OPERATIONAL SPILL PREVENTION-GENERAL

The crew shall maintain a close watch for the escape of oil at the commencement of and during bunkering operations. In particular, care shall be taken to ensure that pipeline valves, including drop valves, are closed if not in use.

Bunker tanks that have been topped up should be checked frequently during the remaining loading operations to avoid an overflow. If leakage-occurs from a pipeline, valve, hose or loading arm, operations through that connection shall be stopped until the cause has been ascertained and the defect remedied. If a pipeline, hose or loading arm bursts, or if there is substantial leakage or an overflow, all cargo and bunker operations shall be stopped immediately and shall not be restarted until the fault has been rectified and all hazards from the released oil eliminated.

If there is any possibility of the released oil or fume's entering an engine room intake, appropriate preventive steps must be taken quickly.

Any spill shall be reported to the authorities and to any adjacent ship. At the start of and at regular intervals throughout bunker a watch shall be kept to ensure that oil is not escaping through the sea valves or from any other part of the ship's structure.

When not in use, sea and overboard discharge valves connected to the cargo and ballast systems must be securely closed and lashed and may be sealed. In-line blanks shall be

inserted where provided. When lashing is not practical, as with hydraulic valves, some suitable means of marking shall be used to indicate clearly that valves are to remain

closed.

Before bunker starts, all deck scuppers and open drains must be effectively plugged to prevent spilled oil escaping overboard. Accumulations of water shell be drained

periodically and scupper plugs "replaced immediately after the water has run off. Oily water should be transferred to a slop tank or other suitable receptacle. Any free-floating

oil or oil droplets shall be removed before draining using sorbents from the on-board equipment supply.

Unless there are permanent means for retention of any slight leakage at ship/shore connections, it is essential that a drip pan be in place to catch any leakage.

Prior to any bunker operation, the Pollution Emergency Team mobilize the on-board oil spill equipment and place it convenient to the operation that is planned. Oil sorbent

boom or sorbent material shall be placed along the railing of the side at which the bunker operation takes place.

1 What shall the crew do during bunkering operations?

2 Why shall care be taken?

3 What does the Pollution Emergency Team do?

FIRE/EXPLOSION

The first few minutes after a fire is discovered are vital and the SOLAS Training Manual and the measures to be taken should be completely familiar to all Officers and key crew members on board. Ref: Annex I # 1,2,3.

Action Checklist

The Master's priorities should be:

Ensure safety of passengers and crew

Limit damage to vessel and cargo

Prevent environmental pollution.

Sound Emergency Stations; Emergency Response Squad Leader shall investigate extent of the fire and assess risk of explosion.

All cargo operations must cease and spaces battened down. Close fire and watertight doors as appropriate and assess ventilation requirements.

Notify the shore authorities and Local Coastal State.

General Arrangement Plan, Damage Control/Fire Fighting Plan, Capacity Plan, Tank Plan, Cargo Plan and stability information made ready for the local fire control officer -if in port. Prepare/locate list of passengers and crew.

Boats shall be swung out to embarkation level and stored with extra equipment -if at sea.

If possible the vessel should be headed in such a direction as to avoid the spread of fire due to wind action, unless dense smoke is hampering fire fighting operations.

An urgency or distress message dispatched.

It should be remembered that fire is the most common casualty encountered at sea. Emergency fire practices must be regularly carried out and be as thorough and realistic as possible to exercise all crewmembers in their emergency duties.

Initial Report Format

a) Name and call sign of vessel/flag.

b) Name and position/rank of reporting personnel.

c) Date and time (specify local or GMT) when fire was discovered.

d) Latitude and longitude to nearest minute, or name of port and berth number.

e) Course and speed.

f) Nature and extent of fire.

g) Location of fire.

h) Brief but clear description of any losses and/or damages, and general condition of

i) vessel (whether disabled, listing, etc.).

j) Actual envisaged pollution threat,

k) State of sea.

l) Creative measures taken and/or planned to be taken.

m) Assistance required.

n) Assistance available locally,

o) Surveys arranged or taking place.

p) o) Arrangements for further communications.
p) Agencies and/or persons already notified.

q) Tank soundings and description of tank contents (diesel, fresh water or ballast),

r) Number of casualties and brief description of their injuries,

s) Weather conditions and forecast.

1 What must Master do with cargo operations?

2 Whom shall Master notify?

3 What must regularly carried out and be as thorough and realistic as possible to exercise all crewmembers in their emergency duties ?

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 901