Question 353Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) Commandant of the Coast Guard. The Commandant of the Coast Guard has the authority to grant exemptions or partial exemptions from compliance with the requirements in the Oil or Hazardous Material Pollution Prevention Regulations. This authority is derived from the federal regulations, specifically 33 CFR 155.120, which states that the Commandant may grant such exemptions or partial exemptions if it is determined that the operation of a vessel will not pose an unreasonable threat of harm to the public health or welfare of the United States. The other options, C) Captain of the Port and D) vessel's Chief Engineer, do not have the authority to grant these types of exemptions. The Captain of the Port oversees the enforcement of the regulations in a specific geographic area, but does not have the authority to grant exemptions. The vessel's Chief Engineer is responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of the vessel's equipment, but does not have the authority to grant regulatory exemptions.