for liquid and crude waste from ships and cargo residues) in all ports within the EU.Environmental protection requirements should apply to all ships regardless of the flag.The purpose is to reduce the quantity of sewage discharged.
The Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) 26 was brought in order to adjust the international standards with the regional and national development strategies, in particular having in mind the reduction of unsustainable barrier between the developed Mediterranean countries and the developing countries.The strategy is applied in the Mediterranean countries that are members of the EU, but also the potential members.Indirectly it can be applied onto the Mediterranean countries neighbouring the EU.Seven priority fields of action have been determined, that are the most endangered.Sustainable sea management, coastal management and marine resources are one of them.
Directive 2005/35/EZ 27 of the European Parliament and the Council dated 7th September 2005 on pollution from ships and introduction of fines for breaches was brought with the aim of incorporating international standards on pollution from ships into the EU legislation and of ensuring individual responsibility and penalties for discharge from ships.
Directive 2099/2002/EZ 28 of the European Parliament and the Council dated 5th November 2005 instituting the Committee of Safe Seas and Prevention from Pollution from Ships (COSS) and changing the Regulations on Safety on Sea and Prevention from Pollution from Ships, was brought to improve the implementation of EU regulations on the safety at the sea, prevention from pollution from ships and living and working conditions onboard.

LEGAL REGULATIONS IN THE USA
The USA are not signatory of the MARPOL Convention Annex IV 29 , but they have their own legal regulations covering discharge of sewage waste waters.In conformity with the federal laws grey waste waters are not defined as pollutant and there are no special legal regulations defining the standards for discharge of grey water (similar to MARPOL Convention).
Major federal agencies having the jurisdiction over the issue of sewage waste waters are: the US Coast Guard, 30 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 31 and the Department of Justice 32 .
Clean Water Act Section 312 33 pertains to the standards of discharge from Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) 34 , as well as the procedure for determining No Discharge Zones (NDZ) 35 , for ship's sewage in the zones where any discharge of sewage is prohibited.Presently there are a total 67 No Discharge Zones in the USA 36 .
Generally speaking, Section 312 is being implemented in co-operation with the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency.Pursuant to this Section, marine sanitation devices must be installed (MSD), approved and attested by the U.S. Coast Guard, on all commercial and recreational vessels equipped with toilets.These devices must satisfy EPA standards.
Nevertheless, Section 312 is not implemented within 3nm from shore, where discharge of untreated sewage waste water is prohibited.
The U.S. Coast Guard recognizes and approves 3 types of Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) which are according to 33 CFR Part 159 37 : -Type I MSD -are flow-through treatment devices that commonly use maceration and disinfection for treatment of sewage.Type I devices may be used only on vessels less than 19.7m (65 feet).EPA's performance standard for effluent are max 1000 faecal coliforms per 100 ml of water with no visible floating solids.-Type II MSD -are also flow-through treatment devices, generally employing biological treatment and disinfection.Some of these devices use maceration and disinfection.Type II MSD may be used on vessels of any size.EPA's performance standard is an effluent with a faecal coliform count not to exceed 200 per 100ml of water and total suspended solids no greater than 150mg per litre of water.-Type III MSD -are holding tanks, where sewage is stored until it can be properly disposed of at a shore-side pump-out facility or out at the sea (beyond 3 miles from shore).Type III MSD may be used on vessels of any size.However, Type II MSD may be equipped with installed holding tanks which can be used to store treated sewage until reaching a shore-side pump-out facility or discharged overboard when vessel is beyond 3 miles from land.The U.S. Coast Guard also carries out inspections of foreign ships calling USA waters, and if the ships have a valid International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPPC) in compliance with MARPOL Annex IV, and provided the device is in working order, they accept that the marine sanitation device is in compliance with stipulation 33 CFR 159. 38esides the above mentioned federal regulations in the USA, there are separate regulations in individual states within the USA, each having its own laws and regulations.Namely, the state of Alaska is particularly known to have brought regulations and restrictions which are by far the strictest in the USA.The standards

LEGAL REGULATIONS IN AUSTRALIA
Australia is a signatory of MARPOL Convention with all its addenda and all stipulations from MARPOL Annex IV are applied.Inspections of ships calling the Australian waters are performed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) 41 .
Besides the stipulations in MARPOL there are also regulations covering separate regions (first of all  Pursuant to these regulations discharge of untreated sewage waters is strictly prohibited in the waters of Queensland for all ships carrying over 16 persons, and for ships carrying from 7-15 persons it is prohibited to discharge untreated sewage water within 1nm from the nearest land, coral reefs or in case of men over-board (here it refers to swimmers, fishermen or sportsmen practicing various activities in the sea).Table 4 shows the standards for discharge of sewage waste waters in Australian waters.

CONCLUSION
Pollution of marine environment by sewage waters has been increasing due to pollution from land and pollution from vessels due to increased seaborne trade.The international community has set forth legal regulations covering this issue in order to properly protect not only the marine environment but also the human health, which is also often exposed to hazards due to pollution from sewage waste waters.Nevertheless, the sea has still remained a fragile area exposed to various pollutants and risks.The reasons for still insufficient effectiveness in protection and preservation of the seas are complex and numerous.Besides the economical, political and other differences between the states and the problem of limited financial resources, we can point out the still low political priority being given to the environment as well as the lack of public awareness on the problem of environmental protection in some countries.
Consequently, besides the international regulations, some states have set forth their own regulations which are stricter, aiming to better protect their particularly sensitive areas, since the internationally recognised regulations have their disadvantages and there is still room for improvement.
For example, MARPOL Annex IV does not refer to vessels carrying fewer than 15 persons, nor to ships in domestic navigation, ferries for example being a good example of the category presenting risk from marine pollution from sewage.
Furthermore, stipulation 11.2 of Annex IV does not apply to ships owned by the state or ships arriving from other countries while they are still in the relevant country waters, if requirements prescribed by that country are less strict.Thus, the ships can manipulate with weaknesses of the state legislations of some countries.
The quantity of sewage produced onboard is directly connected to the number of persons onboard, and not on the size of the vessel.Pollution by sewage waste waters from a larger number of smaller vessels that are not subject to these legal regulations may be more abundant in quantity than from larger vessels that have installed and utilize sewage treatment plants as prescribed by law.
Pollution by vessel's sewage presents a particular problem to tourism, especially when tourism is based on various water activities such as swimming or nautical tourism.In Croatia, as well as in most of the countries signatories of MARPOL Convention, boats and yachts carrying fewer than 15 persons have not been regulated by legal regulations with respect to discharge of sewage waters into the sea, presenting thus a risk from pollution of the sea surface layer by sewage in coastal tourist areas, on beaches and in bays, during the summer months, when boat and yacht traffic is increased.Such pollution may not inflict serious damage to the eco-system, but it will certainly, through the visual effect of the sea surface along beaches and the shore, leave negative effect on tourism.
In the Baltic Sea, the problem of introducing nutrients into the sea by discharge of sewage from shore and off-board is becoming one of the most actual problems of this Sea.The Baltic countries have already started their initiative towards the international community and IMO for adoption of new amendments as obligatory instruments, referring to the establishment of ''special zones'' to prevent pollution from sewage waste waters and declaring the Baltic Sea as one of such zones. 43The adoption of amendment to Annex IV, namely, is currently being considered, in which, besides the ''special zones'' for protection from pollution from sewage waste waters, additional standards would be set for the quality of discharge from sewage treatment plants only for passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers and sailing within the ''special zones''.This amendment would provide for reduction of nutrients in sewage waters, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, prior to discharge into the sea.
Aiming at better protection of the seas from the pollution from sewage waste waters, it is still necessary to bring amendments to the existing legal regulations both at national and international level.Zone.The Baltic Sea is a closed sea with smaller salinity, where introduction of nutrients caused algal and plankton growth, production of organic matter and reduction of oxygen content, as well as disequilibrium of the ecosystem.

Table 1 -
Sewage water effluent standard after treatment plants and prior to discharge from the ship into the sea, as per MARPOL Annex IV

Table 2 -
Sewage water effluent standard prior to discharge, as per CRS Protection of the Seas from Pollution by Vessel's Sewage with Reference to Legal Regulations purpose of this regulation is to reduce discharge of sewage waters into the sea, in particular the illegal discharges within 3nm from shore.It does not apply to boats and yachts accommodating fewer than 12 passengers, nor to fishing boats.

Table 3 -
Vessel effluent standard comparison in the USA

Table 4 -
Standards for discharge of sewage waste waters in Australian waters Ž. Koboević, P. Komadina, Ž. Kurtela: Protection of the Seas from Pollution by Vessel's Sewage with Reference to Legal Regulations

Table 5 -
Comparison of provisions for discharge and standards for discharge of sewage waters worldwide . Koboević, P. Komadina, Ž. Kurtela: Protection of the Seas from Pollution by Vessel's Sewage with Reference to Legal Regulations morskih prostora.Usporedbom međunarodne zakonske regulative za zaštitu mora od zagađenja fekalnim otpadnim vodama s regulativom pojedinih zemalja koje imaju strožu regulativu, mogu se uočiti sličnosti u nekim kriterijima, ali i velike razlike u drugim kriterijima za dozvoljeno ispuštanje tretirane ili netretirane otpadne fekalne vode s brodova.According to IMO "Conventions by Country" dated 25 th February 2010, USA ratified Annexes I,II,III,V and VI to MARPOL Convention, but not Annex IV dealing with stipulations with respect to pollution by ship's sew-age (http://www.imo.org/Conventions/mainframe.asp?topic_id=248) (21.02.2010) 30.US Coast Guard has the major role in investigations or inspections of ships.Moreover, it carries out testing, approval and issuance of certificates for marine sanitation devices in accordance with the types and standards of the US Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency.31.Environmental Protection Agency sets and develops standards and regulations pertaining to pollution by ships.32.Department of Justice takes lawsuits against offenders of federal laws, including those involved in marine pollution by ships.33.This Act was brought by Environmental Protection Agency, Cruise Ship White Paper, United States Environmental Protection Agency, August 22, 2000.34.The term Marine Sanitation Device refers to the device and equipment installed onboard, and designed to receive, keep, treat, process or discharge sewage waters.35.No Discharge Zones (NDZ), can be approved by EPA under three conditions: a) if the environment requires better protection and if there are adequate reception facilities for sewage waters, b) special sea waters with particular importance for the environment, c) fresh water pumping of replenishment zones.36.Source: Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report, Section 2: Sewage, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 29th December 2008, pp.2-4.37. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33 -Navigation and Navigable Waters, Part 159 -Marine Sanitation Devices.38.Source: Navigation and vessel inspection circular No.1-09, June 23, 2009, US Coast Guard.This provision is being implemented as of 1 st January 2010, since implementation of IMO Resolution MEPC.159(55)Revised Guidelines on Implementation of Effluent Standards and Performance Tests for Sewage Treatment Plants, adopted on 13 th October 2006, implemented on device installed as of 1 st January 2010.(http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/pdf/2009/NVIC_1-09.pdf)(22.02.2010) 39.Code of Federal Regulations, 33 -Navigation and Navigable Waters, 159-Marine Sanitation Devices, Subpart E-Discharge of Effluents in Certain Alaskan Waters by Cruise Vessel Operations 40.Source: Subpart E-Discharge of Effluents in Certain Alaskan Waters by Cruise Vessel Operations, 159.309Limitations on Discharge of Treated Sewage or Greywater.41.AMSA is governmental organisation controlling the efficacy of safety and other services in Australian maritime industry.Organised and with competences similar to US Coast Guard.42.Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Regulation 2008 Subordinate Legislation 2008 No. 254 made under the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995, Volume 2, Queensland Government, (http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/SLS/2008/08SL254V2.pdf)43.IMO MEPC 60/5/x1 Proposal to amend MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV to include the possibility to establish special zones for the prevention of pollution by sewage and to designate the Baltic Sea as such Special Ž. Koboević, P. Komadina, Ž. Kurtela: Protection of the Seas from Pollution by Vessel's Sewage with Reference to Legal Regulations Ž