1. Decree No. 53 of 31 August 1976 establishes that tankers of more than 150 tons gross tonnage and other ships over 400 tons gross tonnage must carry and oil record book as established by Regulation 20 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78), on which an entry shall be made every time that the operations indicated in such article are undertaken.

2. It is Necessary that be a printed oil record book valid at least thirty (30) voyages, carried aboard all vessels.
3. The following entries shall be mabe in the oil record book whenever any of the operations listed in Regulation 20 of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, take place in the ship:

1. for tankers

1. loading of oil cargo;
2. transfer of oil cargo during voyage;
3. discharge of oil cargo;
4. ballasting of cargo tanks;
5. cleaning of cargo tanks;
6. discharge of dirty ballast;
7. discharge of water from slop-tanks;
8. disposal of residues;
9. discharge overboard of bilge water containing oil which has accumulated in machinery spaces while in port, and the routine discharge at sea of bilge water containing oil unless the latter has been entered in the appropriate logbook;

1. for ships other than tankers:

1. ballasting or cleaning of bunker fuel tanks;
2. discharge of dirty ballast or cleaning water from tanks referred to under (i) of this subparagraph;
3. disposal of residues;
4. discharge overboard of bilge water containing oil which has accumulated in machinery spaces while in port, and the routine discharge at sea of bilge water containing oil unless the latter has entered in the appropriate logbook.

2. It is utmost important to remind shipowners/operators that Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs in New York requires during the annual safety inspection that adherence to these requirements is followed. Noncompliance with such requirements may subject the owner of the vessel a fine.
3. The Oil Record Book may be obtained from the Consulates or directly from the Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs in New York for a fee of $60.00. A receipt should be obtained from the respective Consulate or from the Directorate Consular and Maritime Affairs.

June 1981

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular should be directed to:
Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Representative Office,
Republic of Panama, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.