Which MARPOL pollution category is regulated by the convention?

• A. Oil, sewage, garbage, air, and ballast water pollution.
• B. Noise pollution near port.
• C. Crew rest schedules.
• D. Navigation lighting standards.

Answer: (A)

MARPOL focuses on preventing pollution from ships in four main areas: oil pollution, sewage, garbage, and air pollution from exhausts. These are the pollution categories defined by the convention. Ballast water pollution is addressed by a separate treaty (the Ballast Water Management Convention), not by MARPOL. So the statement that MARPOL covers oil, sewage, garbage, air, and ballast water pollution includes the four true MARPOL categories but mixes in ballast water as if MARPOL governs it. The other options describe issues MARPOL does not regulate as pollution categories (noise near port, crew rest schedules, navigation lighting standards).