OWS in the context of oil record book entries stands for which term?

• A. Oil Water Separator
• B. Offshore Water Surveillance
• C. Onboard Water Sampling
• D. Oily Waste System

Answer: (A)

In the oil record book, the term identifies the device that handles oily wastewater on board. It stands for Oil Water Separator, the equipment that receives bilge or other oily-water streams, separates the oil from the water, and provides a discharge that meets regulatory limits. This is why it appears in the context of oil record book entries: operators record the use of the separator, its performance, and any discharges related to it, ensuring the oil content of the discharged water stays within permitted limits (typically around 15 ppm). Other options don’t fit because they describe different concepts—Offshore Water Surveillance refers to monitoring offshore sites, Onboard Water Sampling is about sampling water on board, and Oily Waste System is a broader term that doesn’t specify the separator device itself.