1) Solid Waste: Segregation, Storage, and Proof
Typical problems

• Overflowing bins and mixed waste that fail inspections
• No clear labeling for plastics, glass, metals, food, and general waste
• Crew unsure what can be incinerated, compacted, or landed ashore

Technician solution

• Design and install color-coded segregation stations with secured mounts
• Fit compactors/incinerator where appropriate and integrate fire safety
• Set up a shoreside landing routine with receipts and a simple waste log

Tip: Keep a laminated “what goes where” sheet at the galley and crew mess to prevent cross-contamination.

2) Sewage (Black & Grey Water): Treat, Hold, or Discharge Legally
Typical problems

• Clogged or underperforming treatment plants
• Non-compliant overboard discharge in restricted areas
• No records of pump-outs or plant maintenance

Technician solution

• Install/upgrade MARPOL-approved sewage treatment plants sized to guest count
• Service macerators, valves, sensors, and backflow prevention
• Connect to certified pump-out stations and keep receipts in the log

Tip: Schedule a quarterly performance check to keep effluent quality within limits—far cheaper than an emergency repair mid-season.

3) Bilge & Oily Waste: Separate, Monitor, Document
Typical problems

• Oily Water Separator (OWS) not calibrated or bypassed
• Alarm or oil content meter inoperative
• No traceable documentation for bilge landings

Technician solution

• Fit/overhaul MARPOL-compliant OWS with tamper-proof plumbing
• Test alarms and oil content monitors; replace sensors proactively
• Implement a bilge management plan with printed SOPs and disposal records

Tip: Photograph OWS serial numbers and last calibration sticker—auditors love quick evidence.

4) Air Emissions & Fuel: Annex VI Made Simple
Typical problems

• Using high-sulfur fuel in ECA/transit scenarios
• Exhaust backpressure and soot due to poor maintenance
• Missing emissions logs or crew unfamiliar with procedures

Technician solution

• Align fueling strategy with sulfur caps; add polishing/filtration as needed
• Maintain/retrofit exhaust gas cleaning (scrubbers) and ensure correct dosing
• Create an emissions log template and brief the crew before each voyage

Tip: Keep your bunker delivery notes (BDNs) and lab analyses together with your logs—organized paperwork speeds up inspections.

5) Hazardous Materials & Chemicals: Control from Locker to Log
Typical problems

• Unlabeled cleaners, paints, solvents, and batteries
• No dedicated spill kit or expired absorbents
• Missing or outdated Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Technician solution

• Build a chemical locker plan with ventilation, bunding, and racking
• Label every container; keep SDS in a waterproof binder and digitally
• Train crew in spill response; log drills and disposal receipts

Tip: Put a QR code on the locker door linking to a digital SDS folder to keep updates painless.

6) Record-Keeping: Your Best Defense
Typical problems

• Gaps in garbage, sewage, bilge, and bunkering logs
• No proof of shore disposal or system servicing
• Crew turnover causing inconsistent entries

Technician solution

• Standardize MARPOL-compliant logbooks (paper + digital) with simple daily/weekly checks
• Add calendar reminders for scheduled discharges, pump-outs, and calibrations
• Train relief crew with a 20-minute handover on logs and equipment locations

Tip: A short weekly “green audit” by the chief engineer or bosun keeps everyone aligned and leaves a tidy paper trail.

Local expertise: YachtService.me in Tivat & Boka Bay
As a yacht service Montenegro provider, we deliver audit-to-action support: onboard surveys, equipment selection, installation, crew briefings, and documentation packs. From emergency fixes to scheduled yacht repair Tivat, our team ensures your systems match the operational profile of your vessel—not just the rulebook. Expect clear budgets, fast sourcing, and after-service verification so you pass inspections with confidence.
What a typical compliance package includes

• Pre-season mini-audit with findings and priorities
• Upgrades to waste, sewage, bilge, emissions, and chemical storage as needed
• Commissioning tests, calibration certificates, and labeled SOPs
• Crew training + digital templates for logs and receipts
• Mid-season check and end-season report for hassle-free winters

Conclusion: Make Compliance Routine, Not a Fire Drill
MARPOL compliance becomes easy when systems, crew habits, and paperwork work together. If you operate around Kotor or plan charters across the Adriatic, partner with local specialists who know the waters and the inspections. Book a compliance check with yachtservice.me, streamline your yacht maintenance, and sail confidently with a clean, audit-ready vessel.
Call to action: Ready to close your compliance gaps? Contact yachtservice.me for a fast onboard assessment and a tailored Boka Bay yacht service plan.