Page 377 - Introduction to Marine Engineering

Watchkeeping and equipment operation 347

may well be delayed or even arrested if this job is not properly carried
out.
Bynkering is traditionally the fourth engineer's job. He will usually be
assisted by at least one other engineer and one or more ratings. Most
ships will have a set procedure which is to be followed or some form of
general instructions which might include:
1. AH scuppers are to be sealed off, i.e. plugged, to prevent any minor
oil spill on deck going overboard.
2. All tank air vent containments or drip trays are to be sealed or
plugged.
3. Sawdust should be available at the bunkering station and various
positions around the deck.
4. All fuel tank valves should be carefully checked before bunkering
commences. The personnel involved should be quite familiar with
the piping systems, tank valves, spill tanks and all tank-sounding
equipment.
5. All valves on tanks which are not to be used should be closed or
switched to the 'off position and effectively safeguarded against
opening or operation.
6. Any manual valves in the filling lines should be proved to be open
for the flow of liquid.
7. Proven, reliable tank-sounding equipment must be used to regularly
check the contents of each tank. It may even be necessary to 'dip' or
manually sound tanks to be certain of their contents.
8. A complete set of all tank soundings must be obtained before
bunkering commences.
9. A suitable means of communication must be set up between the ship
and the bunkering installation before bunkering commences.
10. On-board communication between involved personnel should be by
hand radio sets or some other satisfactory means.
11. Any tank that is filling should be identified in some way on the level
indicator, possibly by a sign or marker reading 'FILLING'.
12. In the event of a spill, the Port Authorities should be informed as
soon as possible to enable appropriate cleaning measures to be
taken.

Periodic safety routines

In addition to watchkeeping and maintenance duties, various safety and
emergency equipment must be periodically checked. As an example, the
following inspections should take place at least weekly: