Foreword This publication was prepared by the OPRC-HNS Technical Group@ a subsidiary body of IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee. It replaces the 1983 edition of the Manual on Oil Pollution@ Section I ?C Prevention. This revised edition significantly updates the information included in the previous edition and includes several new sections covering@ in particular@ prevention aspects of ship-to-ship transfers at sea and the prevention of pollution from ships in ice covered waters. The Manual on Oil Pollution@ Section I aims to provide useful information to assist governments@ in particular those of developing countries@ in taking appropriate measure to prevent or minimize operational and accidental pollution from ships@ in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships@ 1973@ as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL). MARPOL is the main international convention aimed at protecting the marine environment from operational and accidental pollution from ships. Its six annexes regulate the prevention of marine pollution by oil@ noxious liquid substances in bulk@ harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form@ sewage@ and garbage@ as well as the prevention of air pollution. The Manual on Oil Pollution series consists of six sections: Section I Prevention (contained in this publication) Section II Contingency Planning (revised edition published 1995) Section III Salvage (revised edition published 1997) Section IV Combating Oil Spills (revised edition published 2005) Section V Administrative Aspects of Oil Pollution Response (revised edition published 2009) Section VI IMO Guidelines for Sampling and Identification of Oil Spills (published 1998) A greater understanding of spill effects and damages has strengthened the resolve of many governments to focus efforts on prevention. The premise of this manual is that every oil spill@ regardless of its size or its source@ is worthy of prevention efforts at some level. It is widely understood that the size of an oil spill alone does not determine the degree of its resulting damage ?C either environmentally or economically. This section of the Manual on Oil Pollution is intended to provide practical guidance@ describing procedures for the handling of oil cargoes@ bunkering@ ship-to-ship transfer operations@ transfer operations involving offshore units and operations in ice covered waters. It also provides an overview of the various practices@ as a complement to the more detailed industry standards and codes of practice currently in place. The information provided does not supersede or replace any information@ laws@ or regulations contained in any other publications with respect to the waters and areas to which it pertains.