What is the primary reason the EOW is responsible for waste oil management?

The primary reason the Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOW) is responsible for waste oil management is to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Many maritime regulations and international conventions, such as MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), impose strict guidelines on the handling and disposal of waste oil to minimize pollution in marine environments. As a result, the EOW must oversee waste oil management practices to guarantee that the ship complies with these regulations, thereby preventing environmental harm and potential legal consequences.

Effective waste oil management also demonstrates a commitment to protecting the marine environment and upholding the ship’s reputation. Although other factors like fuel efficiency, operating costs, and machinery performance are important considerations in overall ship operations, they are secondary to the immediate necessity of adhering to environmental laws and regulations.