Section 1A(17) in The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Oil from Ships) Rules, 2010
(17)"discharge", in relation to harmful substances or effluents containing such substances, means any release, howsoever ,caused, from a ship and includes any escape, disposal, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting or emptying aforesaid substances, but does not include -(i)dumping within the meaning of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter signed in London 011 the 13th November, 1972;(ii)release of harmful substances directly arising from the exploration, exploitation and associated off-shore processing of sea-bed mineral resources; or(iii)release of harmful substances for the purpose of legitimate scientific research into pollution abatement or control and the term "to discharge" shall be constructed accordingly;
