7.2 Ships carrying dangerous cargoes

  7.2.1.1 Prior to entering a port area , the master of a ship having dangerous cargoes on board should:

• .1 familiarize himself and the crew, as appropriate, with the legal requirements relating to ships carrying or handling dangerous cargoes in the port area ;

• .2 check the condition of the ship , its machinery, equipment and appliances, as appropriate;

• .3 check wherever possible, the dangerous cargoes and their containments for any damage or leakage; and

• .4 inform the port authority of any relevant deficiency of the ship , its machinery, equipment or appliances or any damage or leakage of dangerous cargoes or failure of containment system which may endanger life, property or the environment.

  7.2.1.2 Unless exempted by the port authority , the master of a ship should ensure that upon entering the port area :

• .1 proper communications are maintained with the port authority; and

• .2 when required, the signals referred to in 7.1.18.1 are displayed.

  7.2.2.1 The master of a ship should ensure that a safe deck watch and a safe engine watch are maintained at all times. The master should ensure that at all times there are sufficient crew available to operate the appropriate shipboard appliances in the case of an emergency.

  7.2.2.2 The master of a ship should, in organizing safe watchkeeping arrangements, take full account of the nature, quantity, packing and stowage of the dangerous cargoes and of any special conditions required.

  7.2.2.3 In organizing the watches, full account should also be taken of the requirements of sections A-VIII/2, part 4-1 and A-VIII/2, part 4-5 of the STCW Code.

  7.2.3.1 The master of a ship should ensure that the moorings used in securing the ship are of an appropriate type, and of sufficient strength and number for the size of the ship and the local conditions.

  7.2.3.2 Unless exempted by the port authority , the master of a ship which has to display the signals referred to in 7.1.18.1 should, at all times, while it is berthed in the port area :

• .1 provide towing wires (otherwise referred to in some places as “fire wires”) of adequate size at the bow and the stern ready for immediate use. The towing eye should be passed outboard and kept at about the water level by means of a rope stopper which will break under stress and release an adequate length of towing wire, stowed on deck for immediate use. The end of the wire should be properly secured to mooring bitts; and

• .2 ensure that the mooring arrangements are such that the ship can be released quickly in an emergency.

  7.2.3.3 The master of a ship should ensure that machinery necessary for the safety of the ship or the handling of cargo or ballast is properly maintained, attended and always ready for use and that funnel uptakes and boiler tubes are not blown without the permission of the port authority .

  7.2.3.4 The master of a ship should ensure that adequate safe means of access are provided between the ship and the shore.

  7.2.4.1 The master of a ship should, as appropriate, make himself, his officers and his crew familiar with the emergency response procedures established in the port area and the facilities available at the berth .

  7.2.4.2 The master of a ship should consider the necessity for arrangements for a safe and quick emergency escape, taking into account the nature of the dangerous cargoes and any special conditions on board.

  7.2.4.3 The master of a ship should establish emergency response procedures on board the ship to deal with incidents involving dangerous cargoes carried or to be carried on board and should ensure that the officers and crew are properly trained in carrying out such procedures.

  7.2.5.1 The master of a ship carrying dangerous cargoes should ensure that in addition to the information to be provided in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/15.2.4.2, the following information is kept at the same place:

• .1 a list of all dangerous cargoes on board in transit;

• .2 a list of all dangerous cargoes to be unloaded in the port area ; and

• .3 a list of all dangerous cargoes to be loaded in the port area and the intended stowage and loading arrangement on board the ship .

  7.2.5.2 The master of a ship should ensure that the officer on duty has the necessary information on measures to be taken to deal with incidents involving dangerous cargoes and that it is available for use in emergencies.

  7.2.5.3 The master should ensure that, in addition to the emergency response procedures required for dangerous cargoes, any appropriate security provisions are readily accessible. Such information includes for example the Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS Guide) for use in conjunction with the transport document, the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) (included in the IMDG Code Supplement) and safety data sheets.

  7.2.5.4 The master of a ship should ensure that the duty officer is always aware of the crew members or passengers and/or visitors on board or on shore leave.

  7.2.6.1 The master of a ship should ensure that:

• .1 places where smoking is prohibited are designated; and

• .2 notices in a pictogram form prohibiting smoking are clearly visible at all locations and at a safe distance from places where smoking would constitute a hazard.

  7.2.6.2 The master of a ship should ensure that tools or equipment that are used in an area or space where a flammable or explosive atmosphere may exist or may develop, are used in such a manner that no fire or explosion can be caused.

  7.2.6.3 The master of a ship should ensure that, in areas or spaces in which a flammable atmosphere may occur, only portable electrical equipment, including any used for sampling or ullaging, of a type safe for use in a flammable atmosphere is used.

  7.2.6.4 The master of a ship should ensure that electrical equipment on a wandering electrical lead is not used in areas or spaces where a flammable atmosphere may occur.

  7.2.6.5 The master of a ship should ensure that adequate and properly tested fire-fighting facilities, appropriate to the dangerous cargoes on board, are readily available and that the crew is trained and practised in the use of the tested fire-fighting equipment.

  7.2.7.1 The master of a ship carrying dangerous cargoes on board should ensure that all necessary measures are taken to avoid accidental release of such cargoes into the environment.

  7.2.8.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should ensure that, if an incident occurs during the handling of dangerous cargoes which may endanger the safety or security of persons, of the ship or of other ships within the port, of the port or of any other property or the environment, the person having charge of the handling immediately causes the operation to be stopped, if it is safe to do so, and prevents it being resumed until adequate safety measures have been taken. The master of a ship should impose upon each member of his crew the obligation of reporting the incident, to the person having charge of the operation and to the appropriate authorities, of any such incident occurring during the handling of dangerous cargoes .

  7.2.8.2 The master of a ship should ensure that any incident which may affect the safety or security of the port area , the population or the environment, is immediately reported to the port authority . These may include incidents involving the ship, its crew, machinery, equipment or appliances, or to the dangerous cargoes or their containments which occur while in the port area , or after notification in accordance with 7.1.2 has been given.

  7.2.8.3 The master of a ship should ensure that any damaged or leaking package, unit load or cargo transport unit containing dangerous cargoes on board the ship is reported immediately to the berth operator and the port authority and that suitable remedial action is taken in accordance with 7.1.6.2.

  7.2.9.1 The master of a ship should ensure that, where practicable, regular inspections are carried out by the crew on the condition of the dangerous cargoes or their containments while on board the ship in the port area .

  7.2.9.2 The master of a ship should ensure that all necessary support is given to the port authority when an inspection of dangerous cargoes and/or their containments on board the ship is carried out by them.

  7.2.10.1 The master of a ship , after having consulted the berth operator , where appropriate, should ensure that no repair or maintenance work resulting in the immobilization of the ship , its cargo handling equipment or the non-functioning of its safety appliances is carried out without prior permission of the port authority .

  7.2.10.2 The master of a ship and persons carrying out the repair or maintenance work, after having consulting the berth operator , should ensure that they are in possession of a permit to proceed issued by the port authority before any such work involving hot work and any other repair or maintenance work which may lead to a hazard because of the presence of dangerous cargoes , is carried out on a ship .

  7.2.10.3 Minimum safety requirements for carrying out hot work are set out in annex 4.

  7.2.11.1 The master of a ship should ensure that no person enters any enclosed space, such as a cargo space, cargo tank, void space around such tank, cargo handling space, ballast tank or other confined or enclosed space which has contained or may contain dangerous vapours or oxygen-depleting cargoes, unless the space is free of dangerous vapours, is not deficient in oxygen, and that entry has been authorized by a responsible person . The responsible person should be trained in the use of the relevant equipment to test the space and sufficiently knowledgeable to interpret correctly the results obtained. The responsible person should record the measurements taken.

  7.2.11.2 Where it is necessary for operational purposes to enter a space which cannot be freed of dangerous vapours within a reasonable time or it is unlikely that the space will remain free of dangerous vapours, then entry should only be made by personnel wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, and any other necessary protective equipment and clothing. The entire operation should be carried out under the direct supervision of the responsible person who should be provided with self-contained breathing apparatus, protective equipment and rescue harness. The breathing apparatus, protective and rescue equipment should not be of a type that could introduce a source of ignition into the space.

  7.2.11.3 The master of a ship should ensure that entry into a space mentioned in 7.2.11.1 follows the carefully established procedures contained in international codes and guides.

  7.2.12.1 The master of a ship under fumigation or which has compartments under fumigation or fumigated cargo transport units on board should ensure, that appropriate warning signs (see 7.1.11.1) are displayed at a clearly visible position at the gangway or entrance to the compartment or cargo transport unit. The signs should state the hazard to anyone entering the ship , compartment or cargo transport unit.

  7.2.12.2 The master of a ship should ensure that no person enters the ship , compartment or cargo transport unit which has been fumigated unless it has been thoroughly ventilated, determined gas-free, fumigation warning signs removed and a responsible person has determined that it is safe to enter and issued a clearance certificate. Where pertinent, all confined space entry procedures shall be complied with.

  7.2.12.4 A guide to fumigation operations is set out in annex 7.

  7.2.13.1 The master of a ship should ensure that bilge water, wastes, ballast or slops contaminated with dangerous cargoes are collected and kept on board whilst in the port area either in the cargo space, or other designated spaces, or watertight receptacles to avoid accidental spillage.

  7.2.13.2 The master of a ship having bilge water, wastes, ballast or slops contaminated with dangerous cargoes on board should ensure that such contaminated bilge water, wastes, ballast or slops are removed from the ship in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory authority prior to the ship leaving the port area.

  7.2.14.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should ensure that no person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed to participate in any operation involving the handling of dangerous cargoes . Any such persons should be kept clear of the immediate areas where dangerous cargoes are being transported or handled.

  7.2.15.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should not permit dangerous cargoes to be handled in weather conditions which may seriously increase the risk.

  7.2.16.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should ensure that the areas where dangerous cargoes are handled or where preparations are being made for the handling of dangerous cargoes and access to such areas are adequately illuminated.

  7.2.17.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should ensure that all ship’s equipment, including cargo-securing equipment, used in the handling of dangerous cargoes is suitable for such use and used only by skilled persons .

  7.2.17.2 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should ensure that all ship’s cargo handling equipment is of an approved type, properly maintained, and tested in accordance with national and international legal requirements.

  7.2.18.1 The master of a ship , within his area of responsibility, should, when necessary, provide a sufficient quantity of appropriate protective equipment and clothing for the ship’s personnel involved in the handling of dangerous cargoes .

  7.2.18.2 The protective equipment and clothing should provide adequate protection against the hazards specific to the dangerous cargoes handled and should, where appropriate, be of an approved type or made in conformity with an approved standard.

  7.2.19.1 The master of the ship should familiarize himself with the security requirements of the port.