Who is responsible for signing each entry in the garbage record book?

The officer on watch holds the responsibility for signing each entry in the garbage record book. This requirement ensures that there is an accountable and designated individual overseeing and monitoring the management of garbage and waste disposal during their watch. Proper documentation in the garbage record book is essential for compliance with MARPOL regulations regarding marine pollution prevention, indicating the handling, disposal, and management of waste generated on board.

The captain, while ultimately responsible for the overall operation and compliance of the vessel, delegates the task of routine record-keeping to the officer on watch, who is actively overseeing operations in real-time. Similarly, the chief engineer may play a crucial role in the ship's waste management systems, but it is the officer on watch who ensures the records are kept accurately during their period of duty. A deckhand may assist with waste management tasks but is not typically assigned the responsibility to sign off on official records like the garbage record book, which requires the authority of an officer on watch.