Which of the following is a component of effective discharge containment?

Drip pans are essential components of effective discharge containment because they function as barriers to catch and hold any spills or leaks from tanks or equipment, preventing contaminants from reaching the sea or other environments. Their design allows them to contain various types of liquids, including oil and chemicals, thereby minimizing environmental impact and adhering to safety regulations.

In operations involving tankers, having these containment systems in place is critical to ensure quick response to potential spills, maintaining safety protocols, and protecting marine ecosystems. Additionally, using drip pans supports the overall safety management system on a vessel by facilitating cleaner, more organized handling of cargo.

The other options do not specifically address the immediate need for containment during discharge situations. Fuel metering systems, while important for managing fuel efficiency, do not contain spills; cargo control rooms are primarily for monitoring and managing cargo operations, and ship maintenance logs are crucial for overall vessel upkeep but do not serve a direct function in spill containment.