What is the allowed distance for garbage dumping at sea?

The allowed distance for garbage dumping at sea is 12 nautical miles (NM) from the baseline. This regulation is in accordance with international maritime law, specifically the MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Annex V, which addresses the disposal of garbage from ships. According to these regulations, ships are required to keep a certain distance from the coastline when discharging waste.

More specifically, ships are prohibited from dumping garbage within 3 nautical miles of the baseline of territorial seas, which is why the 12 nautical mile distance is emphasized for compliance with environmental protection standards. Understanding this regulation is crucial for all maritime operations to minimize pollution and protect marine environments.