How should oil spills be reported according to MARPOL regulations?

According to MARPOL regulations, oil spills must be reported by immediately notifying the relevant authorities and documenting the incident in the ship's Oil Record Book. This process ensures that there is a formal record of the spill, which is critical for environmental protection and legal compliance. Reporting to authorities allows for an appropriate and coordinated response to the incident, including mitigating environmental damage and facilitating cleanup efforts.

Documenting the spill in the Oil Record Book serves multiple purposes; it provides a traceable account of the ship's operations and compliance with international marine pollution laws, thus enabling regulatory bodies to monitor and assess a ship's adherence to MARPOL standards.

Other options do not fulfill the legal and regulatory requirements set out by MARPOL. For instance, simply notifying the crew and cleaning the area does not ensure that the spill is reported to appropriate authorities or that necessary documentation is completed. Completing an online report might not comply with the specific reporting procedures mandated by maritime law, which requires immediate direct communication with authorities. Informing local fishermen, while potentially helpful for their safety, does not meet the regulatory obligations surrounding oil spill reporting and could lead to non-compliance with international standards.