Disposal for Spilled Oil and Prevention for Secondary Disaster

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Disposal for Spilled Oil and Prevention for Secondary Disaster

Half of all major oil pollution claims arise from incidents on ships not carrying oil cargoes. Although major spills receive international
attention, they contribute to less than 5-10% of oil pollution reported. When oil spills into the aquatic environment, it can harmorganisms
that live on or around the water surface or under the water. Spilled oil can also damage parts of the food chain, including human food
resources.
Although many species are harmed or killed soon after contact with the oil, other effects are not noticed immediately and can be longer
lasting:
1. wildlife can be slowly poisoned by long term exposure to toxins
2. predators can be exposed to oil by eating contaminated prey
3. scientists have observed developmental effects in bird embryosthat were exposed to oil
50% of all major pollution claims involve ships which are not carrying oil cargoes. Routine operational activities are of greater concern:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

bilge water disposal

tank washing
ballasting
fuel transfer
loading / unloading cargo on tankers.

MARPOL 73/78 Annex I:

Discharges of oil are permitted within limits which are considered 'reasonable and practical'. These limits are set out clearly in
MARPOL Annex I.
According to MARPOL Annex I, oil discharge is prohibited in 'special areas' (with minor exceptions) i.e. areas which are extremely
vulnerable to oil pollution.

As part of the environmental policy, regulations in MARPOL Annex I have to be considered during ballast operations. This is to ensure that
ballast water is not contaminated by oil products as a result of failures e.g. failure of bulkheads/joints between tanks or pipework systems
that run through ballast tanks.

Ballast overboard discharge valves are to be kept closed and warning notices posted at the valves, engine and cargo control rooms before
the vessel enters port or designated Special Areas.
Any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from the cargo area of an oil tanker shall be prohibited, except when all the following
conditions are satisfied:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

the
the
the
the
the
the

tanker is not in a Special Area

tanker is more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land
tanker is proceeding en route
rate of discharge does not exceed 30 litres per nautical mile
total quantity of oil discharged does not exceed 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the cargo
tanker has an Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment(ODME) in operation.

The discharged monitoring and control system should be used to discharge residue (Regulation 15).
Tanker Standard Equipment For Disposal Of Spilled Oil & Secondary Disaster Prevention
Slop Dump (Surface) Valve Arrangement (Emergency drains)
The slop dump valve arrangement is generally provided at the aftermost portion of the tank deck area. It connects the On-Deck
accumulation to the slop tank(s) on either side of the ship (where fitted).

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Opening of the drain valves in the case of an on deck oil spill must be authorized by the Chief Officer, or in his absence the duty deck
officer. Close attention must be taken of positive pressure in the slop tank, correct draining procedures must be followed.
A warning sign, displayed well above such fish plate level, with the text Not to be opened without authorization from the Chief Officer or
the duty deck officer should be posted by the drain valves.
Every Quarter, the function testing of the Slop Tank Dump (Surface) Valves is to be exercised using Quarterly Testing Record for
Miscellaneous Equipment
The crew are to be properly instructed during drills, on the correct draining procedures to be followed, at each case of oil spill. Incorrect
procedures could lead to serious aggravation of the case.
Equipment and Materials for on deck Oil Spill Clean up
Company designates Equipment and Materials for on deck Oil Spill Clean up in Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP).
Vessels equipment for clean up of an on deck oil spill shall be distributed correctly to prepare for Emergency Measures. Steel Drums
should not be directly placed or moved on deck without suitable non-conductive insulation beneath.
The Portable Pneumatic Diaphragm Pump shall be ready to use at aft Main deck. And Stripper pump (during discharge operations only)
should to be kept in state of readiness for the intended duration of operations.
Refer to on board SOPEP manual (or CFR 33 part 155.205 or 155.210 as applicable if in US navigable waters).
Inert Gas System
Main purpose of Inert Gas System is:
Maintain Pressure in Cargo Oil Tanks in proper range
Maintain Atmosphere in Cargo Oil Tanks as Inflammable Condition
In principle all operations should be suspended, if an Oil Pollution Incident occurs during Oil Transfer Operation, however Inert Gas System
may be operated continuously to prevent secondary disaster, Fire Accident.
How to Report an Emergency
The Master shall ensure that companys internal and local emergency contact details are posted in public areas and in accordance with the
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, the Emergency Procedures for Oil pollution Accidents and Vessel Response Plan (VRP) for
the vessels to serve in U.S. water.

Related articles:
Basic procedure for pumproom management
Ship to ship transferring oil Basic procedure and guideline
Oil pollution control Oil tanker safety guideline
Oil pollution countermeasures Oil tanker safety guideline
Oil cargo loading Preparation and guideline
Oil spillage prevention Oil tanker safety guideline

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Disaster prevention in oil tanker Procedure and guideline

Acceptance / rejection of fuel in a quality dispute
Operational guideline during bunkering
Bunker fuel sulfer limit of 3.50 % - Fuel Oil Regulations Frequently asked questions
Ships bunkering guideline- planning, preparation, safety checks & confirmation
Bunkering arrangement and safety factors onboard
Bunkering safe procedure and detail guideline for ships
How to keep bunkering record ?
Precautions prior transferring fuel oil into storage tanks
Treatment of waste oil and oily bilge
Bulk liquid cargo handling - Ship to shore safety checklist
Procedure for oil tankers and how to maintain records
Acceptance or rejection of fuel oil
Heating of fuel oil storage tank
Fuel oil viscosity control
Ships bunkering guideline- planning, preparation, safety checks & confirmation
Tanker vessel safety guideline - inert gas system
Tanker vessel safety guideline - gas freeing procedure
Precautions prior entering freezing zone - Check items in oil tankers operation
Tanker vessel safety guideline Check items in oil tankers operation
Tanker vessel safety guideline - how to prevent oil spillage
Tanker vessel safety guideline - tank cleaning procedures
How to ensure safe working atmosphere onboard?

Related Information
General guidance for oil tankers
Tanker equipment and machinery
Pumproom procedure
Pumproom inspection for tankers
Treatment for waste oil or oily bilges
Oil pollution prevention method
General precautions for tankers
Tanker equipment and machinery
General guidance for oil tankers
Crude oil washing for tankers

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