MARPOL ( Oil ) / SOPEP

Discharge of Oil from Machinery space (bilge and sludge) :

→ Ship must be en route

→ Oily mixture must have been processed through the oil filtering equipment

→ Oil content of the mixture does not exceed 15 parts per million (ppm)

→ Oily mixture is not mixed with cargo residues.

Discharge of Oil from Cargo space in Oil Tankers :

→ The tanker is not within a special area.

→ Ship must be en route

→ Must be more than 50nm from nearest land (also defined)

→ 30 litres per nautical mile

→ Discharged through the Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME)

→ Maximum discharge quantity on a ballast voyage should not exceed 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part

Precautions and procedures when taking Bunkers aboard vessel :

→ Prior to Bunkering it would be normal practice to establish the quantity of bunkers being taken and to identify the respective tank(s) where they are intended to be placed. Once established, the new stability condition and changes to the drafts would be calculated by use of the loadicator.

→ Checks and precautions would be carried out as per the Company checklist and would include the following points:

→ Seal the upper-most deck and ensure all scuppers are blocked off.

→ Rig a pressurized hose over-side and have extinguishers available at the manifold. Observe all standard fire precautions.

→ Establish a three-way communication link between the pumping station, the manifold and the tank sounding monitor.

→ Ensure a second means of access is available to and from the deck.

→ Display the ‘Bravo’ flag by day or a ‘Red Light’ at night.

→ Display additional no smoking signs especially at the gangway and at the entrances to the manifold deck.

→ Place drip trays at any manifolds or pipe connections not provided for.

→ Advise the Master, and the Port Authority of the operation.

→ Comply with all aspects of SOPEP (Ships Oil Pollution Emergency Plan).

→ Start pumping operation slowly and ensure no back pressure build up.

→ Ensure an adequate number of personnel are available on deck, especially when topping off.

→ Make relevant entries into the log book.

→ Cause an entry to be made into the oil record book on completion.

SOPEP :

→ Every oil Tanker 150 GT and above. Other ship 400 GT and above.

Contents of SOPEP :

→ Procedures to report an Oil pollution incident.

→ List of authorities or persons to be contacted in case of Oil pollution.

→ Action to be taken immediately to reduce or control the discharge of Oil.

→ The procedures to co-ordinate with national and local authorities in combating the pollution.

→ List and quantity and location of equipment on board to contain the pollution.