Coast Guard Exams
Question 2245Deck General70% to pass

As soon as the officer in charge of the vessel has taken steps to stop the discharge of oil or oily mixture into a U.S. harbor, what must he do FIRST?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is C) Call the Coast Guard. The reasoning behind this is that under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, vessel operators are required to immediately notify the National Response Center (which is part of the U.S. Coast Guard) of any oil spill or discharge into U.S. waters. This is the first step the officer in charge must take, even before attempting to stop or contain the spill, as it allows the Coast Guard to coordinate the appropriate response and cleanup efforts. The other options, while potentially useful later, are not the immediate first step required by law.

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