1 Preamble
1.1 Guidelines for the in-port inspection of crude oil washing (COW)
procedures, as called for by resolution 7 of the International Conference on
Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention, 1978, are required to provide a uniform and
effective control of crude oil washing to ensure compliance of ships at all times
with the provisions of MARPOL.
1.2 The design of the crude oil washing installation is subject to the
approval of the flag Administration. However, although the operational aspect of
crude oil washing is also subject to the approval of the same Administration, it
might be necessary for a port State authority to see to it that continuing
compliance with agreed procedures and parameters is ensured.
1.3 The COW Operations and Equipment Manual has been so specified that
it contains all the necessary information relating to the operation of crude oil
washing on a particular tanker. The objectives of the inspection would then be to
ensure that the provisions of the Manual dealing with safety procedures and with
pollution prevention are being strictly adhered to.
1.4 The method of the inspection is at the discretion of the port State
authority and may cover the entire operation or only those parts of the operation
which occur when the PSCO is on board.
1.5 Inspection will be governed by articles 5 and 6 of MARPOL.
2 Inspections
2.1 A port State should make the appropriate arrangements so as to ensure
compliance with requirements governing the crude oil washing of oil tankers. This is
not, however, to be construed as relieving terminal operators and shipowners of
their obligations to ensure that the operation is undertaken in accordance with the
regulations.
2.2 The inspection may cover the entire operation of crude oil washing
or only certain aspects of it. It is thus in the interest of all concerned that the
ship's records with regard to the COW operations are maintained at all times so that
a PSCO may verify those operations undertaken prior to the inspection.
3 Ship's personnel
3.1 The person in charge and the other nominated persons who have
responsibility in respect of the crude oil washing operation should be identified.
They must, if required, be able to show that their qualifications meet the
requirements, as appropriate, of paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Revised
specifications for the design, operation and control of crude oil washing
systems (resolution A.446(XI)), as amended.
3.2 The verification may be accomplished by reference to the
individual's discharge papers, testimonials issued by the ship's operator or by
certificates issued by a training centre approved by an Administration. The numbers
of such personnel should be at least as stated in the Manual.
4 Documentation
The following documents should be available for inspection:
-
.1 the IOPP Certificate and the Record of Construction and Equipment, to
determine:
-
.1 whether the ship is fitted with a crude oil washing system as
required in regulation 33 of MARPOL Annex I;
-
.2 whether the crude oil washing system is according to and complying
with the requirements of regulations 33 and 35 of MARPOL Annex I;
-
.3 the validity and date of the Operations and Equipment Manual; and
-
.4 the validity of the Certificate;
-
.2 the approved Manual;
-
.3 the ORB; and
-
.4 the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate to confirm that
the inert gas system conforms to regulations contained in chapter II-2 of
SOLAS 1974.
5 Inert gas system
5.1 Inert gas system regulations require that instrumentation shall be
fitted for continuously indicating and permanently recording at all times when inert
gas is being supplied, the pressure and the oxygen content of the gas in the inert
gas supply main. Reference to the permanent recorder would indicate if the system
had been operating before and during the cargo discharge in a satisfactory
manner.
5.2 If conditions specified in the Manual are not being met then the
washing must be stopped until satisfactory conditions are restored.
5.3 As a further precautionary measure, the oxygen level in each tank to
be washed is to be determined at the tank. The meters used should be calibrated and
inspected to ensure that they are in good working order. Readings from tanks already
washed in port prior to inspection should be available for checking. Spot checks on
readings may be instituted.
6 Electrostatic generation
It should be confirmed either from the cargo log or by questioning the
person in charge that presence of water in the crude oil is being minimized as
required by paragraph 6.7 of the Revised Specifications for the design, operation
and control of crude oil washing systems (resolution A.446(XI)), as amended.
7 Communication
It should be established that effective means of communication exist
between the person in charge and the other persons concerned with the COW
operation.
8 Leakage on deck
PSCOs should ensure that the COW piping system has been operationally
tested for leakage before cargo discharge and that the test has been noted in the
ship's ORB.
9 Exclusion of oil from engine-room
It should be ascertained that the method of excluding cargo oil from the
machinery space is being maintained by inspecting the isolating arrangements of the
tank washing heater (if fitted) or of any part of the tank washing system which
enters the machinery space.
10 Suitability of the crude oil
In judging the suitability of the oil for crude oil washing, the
guidance and criteria contained in section 9 of the COW Operations and Equipment
Manual should be taken into account.
11 Checklist
It should be determined from the ship's records that the pre-crude oil
wash operational checklist was carried out and all instruments functioned correctly.
Spot checks on certain items may be instituted.
12 Wash programmes
12.1 Where the tanker is engaged in a multiple port discharge, the ORB
would indicate if tanks were crude oil washed at previous discharge ports or at sea.
It should be determined that all tanks which will or may be used to contain ballast
on the forthcoming voyage will be crude oil washed before the ship departs from the
port. There is no obligation to wash any tank other than ballast tanks at a
discharge port except that each of these other tanks must be washed at least in
accordance with paragraph 6.1 of the revised Specifications for the design,
operation and control of crude oil washing systems (resolution A.446(XI)),
as amended. The ORB should be inspected to check that this is being complied
with.
12.2 All crude oil washing must be completed before a ship leaves its
final port of discharge.
12.3 If tanks are not being washed in one of the preferred orders given
in the Manual, the PSCO should determine that the reason for this and the proposed
order of tank washing are acceptable.
12.4 For each tank being washed it should be ensured that the operation
is in accordance with the Manual in that:
-
.1 the deck mounted machines and the submerged machines are
operating either by reference to indicators, the sound patterns or other
approved methods;
-
.2 the deck mounted machines, where applicable, are programmed as stated;
-
.3 the duration of the wash is as required; and
-
.4 the number of tank washing machines being used simultaneously does not
exceed that specified.
13 Stripping of tanks
13.1 The minimum trim conditions and the parameters of the stripping
operations are to be stated in the Manual.
13.2 All tanks which have been crude oil washed are to be stripped. The
adequacy of the stripping is to be checked by hand dipping at least in the aftermost
hand dipping location in each tank or by such other means provided and described in
the Manual. It should be ascertained that the adequacy of stripping has been checked
or will be checked before the ship leaves its final port of discharge.
14 Ballasting
14.1 Tanks that were crude oil washed at sea will be recorded in the
ORB. These tanks must be left empty between discharge ports for inspection at the
next discharge port. Where these tanks are the designated departure ballast tanks
they may be required to be ballasted at a very early stage of the discharge. This is
for operational reasons and also because they must be ballasted during cargo
discharge, if hydrocarbon emission is to be contained on the ship. If these tanks
are to be inspected when empty, then this must be done shortly after the tanker
berths. If a PSCO arrives after the tanks have begun accepting ballast, then the
sounding of the tank bottom would not be available. However, an examination of the
surface of the ballast water is then possible. The thickness of the oil film should
not be greater than that specified in paragraph 4.2.10(b) of the revised
Specifications for the design, operation and control of crude oil washing
systems (resolution A.446(XI)), as amended.
14.2 The tanks that are designated ballast tanks will be listed in the
Manual. It is, however, left to the discretion of the master or responsible officer
to decide which tanks may be used for ballast on the forthcoming voyage. It should
be determined from the ORB that all such tanks have been washed before the tanker
leaves its last discharge port. It should be noted that where a tanker back-loads a
cargo of crude oil at an intermediate port into tanks designated for ballast, then
it should not be required to wash those tanks at that particular port but at a
subsequent port.
14.3 It should be determined from the ORB that additional ballast water
has not been put into tanks which have not been crude oil washed during previous
voyages.
14.4 It should be verified that the departure ballast tanks are stripped
as completely as possible. Where departure ballast is filled through cargo lines and
pumps these must be stripped either into another cargo tank or ashore by the special
small diameter line provided for this purpose.
14.5 The methods to avoid vapour emission where locally required will be
provided in the Manual and they must be adhered to. The PSCO should ensure that this
is being complied with.
14.6 The typical procedures for ballasting listed in the Manual must be observed. The
PSCO should ensure this is being complied with.
14.7 When departure ballast is to be shifted, the discharge into the sea
must be in compliance with regulations 15 and 34 of MARPOL Annex I. The ORB should be
inspected to ensure that the ship is complying with this.