Cargo Record Book (Record Book for Noxious Liquid Substances)
MARPOL Annex II requires the Cargo Record Book for every ship certified to carry NLS in bulk, with defined signatures, availability and retention, and prewash control by the surveyor authorised by the competent Government.
Operational Explanation
The Annex II Cargo Record Book promptly records Appendix 2 operations. Each entry is signed by the officer or officers in charge and each completed page by the Master. For Category X, endorsement, alternative procedure or exemption involve the surveyor appointed or authorised by the Government of the receiving Party and the approved P&A Manual.
Regulatory Reference
MARPOL Annex II, Regulations 2, 13, 15 and 16. The book remains readily available, on board except for an unmanned ship under tow, and is retained for three years after the last entry. The Government of the receiving Party appoints or authorises surveyors and grants prescribed exemptions.
Scope of Application
Every ship to which Annex II applies: every ship certified to carry Noxious Liquid Substances in bulk, including an oil tanker when so certified.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Promptly record each Appendix 2 operation with the applicable code and particulars.
- Have each entry signed by the officer or officers in charge and each completed page by the Master.
- For Category X follow the P&A Manual and ordinary procedure: prewash before departure, effluent to the reception facility until ≤0.1% by weight and then until the tank is empty, endorsed by the authorised surveyor.
- Use the Regulation 13.6.3 alternative only when accepted by the competent Government; separately document any exemption under Regulations 13.4 and 16.6–16.7.
- Keep the book available and retain it for three years after the last entry.
Practical Example
Category X: prewash under the P&A Manual; samples analysed by the surveyor appointed or authorised by the Government of the receiving Party until ≤0.1% by weight, discharge to the reception facility until tank empty, and endorsed entry. If measurement is impracticable without undue delay, use only the formally accepted alternative procedure.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Restricting the book to chemical tankers, confusing entry and page signatures, or assigning endorsement and exemption to a generic terminal surveyor.
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Prewash not compliant with the P&A Manual | Annex II breach | Follow the approved Manual and authorised surveyor |
| Entry and page signatures confused | Incomplete record | Check responsible-officer and Master signatures |
| Analytical procedure treated as the only possible route | Formally accepted alternative is ignored | Distinguish ordinary route, Regulation 13.6.3 and exemption |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Always identify the formal basis for the surveyor's appointment or authorisation.
- Do not wait for universal analytical confirmation where the competent Government accepted the prescribed alternative.
- Do not confuse exemption, alternative procedure and ordinary Category X prewash.
Preparation checklist
- Annex II applicability checked
- Entries promptly recorded and signed by responsible officers
- Each completed page signed by Master
- Government-appointed/authorised surveyor identified for Category X
- Alternative procedure or exemption formally documented
- Book available and retained three years
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 31 August 2026 · page fingerprint 13342041d826