4 Sampling and analysis
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.356(78) - 2022 Guidelines for Brief Sampling of Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships - (adopted on 10 June 2022) - Annex - 2022 Guidelines for Brief Sampling of Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships - 4 Sampling and analysis

4 Sampling and analysis

Sampling methods

4.1 During sampling, care should be taken not to affect the integrity or operation of the anti-fouling system.

4.2 Sampling where the anti-fouling coating is visibly damagedfootnote or on block mark areas on the flat bottom of the ship (where the intact anti-fouling system is not applied) should be avoided. Sampling adjacent to or below areas where the anti-fouling system is damaged should also be avoided. When a sample point on the hull has been selected, any fouling present should be removed with water and a soft sponge/cloth before taking a specimen of the anti-fouling system (to avoid contamination of the sample). Where possible, if carried out in dry dock, sampling should be carried out after the hull has been water-washed.

4.3 The materials required for brief sampling methodologies should ideally be inexpensive, widely available and therefore readily accessible, irrespective of sampling conditions and/or location.

4.4 The sampling procedure should ideally be easily and reliably undertaken. Persons conducting sampling should receive appropriate training in sampling methods.

Technical aspects

4.5 The sampling method should take into account the type of anti-fouling system used on the ship (taking into account that different parts of the hull may be treated with different anti-fouling systems).

4.6 Sampling and analysis of the ship's anti-fouling system could be related to only one or to all of the substances listed in Annex 1 of the AFS Convention. The following cases could be considered:

  • Case A. Analysis of organotin only

  • Case B. Analysis of cybutryne only

  • Case C. Simplified approach to detect organotin and cybutryne

4.7 Depending on the case, the number of samples, analysis, and definition of compliance will differ.

4.8 Specimens of paint for analysis during survey and certification can be taken either as wet paintfootnote from product containers, or dry paint film sampled from the hull.

Sampling strategy and number of samples

4.9 The sampling strategy is dependent on the precision of the sampling method, the analytical requirements, costs, and required time and the purpose of the sampling. The number of paint specimens taken of each sample should allow for a retention quantity for back-up/storage in the event of a dispute. For dry samples, triplicate specimens of paint at each sampling point should be taken in close proximity to each other on the hull (e.g. within 10 cm of each other).

4.10 In cases where it is recognized that more than one type of anti-fouling system is present on the hull, where access can be gained, samples should be taken from each type of system:

  • .1 For survey purposes or for more thorough inspections pursuant to article 11(2) of the Convention, in order to verify the compliance of an anti-fouling system, the number of sample points should reflect representative areas of the ship's hull.

  • .2 For inspection purposes pursuant to article 11(1) of the Convention sample points on the hull should be selected covering representative areas where the anti-fouling system is intact. Depending on the size of the ship and accessibility to the hull, at least four sample points should be equally spaced down the length of the hull. If sampling is undertaken in dry dock, flat bottom areas of the hull should be sampled in addition to vertical sides as different anti-fouling systems can be present on these different areas.

4.11 The distribution of any remaining anti-fouling paint on the hull surface may not be uniform. Therefore, it is important that the sampling is representative of the hull status; see Guidelines for survey and certification of anti-fouling systems on ships, appendix I, paragraph 2).

Analysis

4.12 The analysis of the anti-fouling system should ideally involve minimal analytical effort and economic cost.

4.13 The analysis should be conducted by a recognized laboratory meeting the ISO 17025 standard or another appropriate facility at the discretion of the Administration or the port State.

4.14 The analytical process should be expeditious, such that results are rapidly communicated to the officers authorized to enforce the Convention.

4.15 The analysis should produce unambiguous results expressed in units consistent with the Convention and its associated guidelines. For example, for organotin, results should be expressed as: mg tin (Sn) per kg of dry paint, and, for cybutryne: mg of cybutryne per kg of dry paint.

NOTE: Compound-specific sampling and analytical methodologies are described in the appendices to these Guidelines.

Parent topic: Annex - 2022 Guidelines for Brief Sampling of Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships
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