SOPEP + SMPEP + VRP

Every vessel operates under a set of shipboard emergency plans covering different pollution scenarios. SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) is the MARPOL Annex I-required plan for oil spills. SMPEP (Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan) is the MARPOL Annex II-required plan for chemical spills, and can also be combined with SOPEP into an integrated SMPEP. Vessels calling US ports must additionally carry a VRP (Vessel Response Plan) under OPA-90 — the US-specific regime that goes beyond MARPOL.

SOPEP — Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

Required under MARPOL Annex I Regulation 37. Applies to every oil tanker > 150 GT and every other vessel > 400 GT. Content:

Procedures for reporting oil pollution incidents. Includes who to notify + how + what information.
Authorities + contact list. Coastal state contacts + P&I Club + owner + emergency response.
Steps for containing + reducing spill. Deploy oil booms, contain to affected tank, transfer to other tanks.
Coordination with national + local authorities. Under the OPRC Convention 1990 (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) framework.
SOPEP kit inventory. Locker with absorbents, non-sparking tools, PPE, ISM records + updated contact list.

SMPEP — Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan

Required under MARPOL Annex II Regulation 17 for chemical tankers. Content is parallel to SOPEP but focused on chemical spills — additional requirements for chemical-specific PPE, decontamination, and neutralisation. Many operators combine SOPEP + SMPEP into a single integrated plan for chemical tanker vessels — see IMO Resolution MEPC.85(44) for combined SOPEP/SMPEP guidelines.

VRP — US Vessel Response Plan (OPA-90)

Required by US OPA-90 for tank vessels + non-tank vessels > 400 GT calling US ports. Regulated by USCG under 33 CFR Part 155 (tank vessels) and 33 CFR Part 155 Subpart J (non-tank vessels). More detailed than SOPEP:

Qualified Individual (QI). Named single point of contact for US authorities during spill response. Available 24/7 with authority to commit spill-response resources.
Oil Spill Removal Organisation (OSRO). Pre-contracted commercial spill-response contractor with defined response capacity + coverage area. Named in the VRP with tier of response.
Salvage + marine firefighting resources. Named in the VRP; must be capable of responding within specified timeframes to specified locations.
Worst Case Discharge scenario. Documented calculation of maximum spill volume under worst-case scenario.
Response drills. Table-top exercises + on-scene deployment drills at specified intervals.
USCG approval. The VRP must be reviewed + approved by USCG. Vessels calling US ports without approved VRP face denial of entry.

Drills + exercises

Each plan mandates crew training + drills:

SOPEP + SMPEP drills. At intervals not exceeding 3 months. Recorded in the ship's log.
VRP drills. Announced + unannounced US-flag drills required by USCG. Foreign-flag vessels calling US ports subject to more limited drill requirements but still audited.
Combined drill. Best practice is combined SOPEP + fire + collision + man-overboard drills at least annually.

PSC verification

PSC officers routinely inspect SOPEP + SMPEP + VRP records. Common findings:

Outdated contact lists (P&I emergency numbers changed, coastal-state contacts changed).
Overdue drill records.
SOPEP locker incomplete or absorbents expired.
Missing Master's signature on plan approval.
Discrepancy between plan + on-board equipment.