1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee,
at its fifty-ninth session (13 to 17 July 2009), noted the outcome
of the discussion, during the fifty-second session of the Sub-Committee
on Ship Design and Equipment, on the proposed Guide to diagnosing
contaminants in oily bilge water to maintain, operate and troubleshoot
bilge water treatment systems developed by the Institute of Marine
Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and in particular,
noted the Sub-Committee’s view that the Guide could be an excellent
tool to help engine-room crews to comply with MARPOL requirements.
2 The Committee noted also that, in order to refine
the current text, further consideration would be beneficial and should
be pursued through the DE Sub-Committee. However, recognizing the
usefulness of the information contained in the Guide as a means to
address the most common system maintenance and operations problems
leading to equipment failure, the Committee agreed to disseminate
the Guide (MEPC 59/24, paragraphs 10.28 and 10.29), attached at annex,
as an MEPC circular for the benefit of all those dealing with operations
and maintenance of oily bilge water treatment systems in port or on
board ships.
3 Member Governments are invited to bring this
circular to the attention of all interested parties, especially shipboard
personnel sailing in ships flying their flags.