carry out refuelling and fuel transfer operations

12/30/2014 CarryoutRefuellingandFuelTransferOperations

http://www.splashmaritime.com.au/Marops/data/text/Engtex/Refueltex.htm#_The_Fuel_Tank 1/25

REFUELLING&TRANSFEROPERATIONS

(MaterialcourtesyofA.N.T.A.publications,editedhtmlextractsRangerHope2008,)

FuelStorageArrangements

SafeRefuelling

Spillage

ChangingtheFuelSupplySource

FuelFiltersandBleedingtheSystem

DrainingAFuelTank

MeasuringLevels

MicrobialInfection

PreparingaFuelTankforInspection

TheFuelTank

SimplifiedStabilityData

MarinePollution

Fireandexplosionprevention

FuelStorageArrangementsFuelstoragearrangementsarelargelydependentonthevesselsintendedserviceandlocationofrefuellingstationswithinthevesselsareaofoperation.

Fueltanksshouldbelocatedsoastominimisethepossibilityoffuelcomingintocontactwithahotsurfaceorelectricalequipment,resultingfromoverflow,leakageorrupture.



TwinTanks

Twin,ormore,tankinstallationsareverycommononboardcommercialvessels.Thisallowsforgreaterweightdistributionthroughoutthevesselaswellastheotheradvantageofkeepingfuelisolatedshouldcontaminationoccur.

Multipletankscanhaveacrossovervalvefittedtoeitherthefuelsupplyorreturnlinesenabling



No.

Component Description

1 Fueltank Areservoirforholdingdieselfuelinstorage.Tanksshouldhavealowspotinwhichsedimentsandcontaminantssettleandcanberemoved.

Largetanksrequirebafflestobeinstalledinternally.Allopeningsshouldbeatthetopofthetankonly.

2 Baffles Theseareinternaldividersbuiltintothetanktocontainmovementofthefuelinroughconditions.

3 Fuelfillline Linethroughwhichfuelispumpedintothetank.

Thelineshouldcontinuetowithincentimetresofthebottomofthetanktoreduceanyfoamingeffectasfuelisdelivered.Thegapbetweentheendofthelineandthefueltankbottomshouldbelargeenoughtoallowfueltobedeliveredunrestricted.

Filllinesvaryindiameterdependinguponthetanksize.

4 Shutoffvalve Positionedbetweenthedeckandthetank.Canbeclosedtosealoffthetank.Tanksalsorequirearemoteshutoffvalvewhichcanbeoperatedfromaremotelocation.

5 Groundingcable

Providesanearthtodischargethestaticelectricitywhichmayoccurduringrefuelling.

6 Deckfill Themouthofthefuelfilllinewhichisfastenedtothedeck.

theenginestoberunfromeithertankorintheeventofcontamination,toisolateanoffendingtank.Caremustbetakenifredirectingafuelreturnlinetoonetankonlyasthiseffectivefueltransfercanberapidandmayaffectthevesselsstabilityorevenoverflowthetank.Somevesselsmayhavetwodaytanks,thusthefuelreturnfromtheenginesinjectorsshouldbechangedoverwhenthedeliveryischanged.Similarly,itiswisetoclosecrossoverfuelsupplylineswhenrefuellingfromahighpressurefuelpump.Thethrustoffuelenteringtheporttankfillerpipemaydepressthefuelinthetankandevenforcefueluptooverflowthestarboardtank.Thereversewilloccurwhenthefillingstopsasfuelfromthestarboardtankcansurgebacktospilloutfromtheportfillerpipe.

SpecificationsforinstallationsoffueltanksareincludedintheNSCVPartCSection5Subsection5.

SafeRefuellingTheUSLCoderequiresallfuelfillingstationstobefittedoutsideofthemachineryspacesandarrangedsothatanyoverflowcannotcomeintocontactwithanyhotsurface.Fuelisnormallysuppliedtosmallvesselsfromroadtanker/soranapprovedfacilityatamarinaordock.Theamountoffuelrequiredcanbemeasuredbythefuelmeterinthesupplydischargelineandspillageshouldnotoccur,providingcareisexercised.



7 Vent Theventallowsairandfumestoescapefromthetank.Theendoftheventhoseshouldbesethighonthevesselandkeptwellawayfromtheengines,thecabinspaceandanysourceofheat.Theventpipeshouldincludeagaugeflowarrester.

8 Sumppump Usedtocleanforeignmaterials,contaminantsandthelastfueldregsfromthesumpinthefueltank.

9 Fuelsupplyline Thesizeofthefuelsupplylinewillvarydependinguponthesizeoftheenginesusedandthevolumeoffuelrequired.

Thefuelsupplyshouldbenearthelowestpartofthetank,buthighenoughtoavoidsuckingforeignmatterandcontaminantsfromthesump.

Thislinecontinuestotheengineviathefuelliftpump,fuelfilter,injectionpumpandinjectors.

10 Fuelreturnline Dieselengineshavefuelreturnlineswhichdeliverexcessfuelbacktothetank.

RefuellingProcedures

Whenrefuelling,thesebasicproceduresshouldbefollowedasaminimum:

Bringthevesselalongsideoftherefuellingfacilityandsecurethevessel.Ensurethatthedistancebetweenthefuelfacilityandthedockfillingpointistheshortestpossible.Priortofilling,ensurethatallengineshavebeenturnedoffandtherearenosignsofleaksfromthetanksorfuellines.Placenosmokingsignsontheshipandonthewharfinthevicinityoftheshipandfuelfacility.Havefireextinguishers(suitableforoilfires)availablenearthefillingstation.Supplyacontainertocatchspillagewhenthefuelsupplylineisdisconnected.

Takecaretocontainanyfuelspillagefromenteringthewater.Avoidanybuildupofstaticelectricityduringtherefuellingprocess.Constantlymonitorthefuellevelinthetank/stoensuretheyarenotoverfilled.Ensurethevesselremainsstablethroughouttherefuellingprocess.Ensurethereisnobuildupoffumessurroundingtanks,andthatfreshairisventilatingtherefuellingarea.Whendisconnectingthefuelsupplyline,emptyresidualfromthelineintothetank.Sealfueltanksimmediatelyafterthefuellinehasbeendisconnected.Allowadequatetimeforanyfumestobedispersedbeforestartingtheengine.

MoreRefuelling

Takeportabletanksoutofthevesselforfilling.

(Donotcarrysparefuelinplasticcontainers.Theycanrupturewithoutbeingnoticed.)

HoistflagBforrefuellinginternaltanks.Keepwatch.



Nosmoking,Nofiresandnomotorsrunning.Disconnectthebattery,Turnoffgas.Haveasuitablefireextinguisheravailablenearthefillingstation.Checkforleaks,Blockoffdeckscuppersandfreeingportstocontainanyspillondeck.Cleanupanyspillimmediately.Securevesselproperlyalongside.Keepthefuelnozzleincontactwiththefillerpipetopreventstaticelectricitybuildup.Makesurethefuelgoesintothecorrecttank.Constantlymonitorthetankbeingfilled.Fillslowlytowardstheend.Considerstabilitywhenfillingsidetanks.

Ondisconnectionoffuelline,catchanyspillageinacontainer.Keepthevesselwellventilated,andcloseupenclosedspaces.Ventilateforsometimebeforestartingengine.

StaticElectricityAFireHazardDuringRefuelling

Staticistheelectricityproducedondissimilarmaterialsthroughphysicalcontactandseparation.Asparkgeneratedbyitcanigniteflammablevapour.

Astaticelectricalchargecanbuildupduringrefuellingwhenthefuelmovesthroughapipe.Thefuelmaybecomenegativelychargedandthepipepositive.Thenegativelychargedfuel,inturn,causesthetanktobecomepositivelycharged.Theriskofignitionthuscontinues.

Theriskalsoexistswhensounding,samplingorwashingafueltank.Thepositively

chargedsoundingtapeorthesamplingcontainerstrikesagainstthenegativelychargedveryfineparticlesoffuelinthetank.Apositivelychargedwaternozzlemayreactwiththenegativelychargedoilyresidueduringthewashingoperation.

Tosafeguardagainstbuildupofstaticelectricitychargeduringrefuelling,therefuellingsystemmustbebondedandgrounded.Itisthensaidtobeelectricallyconnected.Thefillerattachmentisconnectedtothetankeitherbyadirectmetaltometalconnectionorbymeansofacopperwire(groundcable)ofsuitablesize.Thefillerpipemustextendintothebottomofthetank,andthetankshouldbeconnectedtothevesselsbondingsystem.

Foamfirefightinghosesarerubberlinedtoeliminatetheriskofstaticresultingfromfrictionwithfoam.

IfSpillageOccursFuelspillsareamajorcauseofmarinepollutionandmustbeavoidedwhereverpossiblethroughplanningandcarefuloperation.Ifafuelspilloccurs,youshouldfollowthesebasicsteps:

DieselFuelSpilledAboardVessel

Allstepsshouldbetakentocontainspiltfuelonboardandawayfromanysourceofheat.

Thevesselsmastershouldimmediatelybemadeawareofthefuelspill.Undernormalcircumstancesthefuelwillmovetothebilge,butshouldnotbepumpedtosea.



If there is a fuel leak, try to stop any further discharge bywhatevermeans possible. Seekguidancefromthevesselsmasterorassistance,asrequired.

PetrolAndLPGLeaksAboardVessel

Thesurveyrequirement forsuch installations is tominimiseany leaksthatcouldoccur in theenginecompartment.

Shouldaleakoccur,shutdownallmachineryandelectricalsystems.Shutoffthesupplyoffuel.PetrolvapoursandLPGshouldbeclearedinamannerthatwillnotcausesparking.Repairtheleak.

FuelSpilledOverboard

Takeactiontostopanyfurtherfuelfromenteringthewater.

Firefightingequipmentshouldbereadilyavailable.Ensurefireextinguishersaresuitableforuseonfuelfires.InformtherelevantPortAuthorityandcarryouttheirinstructions.Advisevesselstiedupormoorednearbyofthespillage(pendingthearrivalofthePortAuthority).Cleanuponboardthevessel.Donotattempttocleanthewaterbyusingdetergentsorsimilarproducts,unlessadvisedbythePortAuthority.Ifthevesselisatseawhenthespilloccurs,reportthemattertothenearestportauthorityorthestatepollutionauthority.

Ifsafe,thebilgeshouldnotbedischargeduntilthevesselreturnstoashorebasedwastefacility.

Ifthefuelspillislarge,fullsafetyprecautionsshouldbeexercised.Postnosmokingsigns(ifavailable)orwarnpeopleinthevicinitynottosmoke.

ChangingTheFuelSupplySourceLargervesselsoftenhavemorethanonefueltankandduringanyvoyage,youmayberequiredtochangethefuelsupplyfromonetanktoanother.

Whenchangingfromonefueltanktoanother,youneedtoavoidstarvingtheengine/soffueliftheyarerunning.

Thesupplyvalveonthetankabouttobeusedshouldbeopenedfirst.

Thesupplyvalveonthetankcomingofflineshouldthenbeclosed.

Iftheengine/shavespillreturnsfromthefuelinjectionsystemtothetank,theseshouldalsobechangedoversothatthespilllinedischargestothetankinuse.

IfTheTankHasRunOutOfFuel



Ifthetankhasrunoutoffuelandtheenginehasstoppedattheminimumitwillbenecessaryto:

shutofftheemptytankandopenthesupplyvalveonanotherfueltankbleedallventsonthesupplylinetotheengineuntilfuelflows

Enginemakersusuallyspecifyafixedsequenceforbleedingtheengineandthesequenceshouldbefollowed.

Ingeneralthiswillinvolve:

ventingfiltersopeningventorbleedscrewsonthefuelpump

operatingtheprimingleveruntilbubblefreefuelbeginstoflow.

Onsomeenginesthehydraulicgovernormayneedpriming.Whenthewholesystemhasbeenprimedtheenginecanberestarted.

ChangingFuelFiltersAndBleedingAirFromTheSystemFuelfiltersareacriticalpartofthefuelsystem.Theyremovedirt,waterandotherforeignmatterfromthefuelsupply,whichcouldotherwisecauseconsiderabledamageandexpense.

FuelFilter(Courtesy:Caterpillar)

Asthequalityoffuelcanneverbeguaranteed,itisnecessarytochangethefuelfiltersaspartofthevesselsmaintenanceprogram.Thiswillensurethatthefuelsupplyremainsuncontaminated.

Followthiscommonproceduretochangeasingleinlinefilterandbleedairfromthesystem:

Closethenearestvalveseithersideofthefilter.



Openbothventanddrainvalves(ifprovided)anddrainfilter.Provideacontainertocatchanyspillage.Removefiltercoverorbodyasappropriate.

RemovingSpinOnFuelFilter(Courtesy:Caterpillar)

Cleanfilterbodyandfilterorrenewfilter(iftherenewabletype).

Reassemblefilter.Shutdrain.Openvalveseithersideoffilter.Closeoffventwhenfuelappears.

Note:Itmaybenecessarytoprimeotherequipmentdownstreamofthefilter(suchasfuelpumpsontheengine).

Thequickestandmostreliablewaytobleedairoutofthesystemistofillthefilterandcasingwithfueloilpriortoboltingorscrewingthefiltercoverdown.

Giventhemanydifferenttypesoffilters(bothsingleandduplex),suchamethodisnotalwayspossible.

PrimingtheFuelSystemonaCaterpillarEngine



DrainingaFuelTankThereareoccasionswhenyouwillberequiredtodrainthecontentsofafueltank.Oftenthiswillbeapartofamaintenanceforyourvessel,oritmaybenecessarytoremovecontaminatedfuelfromthetank.

Todrainafueltank,transferthecontentsbypumpingthefueltoanothertankortanks.

First,ensurethesecondtankcontainssufficientspacetotakethecontentsofthetankwhichisbeingdrained.

Whenyouhavecompletedthefueltransfer,theremainingfuelfromthefirsttankcanbedrainedintoacontainer.Usethevalvenormallyusedfordrainingwaterfromthetank.

Anytimeyouhandlefuel,ensurethattherearefireextinguishersreadilyavailableandaresuitableforuseonfuelfires.

MeasuringFuelTankContentLevelsItisimportanttoalwaysknowtheamountoffuelavailableonyourvessel,particularlywhentravellingatsea.

Theleveloffuelinthevesselsfueltankscanbedeterminedbyvariousmethods:

bysoundingrodortape.Thismaygiveadepthmeasuredfromthebottomofthetanktothesurfaceofthefuel,ormeasurementfromareferencepointatorabovethetopofthetanktothesurfaceofthefuel.

Therodortapewillshowalinearmeasurementwhichwillassistyouincalculatingthevolumeinthefueltank,oritmayhavealreadybeenmarkedtoequatethephysicalleveloffuelinthetanktoavolume.Forexample,iftheleveloffuelinthetankreacheshalfwayuptherod,thismayequatetoareadingof50litresofavailablefuelina100litrecapacitytank.

bygaugeglass,usuallywithascalealongsideindicatingtheheightabovetheinnerbottomofthetank.bymercurybalancegaugeinwhichpressurisedairisbalancedagainstacolumnofmercury.adirectreadingdialgauge,whichmaybeelectricalordiaphragmoperated.



Fueltankandsoundingrod

MicrobialInfectionMicrobialinfectionisacommonproblemindieselfuels,andismorecommoninvesselswhicharenotusedregularlyorwherethefuelisnotrenewedfrequently.Inthiscase,extracareshouldbetakentocheckforinfectioneachtimethevesseliscommissioned.

Microbescanonlypropagateinthepresenceofwater,whichmayaccumulateinthefueltank/sandfeedonthefuelattheinterfacebetweenthewaterandoil.Infectioncanoccurduetotakinginfectedfuelonboard,andtheproblemisaggravatedbyfailingtoregularlydrainanywaterfromthefueltank/s.

Locationofmicrobesinafueltank

Onboardavessel,microbesarefirstdetectedinthefuelfilterswhichwillhaveatendencytoclogupmorefrequently.Thewastemicrobesgenerateisdepositedasablackslimysludgeandcanblockthefuelsystem.Testsarealsocommerciallyavailabletoidentifythepresenceofmicrobes.

Insomecasestheslimegetspastthefiltersandcausesthefuelpumpplungersortheinjectornozzlevalvestomalfunctionduetoeitherrustingorpartialblockage.



Ifavesselisnottobeusedforanextendedperiod,thetanksshouldbefilledtorestrictanypossiblecondensation.Thefueltankventshouldbesealed.Ensurearemindernoticeisplacedatthedrivercontrolstounsealtheventatalaterdate.

Commerciallyavailablefuelconditionerscanbeaddedtoavesselsfueltanksthatinadditiontodeterringmicrobegrowthalsoimprovecombustion,reducecorrosionandthealleviatetheproblemsofcondensationwithinthefuel.

PreparingaFuelTankforInspectionTheUSLCodedoesnotrequiretheinternalsurveyoffueltanksuntilthevesselis10yearsold.

However,giventhepossibilityofmicrobialinfection,internalinspectionoffueltanksshouldformpartoftheregularmaintenanceprogram.

InspectionProcedure

Whenpreparingtoinspectafueltank,thefollowingbasicprocedureshouldbefollowed:

1.Postnosmokingnoticespriortoopeningupdoorsgivingaccesstothespacecontainingthefueltank/s.

2.Pumpoutordrainthetanktoanotherfueltank.

3.Openthewater/testdraintoensurethetankisempty(drainresidueintoacontainer).

4.Shutallvalvesandcocksonthetank.

5.Removethemanholeorinspectiondoor.

6.Ventilatethetank.Theperiodwilldependonthesizeofthetankandmethodofventilation.

7.Obtainagasfreecertificatefromarecognisedauthorityifintendingtoenterthetank.

Thisproceduremaydifferdependingonthetypeofvesselyouareon,andyoushouldconfirmthiswithyourfacilitator.

TheFuelTankOnboard,fuelstorageislargelydependentontheintendedserviceofthevesselandlocationofrefuellingstationswithintheareaofoperationofthevessel.



Typicalarrangementsare:

1.ShortDistance

Portandstarboardtankswithinthemachineryspace,whichmaybefreestandingorformpartofthehullstructure.Inaddition,asmallertankisusedfordirectsupplytothemainandgeneratorengines.Fuelfromthelargertanksistransferredtothesmallertankasrequired.

2.MediumDistance

Eitherabunkerordeeptanks,dividedintoportorstarboardandpositionedforwardofthemachineryspace.Thetanksshouldbecapableofsupplyingfueltothemainengineandgeneratorengineeachwithindependentfuellines.Inthecaseofdualtanks,theseshouldbeusedalternatively.

3.LongDistance

Fuelstoragearrangementsforlongdistanceworkarethesameasformediumdistance,butwiththeadditionofadoublebottomfueltank.



Samplelocationoffueltanks(shadedingrey)

(PlanscourtesyofA.RaptisandSonsPtyLimit

SimplifiedStabilityDataMuchoftheinformationdiscussedherecanbefoundintheSimplifiedStabilityInformationBookletthatmaybeprovidedonyourvessel.

StabilityBooklet

Thebookletissetoutinanapprovedformatandcontainsthefollowinginformation.

1.Thevesselsname,officialnumber,portofregistry,grossandnettonnages,dimensions,operatingdisplacement,deadweightanddraught.

2.Aprofileviewofthevesselshowingandnamingallcompartments,includingtanks.

3.Thecapacityandthecentreofgravity,verticalandlongitudinal,ofallspacesusedtocarryfish,water,fuel,storesetc.

4.Tankcalibrationsforeverytankholding2tonnesorover,plusthefreesurfaceeffectofeverytank.

5.Informationaboutthefollowinghydrostaticparticulars.

(a)Displacementinsaltandfreshwater.

(b)KM

(c)TPC

(d)LCB

(e)LCG

(f)Triminformation

Thesevaluesarerecordedforvariousdraughts.

6.SampleloadingconditionssuchasLightship,Loadeddeparturefromport,worstoperatingcondition,etc.

7.Guidancenotesandwarningsdealingwithsuchthingsasrecommendeddistributionsforfuel,water,cargoetc.,recommendedoperatingproceduresandwarningsaboutdangerouspractices.

Thepurposeofthisinformationistoletthemasterofthevesselknowunderwhatconditionsthevesselwillhavesufficientstability.Ifyouoperateavesselsothatitsconditionisbetterthantheworstconditionthatisstillsafe,thenyouwillknowthatyourvesselhassufficientstabilityfornormalconditions.



SafePractices

ThefollowingrulesforsaferstabilityaretakenfromMVTwosuchsimplifiedstabilitybooklet.

Thesheetswhichfollowaregeneralcommentstoenlargeongoodseamanshipandhousekeepingandissuedonlytoenabletheoperatorstousethestabilitydatatobestadvantage.

TankUsageandSlackTanks

(1)Tankswhicharenotinuse,mustatalltimesbefullandpressedup,oremptywherepossible.Rememberthatslacktankscreatefreesurfaceandtheeffectofslacktanksresultsinactualandoftenlargereductionsofstability.

Freesurfaceeffectisexplainedin11.2.3.

(2)Whenmanipulatingtankcontentsbypumpingfromonetanktoanother,makeeveryefforttomaintainleveltrim.Developasystemoftankusagewhichkeepsthetrimofthevesselfrombecomingexcessive.Rememberthatthecalculationsforstabilityareaccurateonlywithinasmallrangeoftrim.

(3)Transferenceoffuelorfreshwaterandtheballastingoftanksshouldonlybecarriedoutinfavourableweatherconditions.

(4)Thereisinthisbookarecommendedsequencefortheuseofliquidsintanks,departurefromwhichmaybedangerous.Theserecommendationsshouldbefollowedunlesstherearespecificreasonsatthetimefornotdoingso.

(5)Occasionally,conditionsofloadingandtankmanipulationscanleadtotrimbythebow.Thiscanbeavoidedbycoordinatingtheoperationsinotherwords,theeffectsofloadingcanbeoffsetbycorrectlymanipulatingthecontentsofthetanks.

(6)Excessivetrimbythebowcanleadtodifficultiesinhandlingthevesselandmayresultinpoorseakeeping.

FreeSurfaceEffect

Allliquidsinpartiallyfilledtankshaveafreesurface,whichisfreetoslopbackwardsandforwardwiththemotionoftheship.Thisfreesurfaceeffectcancauseaseriousstabilityproblemifthemovementoftheliquidisnotcontained.Youmightliketoconductasimple,practicalexperimenttodemonstrateF.S.E.foryourself:

(a)Takeaflattraywithraisedsidesandpartiallyfillitwithwater.(Aflatbakingpanwillwork.)

(b)Nowholditlevel,supportedbythepalmsofyourhands,heldhorizontalatarmslengthandatshoulderheight.

(c)Nowgentlyraiseyourrighthandafewcentimetres.

Asthewaterrunstotheleftofthetray/panyouwillfeelamarkedincreaseinweight,tendingtopushyourlefthanddownfurtherandsoaggravatethecondition.



ThisisFreeSurfaceEffect(F.S.E.).Ashipreactsinthesameway.Itfirstrollsslightlytoasmallangleofheelasaresultofthewaveforces.Theinternalforcesoftheshiftingwaterinslacktanksthenincreasethelistfurtherastheliquidflowstothelowside.IfthisF.S.E.causesthevesseltolistsothatitsdeckedgeisimmersedbelowthewaterline,itcouldwellcapsize.Thefigurebelowshowsavesselwithapartiallyfilledtank.FreesurfaceeffectreducesthesizeofGM.ThereforethesizeofGZisreduced,andconsequentlytheabilityofthevesseltoreturntotheuprightpositionisreduced.

Freesurfaceeffectisatamaximumintankswhichextendrightacrossthebreadthofthevessel.Bypartitioningthetanklongitudinally,theflowofliquidstothelowsidewhentheshipisheeledcanberestricted.Itisnotremovedcompletely,buttheF.S.E.canbereducedtoacceptablelimits.Obviously,correctloadingandballastingoftheshipisalsoimportant,butthisisanoperationalconsiderationandnotadesignone.Practicallyalltanks,withtheexceptionoftheforepeakballasttank,arelongitudinallysubdividedforthisreason.

Tanksubdivisioniseffectedbyacontinuouswatertightdividerextendinginaforeandaftdirectiontoeachendofthetankandverticallyfromtheinnerbottomofthetanktotheundersideofthetanktop.

Forepeaktanksareusuallynarrowanddonotpresentaverylargefreesurfaceproblem.Forthisreason,itisunusualtofindanylongitudinalsubdivisioninthem.

Wheretanksarenotlongitudinallydividedbyawatertightdivider,thereareusuallylongitudinalwashbulkheadswhichactasbaffleplates.Whilethesedonotstopthesidewaysmotionoffluidsinthetank,theyaredesignedtoretardtheflowsothattheheelingforcecreatedbythefreesurfaceeffectisoutofphasewiththerollingofthevessel.Thistendstodampthevessel'srollinginsteadofaggravatingit,whichcanbequitebeneficial.

Thedepthorqualityoftheliquidinthetankdoesnotaffectthefreesurfacetoanygreatdegree.Freesurfaceareaisthemainfactor.Onlyacompletelyemptyorcompletelyfulltankwillhavezerofreesurface.

Remember:Thenumberofslacktanksatanyonetimeshouldbekepttoaminimum.TorestricttheamountofFreeSurface,itmaybenecessarytotransferliquidsbetweentanks,bearinginmindthetrimrequiredandtheweatherconditionsatthetime.



MarinePollutionTheenormousgrowthinthemaritimetransportofoilandthesizeoftankers,theincreasingamountofchemicalsbeingcarriedbyseaandagrowingconcernfortheworldsenvironmentasawholemademanyfeelthatthe1954OILPOLConventionwasnolongeradequate,despitethevariousamendmentswhichhadbeenadopted.In1969theIMOAssembly(againpromptedpartlybytheTORREYCANYONincidenttwoyearspreviously)decidedtoarrangeaninternationalconferencetoconsideracompletelynewconvention.TheConferencedulymetinLondonin1973.

TheConventionwhichresultedtheInternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips(MARPOL)isthemostambitiousinternationaltreatycoveringmaritimepollutioneveradopted.Itdealsnotonlywithoilbutwithallformsofmarinepollutionfromshipsexceptthedisposaloflandgeneratedwasteintotheseabydumping(whichwascoveredbyanotherConventionadoptedthepreviousyear).

Australiaisapartytothe1973/78InternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips(MARPOL73/78)aswellasthe1972ConventiononthepreventionofMarinePollutionbydumpingofWastesandotherMatter.Australianmaritimepollutionlawsapplytovesselsofallnationswithin200nauticalmilesoffshore.

Asaresult,wehavetwomajorActsofParliamentinthiscountryregardingpollutionfromships:

1TheProtectionoftheSea(PreventionofPollutionfromShips)Act1983.

2TheEnvironmentalProtection(SeaDumping)Act1981.

InNewSouthWalesandotherStates,thereisaparallellegislation(e.g.,NSWMarineAct1987).

UndertheInternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips1973/78(knownasMARPOL),alloftheaboveapplies.InAustralia,thisconventionisenactedintheProtectionoftheSea(Preventionofpollutionfromships)Act1983andtheNavigationAct1912.

TheMARPOLConventionincludes6technicalAnnexes.AnnexesIandII,dealingwithoilandbulknoxiousliquidsubstancesrespectively,aremandatory,inthesensethatratificationoftheConventionisimpossiblewithoutratificationoftheseAnnexes.AnnexesIII,IV,VandVI,dealingrespectivelywithharmfulsubstancesinpackagedforms,sewage,garbageandairpollutionareoptional.TheConventionalsohastwoProtocols,dealingrespectivelywithreportsofincidentsinvolvingharmfulsubstancesandarbitration.

Entryintoforceisasfollows:

MARPOL73/782October1983(international)14January1988(Australia)

AnnexI2October1983(international)14January1988(Australia)

AnnexII6April1987(international)14January1988(Australia)

AnnexIII1July1992(international)10January1995(Australia)



AnnexIV27September2003(international)expected2004(Australia)

AnnexV31December1988(international)14November1990(Australia)

AnnexVINotyetinforce(expected2004)

TheAnnexescanbesummarisedasfollows:

AnnexIOiloilmixtures,distillates,gasoline,jetfuels,etc.

AnnexIINoxiousliquidsubstancesmainlychemicalsincludingacids,alcohols,castor

oil,hydrogenperoxide,pentane,etc.Alsocitricjuice,glycerine,milk,molasses,wine,etc.

AnnexIIIHarmfulsubstancesinpackagedformincludesfreightcontainers,portable

tanks,roadandrailtankwagons,etc.

AnnexIV Sewage wastes fromtoilets,drainage frommedicalpremises,drainage from

spacescontainingliveanimals,etc.

AnnexVGarbageplasticbags,syntheticropes,foodwastes,paperproducts,

glass,metal,crockery,packagingmaterial,syntheticfishingnets,etc.

AnnexVIAirPollution

12.1AnnexIOil

Exceptwhereotherwisestated,theseregulationsapplytoalltankersof50grosstons(about30metresinlength)andaboveandothershipsof400grosstons(about40metres)andabove.

Acompletebanonoperationaldischargesofoilfromshipsexceptunderthefollowingconditions:

Forallships,

1Therateatwhichoilmaybedischargedmustnotexceed60litrespermiletravelledbytheship

2Theoilcontentofanybilgewaterdischargedmustbebelow100partspermillion

3Shipmustbemorethan12milesfromnearestlandand

4Shipmusthaveinoperationanapprovedoildischargemonitoringandcontrolsystem,oilywaterseparatingequipmentoroilfilteringequipment.

Fortankers,



1Nodischargeofanyoilwhatsoevermustbemadefromthecargospacesofatankerwithin50milesofthenearestland

2Thetotalquantityofoilwhichanewtankermaydischargeinanyballastvoyagemustnotexceed1/30,000ofthetotalcargocarryingcapacityofthevessel.Forexistingtankersthelimitis1/15,000ofthecargocapacity.

Thedefinitionofoilincludespetroleuminanyformincludingcrudeoil,fueloil,sludge,oilrefuseandrefinedproducts(otherthanpetrochemicals).

Nearestlandisdefinedasthebaselineusedtoestablishtheterritorialsea.However,theConventionmakesaspecialcasefortheGreatBarrierReefwherenearestlandmeansalineshownbetweenaseriesofcoordinatesontheouteredgeofthereef.Alldistancesrelatingtodischargeprohibitionsaremeasuredfromtheselines.

Thedischargeofoiliscompletelyforbiddenincertainspecialareaswherethethreattothemarineenvironmentisespeciallygreat.TheseincludetheMediterraneanSea,theBlackSea,theBalticSeaandsomeareasintheMiddleEast.

PartiestotheConventionareobligedtoprovideadequatefacilitiesforthereceptionofresiduesandoilymixturesatoilloadingterminals,repairports,etc.

Oiltankersmusthavetheequipmentnecessarytooperatetheloadontopsystemortoretainoilyresiduesonboarduntiltheycanbedischargedintoshorereceptionfacilities.Thisequipmentincludessloptanks,oilywaterseparatingequipmentorfilteringsystems,oilcontentmeters,oildischargemonitoringandcontrolsystems,sludgetanksandsuitablepumpingandpipingarrangements.

Allshipsof400grosstonnageandaboveincludingnontankersmustbeequippedwithoilywaterseparatingequipmentorafilteringsystemforthedischargeofmachineryspacebilges.

Everyoiltankerof150tonsgrosstonnageandabove,andeveryothershipof400tonsgrosstonnageandabovewillbesubjecttothesurveyspecifiedbelow:

(a)aninitialsurveybeforetheshipisputinservice,orbeforetheCertificateisissuedforthefirsttime,toensurethatthestructure,equipment,systems,fittings,arrangements,andmaterialfullycomplywiththerequirementsoftheAnnex

(b)aperiodsurveyatintervalsoffiveyearsbeforethereissueoftheCertificate,forthesamereasonsstatedin(a)

(c)oneintermediatesurveyheldnotbeforesixmonthspriorto,norlaterthansixmonthsafterthehalfwaydateoftheCertificatesperiodofvalidity,toensurethattheequipmentandassociatedpumpandpipingsystems,includingoildischargemonitoringandcontrolsystems,crudeoilwashingsystems,oilywaterseparatingequipmentandoilfilteringsystems,fullycomplywiththerequirementsoftheAnnex

(d)anannualsurveyheldwithinthreemonthsbeforeoraftertheanniversarydateoftheCertificateexceptwhentheannualsurveycoincideswiththeintermediatesurvey,thentheannualsurveywillnotbenecessary.

LimitationsOnTankSize.



Thesizesvaryaccordingtofactorssuchasthearrangementoftanks,thefittingofdoublebottoms,theinterposingofcleanballasttanksandsoonbutonnormaltankerscentretanksarelimitedto30,000cubicmetresandwingtanksto15,000cubicmetres.

SegregatedBallastTanks(SBTs)arerequiredonallnewcrudeoiltankersof20,000dwtandaboveandnewproductcarriersof30,000dwtandabove.SBTsmustalsobeprotectivelylocatedthatis,theymustbepositionedinsuchawaythattheywillhelpprotectthecargotanksintheeventofacollisionorgrounding.

ThefactthatSBTsarenotusedforcarryingoilmeansthatnooilwatermixturesareproducedandconsequentlynopollution.

Subdivisionandstabilityrequirementsensurethattankerscansurviveassumedsideorbottomdamagetoadegreewhichisspecifiedonthebasisoftheshipslength.

TankersandothershipsmustcarryandmaintainanOilRecordBookinwhichalloperationsinvolvingoilaretoberecorded.ThebookcanbeinspectedbytheauthoritiesofanyStatewhichisaPartytotheConvention.

CrudeOilWashing(COW)isacceptedasanalternativetoSBTsonexistingtankersandisanadditionalrequirementonnewcrudetankers.

UnderCOW,tanksarewashednotwithwaterbutwithcrudeoilthecargoitself.Thesolventactionofthecrudeoilmakesthecleaningprocessfarmoreeffectivethanwhenwaterisusedandatthesametimethemixtureofoilandwaterwhichledtosomuchoperationalpollutioninthepastisvirtuallyended.(Thereisusuallyafinalwaterrinsebuttheamountofwaterinvolvedisverylow).Atthesametime,theownerisabletodischargefarmoreofhiscargothanbefore,sincelessofitiswasted.

ForexistingcrudeoiltankersathirdalternativewaspermissibleforaperiodoftwotofouryearsafterentryintoforceofMARPOL73/78.Thiswascalleddedicatedcleanballasttanks(CBT)andwasasystemwherebycertaintankswherededicatedsolelytothecarriageofballastwater:ThiswascheaperthanafullSBTsystem,sinceitutilisedexistingpumpingandpiping,butwhentheperiodofgraceexpired(2October1987),othersystemshadtobeused.

NationalPlanToCombatMarinePollution

ThiswassetupafterthegroundingoftheOceanicGrandeurinTorresStraitinApril1970.

Stockpilesofdispersantmaterialsandequipmentaresetupat9portsaroundAustralia.Thematerialandequipmentcanbetakenbyseaorairrapidlytoanyareawhereitmaybeneeded.Sydneyalsohasaseparatestockpileoftransferequipment,whichcanbeusedtolightentankersintheeventofcollisionorstranding.Itconsistsofsubmersiblepumps,hoses,generators,fenders,etc.ThecostofthisismetbythePollutionoftheSeabyOil(ShippingLevy)and(ShippingLevyCollection)Acts.

12.3PollutionPreventionFromSmallVessels

Observeantispillandfireprecautionswhenrefuelling.

Dontdischargeoilybilgeswithin12nauticalmilesfromcoast.Observetheaboveguidelineswhendischargingoutside12miles.Oilybilgesmustbedischargedintoamobileora



shorebasedpumpoutfacility.Observetheabovelargevesselguidelineswhendischargingatsea.Bilgewatercaneasilybecleanedbyinstallinganoilabsorbentpadoraoilywaterseparatornearthebilgepump.Bilgespongesareavailablefrommostchandlers.

Engineoilmustonlybedischargedintoanoilreceptionbargeorashorefacility.

Ifavesselisnotfittedwithaseparateoilywastetank,oilybilgewatershouldbepumpedintoacontainerondeckfordisposalwhenashore.

NodischargeofanytypeispermittedinthespeciallyprotectedareaoftheGreatBarrierReef.Thismeansthatvesselsarepreventedfromdischargingunprocessedgarbagewithin12nauticalmilesoftheouteredgeofthereefinsomeplacesthisisasmuchas162nauticalmilesfromtheQueenslandcoast.

Youarerequiredtoreportanypollutingspillfromyourownvessel,and,requestedtoreportsightingofanyother.

InCaseOfAnOilSpill

Ceaseoperation

Easepressureonoverflowingtank.

Soundemergencyalarm

Bansmokinganywhereonboard

Takeallfireprecautions

Controlspill

Informauthorities

Cleanupondeck

FuelExpansionInHotWeather

Fuelexpandsinvolumeabout0.5%per1Criseintemperature.Therefore,witha10riseinairtemperatureacommondailyfluctuationinAustraliathefuelinatank,sittinginopenair,mayexpandby5%.Ignoringsomeexpansionofthetankitself,thisamountsto5cmriseinthesoundinginatankfulloffuel,measuring1x1xlmetre.Withoutsufficientullage(spacebetweentheliquidandtanktop),thefuelcouldoverflow.Duetopollutionhazardsassociatedwithfuel,itisusualforfueltankstobefittedwithaventingpipe.

GreatBarrierReef

UnderMARPOL,nodischargeofanytypeispermittedintheareaofGreatBarrierReef.Insomecasesthiscanbeasmuchas150nauticalmilesfromtheQueenslandcoast.Wheredischargesareprohibitedwithinacertaindistancefromthelandthesedistancesaremeasuredfromtheouteredgeofthereef.



AreaWhereNoDischargesArePermitted

12.6APOLPREPDescribedInNSWMarinePollutionAct

(1)Eachreportshallcontainingeneral:

(a)identityoftheship

(b)thetimeanddateoftheoccurrenceoftheincident

(c)thegeographicpositionoftheshipwhentheincidentoccurred

(d)thewindandseaconditionsprevailingatthetimeoftheincidentand

(e)relevantdetailsrespectingtheconditionoftheship.

(2)Eachreportshallcontain,inparticular:

(a)aclearindicationordescriptionoftheharmfulsubstancesinvolved,including,ifpossible,thecorrecttechnicalnamesofsuchsubstances(tradenamesshouldnotbeusedinplaceofthecorrecttechnicalnames)

(b)astatementorestimateofthequantitiesconcentrationsandlikelyconditionsofharmfulsubstancesdischargedorlikelytobedischargedintotheseaand

(c)whererelevant,adescriptionofthepackagingandidentifyingmarksand

(d)ifpossible,thenamesoftheconsignor,consigneeormanufacturer.



(3)Eachreportshallclearlyindicatewhethertheharmfulsubstancedischarged,orlikelytobedischargedisoil,anoxiousliquidsubstance,anoxioussolidsubstanceoranoxiousgaseoussubstanceandwhethersuchsubstancewasoriscarriedinbulkorcontainedinpackagedform,freightcontainers,portabletanks,orroadandrailtankwagons.

(4)Eachreportshallbesupplementedasnecessarybyanyotherrelevantinformationrequestedbyarecipientofthereportorwhichthepersonsendingthereportdeemsappropriate.

SpillOrDischargeByShip

A1Ship:name,size,type,callsign/shipstationidentityandflag

A2Name,addressandcontactdetailsofownerandagentofship/placeonland/purposebuiltpipeline/apparatus

A3Positionofdischargeandpositionofplaceonland/purposebuiltpipeline/apparatus

BDateandtimeofevent

Note:ExpressasUniversalCoordinatedTime

CPosition:latitudeandlongitude,or

DPosition:truebearinganddistance

Note:GiveCorD

ETruecourse

FSpeedinknots

LRouteinformation:intendedtrack

MRadiocommunications:meansofcommunication

NTimeofnextreport

Note:ExpressasUniversalCoordinatedTime

P1Typeofoilorthecorrecttechnicalnameofthenoxiousliquidsubstancesonboard

2UNnumbers

3Pollutioncategory(A,B,CorD)foreachnoxiousliquidsubstance

4Namesofmanufacturersofsubstancesorconsigneeorconsignor

5Estimateofthequantityofeachsubstance

Note:IncludeitemPinthecaseofprobabledischarge

SpillAsResultOfDamageToShip



Q1Structuralconditionofship,asrelevant

2Abilitytotransfercargo/ballast/fuel

R1Typeofoilorthecorrecttechnicalnameofthenoxiousliquidsubstancedischargedintothesea

2UNnumbers

3Pollutioncategory(A,B,CorD)foreachnoxiousliquidsubstance

4Namesofmanufacturersofsubstancesorconsigneeorconsignor

5Estimateofthequantityofeachsubstance

6Whetherdischargedsubstancesfloatedorsank

7Whetherdischargeiscontinuing

8Causeofdischarge

9Estimateofthetrajectoryofthedischarge,givingweatherconditions,ifknown

10Estimateoftheseasurfaceareacoveredbythedischarge

Note:IncludeitemRinthecaseofactualdischarge

SWeatherconditions(i.e.briefdetailsofweatherandseaconditionsprevailing)

X1Actionbeingtakenwithregardtothedischargeandthemovementoftheship

2Assistanceorsalvageeffortswhichhavebeenrequestedorwhichhavebeenprovidedbyothers

Note:Themasterofanassistingorsalvagingshipshouldalsoreporttheparticularsofactionundertakenorplanned

Form2Noticeofalterationordamagetoship

(Clause22)

(MarinePollutionAct1987,sections37and42)

To:NSWMaritimeAuthority

1Nameofship:

2Officialnumber(ifany):

3Homeport/portofregistry:

4Callsign:



5Nameofowner(s)oragent:

6Addressofprincipalplaceofbusinessofowner(s)oragent:

7(a)DateofissueandreferencenumberofInternationalOilPollutionPreventionCertificate(inthecaseofashipconstructedinaccordancewithAnnexIoftheConvention):

(b)DateofissueandreferencenumberofInternationalPollutionPreventionCertificatefortheCarriageofNoxiousLiquidSubstancesinBulk(inthecaseofashipconstructedinaccordancewithAnnexIIoftheConvention):

8Descriptionofnatureandextentofalterationordamagetotheship(includingdate(s)onwhichdamageoccurredanddate(s)onwhichrepairsoralterations,asthecasemaybe,werecommencedandcompleted):

9Nameandaddressofpersonorcorporationeffectingalterationorrepairs:

10Reason(s)for,orcause(s)of,alterationorrepairs:

11Particularsofchangesintheconstructionoftheship:

12(a)Additionalinformation(ifany)affectingthecomplianceoftheshipwiththeprovisionsofAnnexIoftheConvention(inthecaseofashipconstructedinaccordancewithAnnexI):

(b)Additionalinformation(ifany)affectingthecomplianceoftheshipwiththeprovisionsofAnnexIIoftheConvention(inthecaseofashipconstructedinaccordancewithAnnexII):

Signatureofmasterorowner:

Date:

NSWMarinePollutionActPenalties

10Dutytoreportcertainincidentsinvolvingoiloranoilymixture

(1)WhereaprescribedincidentoccursinStatewatersinrelationtoaship,themasteroftheshipshall,withoutdelay,notify,intheprescribedmanner,theMinisteroftheincident.

Penalty:500penaltyunits.

(2)Inaprosecutionofapersonforanoffenceagainstsubsection(1)inrelationtoaprescribedincident,itisadefenceifthepersonprovesthatthepersonwasunabletocomplywiththesubsectioninrelationtotheincident.

(3)WhereaprescribedincidentoccursinStatewatersinrelationtoashipand:

(a)themasteroftheshipisunabletocomplywithsubsection(1)inrelationtotheincident,or

(b)theincidentoccursincircumstancesinwhichtheshipisabandoned,theowner,charterer,manageroroperatoroftheshiporanagentoftheowner,charterer,manageroroperatoroftheshipshall,withoutdelay,notify,intheprescribedmanner,theMinisterofthe



incidentand,iftheMinisterisnotsonotified,eachofthosepersonsisguiltyofanoffencepunishable,uponconviction,byafinenotexceeding:

(c)iftheoffenderisanaturalperson500penaltyunits,or

(d)iftheoffenderisabodycorporate2500penaltyunits.

(4)Inaprosecutionofapersonforanoffenceagainstsubsection(3)inrelationtoaprescribedincidentinrelationtoaship,itisadefenceifthepersonproves:

(a)thatthepersonwasnotawareoftheincident,or

(b)inthecaseofaprescribedincidenttowhichsubsection(3)(a)applies,thatthepersonneitherknewnorsuspectedthatthemasteroftheshipwasunabletocomplywithsubsection(1)inrelationtotheincident.

(5)Subsection(4)shallnotbetakentolimitbyimplicationanydefencethatwould,butforthatsubsection,beavailabletoapersonchargedwithanoffenceagainstsubsection(3).

(6)Amasterofashipwho,pursuanttosubsection(1),hasnotifiedtheMinisteroftheoccurrenceofaprescribedincidentshall,ifsorequestedbytheMinister,furnish,withintheprescribedtime,areporttotheMinisterinrelationtotheincidentinaccordancewiththeprescribedform.


(7)Wheresubsection(3)appliesinrelationtoaprescribedincidentinrelationtoaship,apersonwho,pursuanttothatsubsection,hasnotifiedtheMinisteroftheoccurrenceoftheprescribedincidentshall,ifsorequestedbytheMinister,furnish,withintheprescribedtime,areporttotheMinisterinrelationtotheincidentinaccordancewiththeprescribedform.


(8)Apersonshallnot,inanoticegiventotheMinisterpursuanttosubsection(1)or(3)orinareportfurnishedtotheMinisterpursuanttosubsection(6)or(7),makeastatementthatisfalseormisleadinginamaterialparticular.


(9)AnoticegiventotheMinisterpursuanttosubsection(1)or(3),andareportfurnishedtotheMinisterpursuanttosubsection(6)or(7),shallnot,withouttheconsentofthepersoncharged,beadmittedinevidenceinaprosecutionforanoffenceagainstsection8(1).

(10)Inthissection,prescribedincident,inrelationtoaship,means:

(a)adischargefromtheshipofoiloranoilymixture,notbeingadischargetowhichsection8(4)applies,or

(b)anincidentinvolvingtheprobabilityofadischargefromtheshipofoiloranoilymixture,notbeingadischargetowhichsection8(4)wouldapply.

carry out refuelling and fuel transfer operations

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