7.1 The pipe flushing water must never be passed
into dedicated clean ballast tanks.
7.2 Water for flushing pipelines may be drawn
from the sea and from the dedicated clean ballast tanks and this will
be determined by the configuration of the tanker's piping system.
7.3 When flushing from dedicated clean ballast
tanks it is essential that the line has first been thoroughly drained
of oil. Flushing should normally start from the tank farthest from
the pump. After the line has been primed and suction established,
the pumping should be stopped and the valves closed for a period to
allow the oil to separate from the pipe walls. Pumping is then resumed
at a moderate speed with throttling of the output at the pump's delivery
side.
7.4 Water shall first be drawn from individual
dedicated clean ballast tanks to clear branch pipes.