Final answer:
According to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), garbage disposal at sea is generally prohibited, but some materials may be disposed of at a minimum distance of 12 nautical miles from the coast, depending on latest regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the regulations regarding the disposal of garbage from ships into the ocean. Per international maritime law, specifically the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the distance from the nearest land at which garbage may be thrown overboard is dependent on what type of garbage it is. However, in general, for many types of garbage, including all plastics, disposal at sea is prohibited.
That said, for some specific materials like food scraps, the permitted distance can vary. Often, the minimum distance is 12 nautical miles from the nearest coast. However, to provide a definitive answer to the question, we would need to refer to the most current MARPOL regulations or other relevant maritime laws specific to the type of garbage in question.