IMO & MARPOL Requirements for Crude Oil Tanker Operation

On completion of this chapter you will have an understanding of:

• The environmental. Safety-security tasks and requirements.
• The information given in the different data sheets.
• The requirements for deployment of firefighting equipment during loading.
• The requirements for maintenance of firefighting equipment and record keeping.
• The IMO/MARPOL requirements to equipment and operation of a crude oil tanker in order to prevent Oil pollution.
• The requirements for reporting of oil spills and situations that may lead to oil spill, according to the vessel's Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan or SOPEP.

Laden Voyage for Oil Tanker Carriers

On completion of this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        Who issues a voyage order?

·        The consequences of a voyage order.

·        The navigational procedures for safe navigation and restrictions applicable for crude oil tankers.

·        The standard routine checks of the vessel's condition.

·        The physical reaction of crude oil during a sea passage.

·        The standard routines for control of the cargo.

The special procedures required in order to maintain the quality of certain grades of crude oil.

Oil Tanker Pre-Departure Check List and Departure

On completion of this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        The purpose of the check list

·        The tasks and who is doing what

·        The obligation to report to superiors when any negative items are observed

·        The standard procedures for a crude oil tanker when departing a loading port

·        The Early Departure Procedure (EDP)

·        Who is responsible for the various activities?

·        The formalities regarding cargo documentation, and port clearance

Procedures for Ballasting, Deballasting and Loading Operations

On completion of this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        The procedures for loading.

·        The obligation to inform superiors.

·        The standard record requirements.

·        The alerting sequence and response in case of emergency.

·        The effect on moorings during loading.

·        The principles of the Vapour Return System (VRS) or Volatile Emission Control System (VECS).

·        The procedures for topping off cargo tanks and completion of loading.

·        The process of final cargo survey, ullage – temperatures water dips - sampling – cargo calculation.

·        The process for cargo release.

Standard Arrival Procedures for Crude Oil Tanker

On completion or this chapter you will have an understanding of:

• The standard procedures when a crude oil tanker arrives at a port.
• Who is responsible for the various activities?
• The procedures when port authorities and terminal staff embark.

Tanker Loading Operation

On completion of this chapter you will have an understanding or:

·        Who issues a loading order?

·        The implications of a loading order

·        The load on top or LOT procedure

·        The difference between a loading and a voyage order

·        The purpose of a pre-arrival meeting

·        Who is responsible for making the loading plan?

·        The contents of a loading plan

·        Who must be familiar with the loading plan?

·        The purpose of the check list

·        The procedure if any negative answers appear in the check list, for instance malfunction of important equipment for the safe operation of the vessel

Tanker Environmental, Safety Security Operations

On completing this chapter you will be aware of documents and plans that address environmental, safety and security risks that are always present on tankers besides those specifically covered in ballast and cargo plans. These include:

·        Material Safety Data Sheet

·        The Fire and Safety Plans

·        The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP)

·        The Ships Security plan (SSP)

·        The Volatile Organic Compounds Management Plan

Cargo Tank Cleaning and Slops Disposal

Two tanker operations that have the greatest impact on the safety of personnel and of the environment are Cargo tank cleaning for man-entry, and the disposal of slops.

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        Why following a good plan of tank cleaning operations helps in the safety of personnel.

·        Why the location of the Ship, the condition of Oil in the bottom and oxygen in the atmosphere of tanks should be

·        Checked in preparing for tank cleaning apart from ensuring that the vessel is not in one of the designated MARPOL Special Areas.

·        When the overboard discharge line blank should be removed.

·        How to take in water safely for tank cleaning.

·        What is open cycle water washing and the advantages of closed cycle water washing?

·        Why purging with inert gas is necessary and when a tank is gas free enough for crew to enter.

·        All tank cleaning including cow and discharge or decanting of wear from slop tanks Is to he recorded in the Oil Record book part I.

Tasks and Requirements for Safe Voyage

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        How the next voyage order decides the tanker operations in the ballast voyage

·        Why cargo tank inspections are required routinely in ballast voyages

·        Why Crude oil washing machines need to be tested for functionality regularly.

·        Why ballast voyages are suitable for the most critical tanker operations in terms of safety of personnel.

·        The function of the ODME and why it is to be constantly switched on whether being used or not.

Ship and Shore Formalities After Discharge

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        The ship or shore formalities regarding documentation on discharged quantity

·        Pre-departure check list

·        The purpose of the check list

·        The tasks and who is doing what

·        The obligation to report to superiors when any negative items are observed

·        Departure

·        The process of port clearance

·        The standard procedures for crude on tanker when departing the discharge port

·        Who is responsible for the various activities?

Crude Oil Discharging Operation

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

• Why the start up stage is extremely critical.
• How the proven pressure capacity of the pumps valves and line systems is important when discharging at full rate.
• The aims of the ballasting stage.
• The main aims and concerns of crude oil washing.
• Why ship's trim and the discharge pressure of cargo pumps is important during stripping.
• The key features of the 3 cargo stripping systems and their use.
• Why pressing up of ballast tanks is important before departure.
• The ship's main concern during the final gauging of cargo tanks after discharge.
• The importance of the final line during of the cargo hose.

Procedures When a Crude Oil Tanker Arrives at Port

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

·        The standard procedures when a crude oil tanker arrives at port

·        The formalities when port authorities and terminal representatives embark

·        The process for cargo tank survey and sampling by independent cargo surveyors

·        The process concerning connecting cargo hoses arms

·        The terminal requirements

·        The agreed discharge plan

Oil Tanker Discharge Operation

On completing this chapter you will have an understanding of:

• Who Issues a discharge order?
• How is it different from a Voyage order?
• How a discharge order can imply many operational costs and strenuous effort and watches for a ship’s entire crew over many days.
• What is the purpose of a pre arrival navigation meeting, and a pre arrival cargo operations meeting?
• What are the main features of a tanker discharge and COW plan?
• What are the typical requirements of COW check lists?
• What are the typical Pre-arrival check conducted by different crew members.