SMPEP - Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan

The Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances (SMPEP) is a mandatory document under MARPOL Annex II for vessels carrying noxious liquid substances (NLS) in bulk, and is also required for vessels subject to the OPRC-HNS Protocol. The SMPEP extends the principles of the oil-focused SOPEP to cover hazardous and noxious substances—a category that encompasses many of the chemicals carried or bunkered aboard large superyachts, including refrigerants, certain cleaning agents carried in commercial quantities, and other regulated substances. Vessels of 150GT and above that carry NLS are required to have an approved SMPEP. This professional package provides a complete, flag state-ready plan and the supporting response tools.

Who Needs This

Superyachts that carry noxious liquid substances in bulk—whether as cargo, operational chemicals, or regulated fluids—may require an approved SMPEP under MARPOL Annex II and the OPRC-HNS Protocol, depending on their flag state’s specific application rules. Vessels operating in port states that apply the HNS Convention are subject to inspection of SMPEP documentation. Charter yachts carrying regulated substances as part of their operational inventory should obtain a SMPEP as a precautionary compliance measure. This package is also appropriate for any vessel whose flag state has indicated that SMPEP requirements apply.

What’s Included

SMPEP Template

A fully structured Word document covering the required content of a SMPEP under MEPC.85(44) as updated by MEPC.137(53): vessel particulars and NLS inventory, reporting procedures and notification chains, actions to control discharges or spills of noxious substances, coordination with national and coastal authorities, and appendices for ship-specific response procedures. The template follows the parallel structure to the SOPEP, making it straightforward to implement alongside an existing oil pollution plan.

Companion Guide

A practical completion guide explaining each section of the SMPEP—what the regulation requires, how to identify and document the NLS categories aboard your vessel, how to establish the correct reporting chain for your flag state and operating area, and how to maintain the plan as your substance inventory or trading pattern changes.

Quick Reference Card

A laminate-ready card for the bridge or operations station summarising the immediate response actions, the NLS reporting hierarchy, and the key contacts for coastal authority notification during a noxious substance incident.

Pollution Reporting Form Templates

Pre-formatted reporting forms covering the notification requirements of MARPOL Annex II and the OPRC-HNS Protocol, ready for use during an incident.

Spill Response Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for the master and officers covering containment actions, crew safety during NLS incidents, evidence preservation, and authority notification sequence.

Regulatory Compliance

This SMPEP template satisfies MARPOL Annex II requirements and the IMO guidelines in MEPC.85(44) as amended by MEPC.137(53). It is compatible with OPRC-HNS Protocol requirements and designed to meet the requirements of the Red Ensign Group, Marshall Islands, Malta, and Bahamas flag state administrations. The reporting forms are structured to meet the notification requirements of major coastal state authorities.

How to Use

1. Download all files immediately after purchase
2. Read the Companion Guide to understand which NLS categories apply to your vessel
3. Complete the vessel particulars and NLS inventory sections of the SMPEP template
4. Establish the coastal authority notification chain for your primary operating areas
5. Ensure the Spill Response Checklist is accessible to deck and engineering officers
6. Submit the completed SMPEP to your flag state for endorsement
7. File the approved plan with your MARPOL documentation and brief the officers

Why Choose Our Template

This SMPEP was developed with direct reference to flag state survey practice and MARPOL Annex II enforcement standards. The template is structured to be completed without specialist chemical engineering knowledge—the companion guide walks through the NLS categorisation process in plain language. The spill response checklist gives officers a clear action sequence during the stress of an actual incident, when the full plan may not be readily accessible. When MEPC requirements change, the package is updated and existing customers receive the revision at no additional cost.