Preventive measures: Contaminant minimization
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Marine Environment Protection Committee - MEPC.1/Circular.677 – Guide to Diagnosing Contaminants in Oily Bilge Water to Maintain, Operate and Troubleshoot Bilge Water Treatment Systems – (22 July 2009) - Annex – A Guide to Diagnosing Contaminants in Oily Bilge Water to Maintain, Operate and Troubleshoot Bilge Water Treatment Systems - Appendix III – Recommended Major Preventive, Redmedial and Corrective Actions - Preventive measures: Contaminant minimization

Preventive measures: Contaminant minimization

 ▸ Control the amount of solvents, detergents and degreasers entering bilge. Additionally, control other engine-room chemicals that will cause problems and promote use of OWS-friendly chemicals.

▸ Control the amount of soot entering bilge from equipment washing (segregate washwater) and from exhaust leaks.

▸ Run OWS more frequently to prevent sludge build up in pipes, pumps and holding tanks.

▸ Control leaks and maintenance discharges of coolants, fuel oil, lubricants, hydraulic fluids and oil sludge into the bilge.

▸ Control leaks from boiler water and condensate drains, piston cooling water and any other sources of excess water (e.g., air conditioning and refrigeration condensate.) and chemicals. Control the discharge of sewage and food wastes into the bilge.

▸ Control leakage from sea suction cooling pipes.

▸ Control the discharge and build-up of rust and other particles in the bilge (e.g., from scraping and maintenance of machinery space equipment).

▸ Eliminate uncontrolled drain sources into the bilge; e.g., pump or shaft seal leakages. Install new/better seals in order to prevent bilge leakage.

▸ Point source reduction: redirecting known OWS trouble sources into other storage tanks that will be designated for shoreside disposal.

▸ Tank coatings and pipe condition play a major role in the operation. Focus on bilge water sources and utilization of composite pipe materials to prevent issues which are caused by corrosion. Tank coatings should also be examined and maintained. This is particularly important in low point collections areas.

▸ Collect leaking machinery oil in drip trays and dispose directly to sludge tank(s).

▸ Install skimming arrangements for bilge holding tanks in order to skim oil from the top for discharge into a sludge tank.

▸ Utilize a vessel’s incinerator to burn/evaporate the oil/water mixture.

▸ Utilize an evaporation tank with steam coils to help boil off water from an oil/water mixture.

▸ Collect clean water in segregated drains and divert this water from the bilge for disposal/overboard discharge.

Parent topic: Appendix III – Recommended Major Preventive, Redmedial and Corrective Actions
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