Oil Discharge Placard MUST be "
at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces, or at the bilge pump control station"
The "MARPOL" Placard (Marine Pollution) MUST be at least 4" by 9" and posted in a "
prominent location notifying crew and passengers of the discharge restrictions". There is currently some discussion over changes to the MARPOL Placard specs, but it appears that the basic size will stay the same.
The Oil Placard is normally in the engine compartment (or at the bilge pump switch) and the MARPOL Placard is normally In the Galley or Head compartment (I often suggest applying the self-adhesive type to the waste basket if the boat has one, or sometimes in the cockpit) We used to look for it "where anyone coming aboard would see it".
I've never seen a combined Placard that is sized to meet the requirements, but I'm sure that combined versions have been made. I would think though, that a combined placard would need to be about 9" x 9" and the 2 separate placards would be easier to find room for. If the 2 parts of the combined placard each meet the size and wording requirements, they "MAY" be still OK (but I'll have to check on that and get back to you), but I would suggest contacting the Vessel Examiner that checked your boat and ask if she has any of the FREE stick-on MARPOL and OIL Placards (2 separate stickers) that are available from the AUX National Supply Center. That way you will be prepared if ever boarded and the USCG Boarding Officer doesn't accept the combined placard. Those stick-on placards definitely meet the sizing and wording requirements.
There is also a Q&A section of the AUX VSC web-site (
www.safetyseal.net) where you could post this question to the "experts".
