Under the international MARPOL regulations under Annex IV, if the ship is less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land, what statement is true?

Correct Answer: Option D — The discharge of any sewage, treated or untreated, is prohibited.

MARPOL Annex IV strictly prohibits the discharge of any sewage within 3 nautical miles of the nearest land. This regulation protects coastal waters and shorelines from biological contamination, regardless of whether the sewage has undergone treatment, disinfection, or comminution processes prior to the intended discharge.