The correct answer is A) A person falls overboard, and a plastic ice chest is thrown for flotation. The reason this is the correct answer is that Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 provides an exception to the garbage discharge requirements for the disposal of floating items used to rescue a person from the sea. Throwing a plastic ice chest or other floating object to aid in a person overboard situation is considered an acceptable discharge under this exception, even though it would otherwise be prohibited. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not represent exceptions to the Annex V garbage discharge requirements. Exceeding onboard storage space, discharging sinkable garbage, or the inability of the destination port to receive garbage do not exempt a vessel from complying with the Annex V regulations.