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Overview
MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 prohibits the discharge of bilge water with an oil content exceeding 15 parts per million from machinery spaces of ships operating outside Special Areas. The rule is not aspirational — it is an absolute discharge standard enforced through flag state surveys, port state control inspections, and Oil Record Book scrutiny, with violations carrying significant financial penalties and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution of responsible officers. A vessel that discharges bilge water without a functioning, type-approved 15 ppm bilge alarm in operation is not just in breach of MARPOL — it is operating without the primary technical safeguard that MARPOL Annex I requires to be in place at the moment of any overboard discharge from the machinery space.
The FOCAS-1800 15ppm Bilge Alarm from Fellow Kogyo is an Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) unit designed for compliance with MARPOL Annex I and type approved to IMO Resolution MEPC.107(49) — the current mandatory performance standard for 15 ppm bilge alarms on vessels of 400 GT and above. The unit monitors oil content in bilge water continuously in real time, triggers an automatic alarm and stops the overboard discharge pump when oil concentration reaches or exceeds 15 ppm, and provides the reliable, accurate measurement performance required by MEPC.107(49) in the bilge water conditions encountered aboard working vessels. Easy installation and straightforward operation make the FOCAS-1800 a practical choice for the engine room environment, where the equipment must perform reliably under the conditions of daily machinery space operation.
What distinguishes the FOCAS-1800 from alternative 15 ppm bilge alarms in the same compliance category is the reputation of Fellow Kogyo as a specialist marine environmental monitoring equipment manufacturer — a company whose products have been specified by vessel operators and accepted by classification societies and flag state administrations across the international fleet for their measurement accuracy and operational reliability in real bilge water conditions, where oil-water mixtures include emulsified oil, detergents, and particulate matter that challenge less capable sensing technologies.
Key Features
MEPC.107(49) Type Approval — Current IMO Compliance Standard
The FOCAS-1800 is type approved to IMO Resolution MEPC.107(49), the performance standard adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee that replaced the earlier MEPC.60(33) standard and established more rigorous requirements for 15 ppm bilge alarm accuracy, response time, and performance across the range of bilge water conditions found on vessels. MEPC.107(49) type approval is the compliance certification required for 15 ppm bilge alarms fitted on vessels of 400 GT and above under MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14. For chief engineers, vessel operators, and procurement officers specifying ODME equipment, MEPC.107(49) approval is the single most important certification to confirm — and the FOCAS-1800 carries it.
Real-Time Oil Content Measurement — Continuous Monitoring During Discharge
The FOCAS-1800 monitors the oil concentration of bilge water continuously during any overboard discharge operation, providing real-time measurement data displayed on the unit’s digital readout. Continuous monitoring — rather than periodic sampling — means the alarm responds immediately to any rise in oil content during discharge, not at the next sample interval. In practice, this is the measurement mode that MARPOL Annex I requires: the alarm must be operating and reading the discharge stream throughout the period of overboard discharge, and the Oil Record Book entry must confirm that the 15 ppm alarm was in operation and did not activate during the discharge.
Automatic Alarm and Pump Stop — Prevents Non-Compliant Discharge
When the FOCAS-1800 detects oil content at or above 15 ppm in the monitored discharge stream, it triggers an automatic alarm and activates the pump stop signal to halt the overboard discharge before non-compliant water exits the vessel. This automatic response is the core operational function of a 15 ppm bilge alarm under MARPOL Annex I — the requirement is not simply that the alarm sounds, but that the discharge is stopped. The automatic pump stop removes the dependence on a crew member being present and reacting to the alarm in the time available, which in a busy engine room during discharge operations may not be guaranteed.
Digital Display — Visible Real-Time ppm Reading
The FOCAS-1800 features a digital numeric display showing the current oil content measurement in parts per million in real time. A clear numeric readout allows the engineer on watch to confirm the ppm level of the discharge stream at any point during operations, to verify that the unit is reading and responding correctly, and to identify any approach toward the 15 ppm threshold before the alarm activates. For Oil Record Book entries, the ability to confirm that readings remained below 15 ppm throughout a discharge operation is directly relevant to the accuracy and defensibility of the ORB record.
Easy Installation and Operation — Engine Room Practical Design
The FOCAS-1800 is designed for straightforward installation in the engine room bilge discharge system and for operation by engine room watch personnel without specialist training beyond the unit’s operating procedures. The installation connections — sample inlet, sample outlet, and electrical connections for alarm and pump stop — follow the standard configuration for 15 ppm bilge alarm installation in a vessel’s bilge discharge system. Simple operation reduces the likelihood of operator error during discharge procedures and supports the consistent, correct use that MARPOL compliance requires every time bilge water is discharged overboard.
Fellow Kogyo — Marine Environmental Monitoring Specialist
Fellow Kogyo is a Japanese manufacturer specialising in marine environmental monitoring equipment, including oil content meters and bilge alarms for MARPOL compliance applications. The FOCAS series bilge alarms have been specified on vessels across the international commercial fleet and accepted by major classification societies and flag state administrations. For chief engineers and technical superintendents specifying ODME equipment, Fellow Kogyo’s established position in the marine environmental monitoring market and the FOCAS series’ track record in commercial service are relevant factors alongside the MEPC.107(49) type approval certification.
Technical Specifications
Model: FOCAS-1800
Manufacturer: Fellow Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Type: 15 ppm Bilge Alarm / Oil Content Meter
Category: ODME — Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment
Type Approval: IMO Resolution MEPC.107(49)
Alarm Threshold: 15 ppm oil content
Display: Digital numeric ppm readout
Alarm Output: Automatic alarm activation at ≥15 ppm
Pump Stop Output: Automatic discharge pump stop at ≥15 ppm
Applicable Regulation: MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 14
Benefits
The primary benefit of the FOCAS-1800 is MARPOL Annex I compliance — specifically, the ability to discharge bilge water overboard in accordance with Regulation 14 with a type-approved, functioning 15 ppm bilge alarm in operation, the discharge pump automatic stop connected, and the readings available for accurate Oil Record Book entry. Without a type-approved bilge alarm in operation, overboard bilge discharge is not permitted under MARPOL Annex I regardless of the actual oil content of the water. The FOCAS-1800 provides the compliance infrastructure that makes legal overboard discharge possible.
Beyond the compliance function, the automatic pump stop protects the vessel from the practical consequences of a non-compliant discharge — flag state investigation, port state control detention, substantial fines, and the reputational damage associated with a MARPOL violation finding. The automatic response means that a momentary increase in oil content from a pump seal leak, a contaminated bilge source, or a system upset does not result in a non-compliant discharge simply because the engineer on watch was occupied elsewhere at the moment the alarm activated.
For technical superintendents and fleet managers, the ease of installation and straightforward operation of the FOCAS-1800 reduces installation labour time, minimises the need for crew training beyond standard operating procedure familiarisation, and simplifies the maintenance and calibration schedule compared to more complex ODME systems. The result is a lower total cost of compliance over the service life of the equipment relative to alternatives with higher installation complexity and maintenance requirements.
Who It’s For
Chief Engineers — MARPOL Compliance Management
A chief engineer on a vessel of 400 GT or above is personally responsible for ensuring that bilge water discharges are carried out in compliance with MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 — and that the Oil Record Book accurately records every discharge operation including confirmation that the 15 ppm bilge alarm was in operation and did not activate. A functioning, type-approved FOCAS-1800 installed in the bilge discharge system is the technical foundation of that compliance. For a chief engineer facing a port state control inspection of the ORB and the ODME equipment, a MEPC.107(49)-approved FOCAS-1800 in the engine room is the correct answer to the inspector’s first question.
Technical Superintendents and Fleet Managers — ODME Procurement and Compliance
Technical superintendents responsible for ensuring MARPOL compliance across a managed fleet need to specify 15 ppm bilge alarms that are type approved to MEPC.107(49), accepted by the relevant classification societies and flag state administrations, available with consistent specification for fleet-wide procurement, and supportable with spare parts and calibration service. The FOCAS-1800, from an established specialist manufacturer with an international service network, meets these procurement criteria. For a superintendent managing compliance across a fleet of cargo vessels, tankers, or workboats, specifying a single approved ODME model across the fleet simplifies crew familiarisation, spare parts inventory, and annual calibration scheduling.
Vessel Owners and Operators — Port State Control Risk Management
Vessel owners and operators are ultimately responsible for the MARPOL compliance status of their vessels, and a port state control deficiency or detention related to ODME non-compliance — a non-functioning bilge alarm, a disconnected pump stop, a missing type approval certificate — carries direct commercial consequences in delays, legal costs, and reputational damage. Fitting a MEPC.107(49)-approved FOCAS-1800 with connected automatic pump stop and maintaining it in accordance with the manufacturer’s service schedule is the baseline risk management measure for this compliance exposure.
Possible Applications
Cargo Ships and Bulk Carriers — Machinery Space Bilge Discharge
Vessels of 400 GT and above engaged in international voyages are required by MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 to fit a 15 ppm bilge alarm type approved to MEPC.107(49) for any overboard discharge of bilge water from machinery spaces. The FOCAS-1800 is the compliance equipment for this requirement on cargo ships and bulk carriers operating on international routes.
Oil Tankers — Machinery Space Bilge (Non-Cargo) Compliance
Oil tankers are subject to more stringent MARPOL Annex I requirements for cargo-related discharges, but the machinery space bilge discharge requirement under Regulation 14 applies to tankers of 400 GT and above on the same basis as other ship types. The FOCAS-1800 addresses the machinery space ODME requirement for tankers, separately from the cargo discharge monitoring systems required under other regulations.
Container Vessels and Ro-Ro Ships
Container ships and ro-ro vessels of 400 GT and above engaged in international trade carry the same MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 requirement for 15 ppm bilge alarm equipment as other vessel types. The FOCAS-1800 provides the type-approved ODME compliance solution for these vessel categories.
Offshore Support Vessels and Platform Supply Vessels
Offshore support vessels and PSVs of 400 GT and above are subject to MARPOL Annex I machinery space bilge discharge requirements. Many offshore operating areas — including the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and Australian offshore zones — have additional regional discharge restrictions more stringent than MARPOL’s baseline requirements. A functioning, type-approved FOCAS-1800 is the foundation of compliance in these areas.
Passenger Ferries and Cruise Vessels
Passenger vessels of 400 GT and above on international voyages carry MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 bilge alarm requirements. For passenger vessel operators subject to intense port state control and environmental scrutiny in sensitive coastal areas, a MEPC.107(49)-approved FOCAS-1800 in correct operation is part of the environmental compliance profile expected of the vessel.
Fishing Vessels — International Voyage MARPOL Compliance
Fishing vessels of 400 GT and above engaged in international voyages are subject to MARPOL Annex I and require 15 ppm bilge alarm equipment. For fishing vessel operators managing compliance with MARPOL and flag state environmental regulations, the FOCAS-1800 provides a straightforward, approved compliance solution.
Naval and Government Vessels — Environmental Compliance
Naval vessels and government maritime craft operating to MARPOL-equivalent environmental standards or fitted with commercial ODME equipment for operational compliance carry 15 ppm bilge alarms to the same performance standard required for commercial vessels. The FOCAS-1800 is an appropriate specification for government vessels requiring MEPC.107(49) type-approved ODME equipment.
Trust & Certifications
IMO Resolution MEPC.107(49) — Mandatory Type Approval Standard
IMO Resolution MEPC.107(49) is the performance standard adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 49th session for oil content meters used as 15 ppm bilge alarms under MARPOL Annex I. The resolution specifies the measurement accuracy, response time, alarm activation threshold, automatic stopping device requirements, and testing conditions that a bilge alarm must meet to be accepted for installation on MARPOL-regulated vessels. Type approval to MEPC.107(49) is the mandatory certification for 15 ppm bilge alarms on vessels of 400 GT and above, required by MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 and verified during flag state surveys and port state control inspections. The FOCAS-1800 carries MEPC.107(49) type approval — the certification that makes it a legal MARPOL compliance instrument.
MARPOL Annex I — International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I establishes the requirements for the prevention of pollution by oil from ships. Regulation 14 specifies the conditions under which bilge water from machinery spaces may be discharged overboard — including the 15 ppm limit, the requirement for a type-approved oil content meter, and the automatic pump stop requirement. Compliance with MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 is enforced by flag state administrations through surveys and certification and by port states through port state control inspections, with non-compliance potentially resulting in vessel detention, financial penalties, and prosecution.
Classification Society Type Acceptance
Major classification societies — including Lloyd’s Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK, and others — maintain lists of type-accepted ODME equipment for installation on classed vessels. Classification society type acceptance confirms that the equipment meets the performance standard required by the applicable IMO resolution and is accepted for installation on vessels classed by that society. Procurement teams specifying ODME equipment for classed vessels should confirm the FOCAS-1800’s type acceptance status with their specific classification society at the time of procurement, as acceptance lists are maintained and updated by each society.
Fellow Kogyo Co., Ltd. — Japanese Marine Environmental Equipment Specialist
Fellow Kogyo is a Japanese manufacturer with specialist expertise in marine oil content measurement and environmental monitoring equipment. The FOCAS series of 15 ppm bilge alarms is an established product line with a track record of acceptance by classification societies and flag state administrations across the international commercial fleet. Fellow Kogyo’s position as a dedicated specialist in this equipment category — rather than a general marine equipment supplier — is relevant to the measurement accuracy and service support that technical superintendents and chief engineers require from their ODME equipment over the service life of the unit.
Accessories & Variants
Calibration Service and Annual Verification
MARPOL Annex I and classification society requirements typically mandate annual calibration verification for 15 ppm bilge alarms. Calibration service by an approved service provider confirms that the FOCAS-1800’s measurement accuracy remains within MEPC.107(49) tolerances and that the alarm and pump stop functions are operating correctly — providing the calibration certificate required for flag state surveys and port state control documentation. Confirm calibration service availability in your trading area and port rotation with your supplier.
Replacement Sensor and Optical Components
The oil content measurement in 15 ppm bilge alarms is typically performed by an optical sensor that can require periodic cleaning and eventual replacement as part of the unit’s maintenance schedule. Stocking critical sensor components for the FOCAS-1800 ensures that the unit can be returned to service after a sensor service without waiting for parts delivery — important for vessels trading on routes where spare parts sourcing may involve significant lead times.
Sample Pump and Strainer
A sample pump and strainer system upstream of the FOCAS-1800 ensures that the bilge water sample reaching the measurement cell is free of large particulate matter that could foul the optical sensor or block the sample flow path — improving measurement reliability and extending the service interval between sensor cleaning cycles. Confirm the appropriate sample conditioning specification for the FOCAS-1800 with your supplier.
Available Variants
FOCAS-1800 — 15 ppm Bilge Alarm | MEPC.107(49) Type Approved | Digital ppm display | Automatic alarm and pump stop | MARPOL Annex I Regulation 14 compliance | Fellow Kogyo manufacture
For ODME systems with additional data logging, Oil Record Book printing, or integration with vessel alarm and monitoring systems for vessels requiring enhanced MARPOL compliance documentation capability, contact the supplier to confirm available Fellow Kogyo model options and compatibility with your vessel’s existing systems.
Related MARPOL Compliance Equipment
Oily Water Separator (OWS) — The primary treatment system that reduces oil content in bilge water to below 15 ppm prior to overboard discharge; the FOCAS-1800 monitors the output of the OWS to confirm compliance before and during discharge
Oil Record Book (Part I) — The mandatory MARPOL Annex I record of all machinery space bilge water and residue operations, which must record each overboard discharge operation including confirmation of 15 ppm bilge alarm operation
Bilge Water Holding Tank Level Indicators — Tank level monitoring equipment for bilge holding tanks used to store bilge water for port reception facility discharge when overboard discharge is not permitted
Get in Touch
If you are procuring 15 ppm bilge alarm equipment for a new vessel, a fleet compliance programme, or a replacement of an existing ODME unit — or if you need to confirm MEPC.107(49) type approval documentation, classification society acceptance status, or calibration service availability for your trading area — contact us to discuss your requirement and request a formal procurement quotation.
Our team can assist with FOCAS-1800 specification confirmation against your vessel type and MARPOL compliance requirements, confirm current stock and lead times, and provide the type approval documentation required for flag state survey and port state control compliance.
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