In accordance with federal regulations under 33CFR Subchapter O, for oceangoing ships of less than 400 gross tons, what is the required means for preventing pollution by oil as it pertains to handling bilge slops?

Correct Answer: Option C — The oceangoing ship of less than 400 gross tons is EITHER required to retain onboard all oily mixtures either in the bilges or in a slops tank and required to be equipped to discharge these mixtures to a reception facility, OR the ship is required to be equipped with an approved oily-water separator.

Under 33 CFR Part 155, vessels under 400 gross tons must comply with oil pollution prevention requirements. They are permitted to either retain all oily mixtures onboard for discharge to a shore-side reception facility or utilize an approved oily-water separator system to process bilge water before overboard discharge.