(Regs 3.1 (b) (i), 4.1 and 5.2 (a) (ii) of Annex V of MARPOL)
(1) Division 1 does not apply to the disposal of dunnage, lining or packing materials that will float, from a ship into State waters if:(a) the disposal occurs when the ship is not within a special area, and(b) the disposal occurs when the ship is as far as practicable from, and is not less than 25 nautical miles from, the nearest land, and(c) the disposal occurs when the ship is not alongside, or within 500 metres of, a fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation and associated off-shore processing of seabed mineral resources.
(2) This section does not apply to plastics.