Non-return valves in bilges

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Published 14 October 2016 Print Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Mail this
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Member Advisory

Water damage to cargo due to malfunctioning non-return valves of vessel bilge systems happens on a regular
basis. In a recent case on a vessel covered by Skuld, the total cargo of 2,600 MT of fertilizer in one of the holds
was completely wetted by sea water due to a combination of human error and technical problems with a non-
return valve.

Non-return valves have a very simple design and is self-opening / closing depending on which side the pressure
is applied, i.e. if water is sucked out the valve will be pressed up by the water and once the suction stops the
valve will immediately drop into its place closing any flow into the bilge.

However, in the event the valve is pressed open and

remains stuck due to e.g. dirt, then the non-return valve will
remain in open position and once the suction stops, the
water remaining in the pipe will be allowed to flow back into
the hold bilge.

In the Nautical Institute text book entitled "Bulk Carrier

Practice" (2nd edition 2010) Captain Jack Isbester explains
at page 323:

"The non-return valves in the bilge pumping system are fitted

to ensure that water can be pumped from the hold bilge
wells to the engine room and over side or into a holding tank
for measurement. Their second purpose is to ensure that
water cannot travel in the opposite direction, into the hold
bilge wells. The system must be tested each voyage to
ensure that water can be pumped from the bilge wells, but
cannot be pumped into the bilge wells. In addition, the non-
return valves must be dismantled, inspected, fitted with
replacements for worn or damaged parts and reassembled
at regular intervals preferably of 6-12 months or as required
by the planned maintenance system."

In our particular case the hold bilge non-return valve was

found to be stuck to its cover and thus no longer being allowed to drop on its seat to prevent water flowing into
the bilge. From interviewing the vessel's crew, we understood that regular inspection of the non-return valve had
not been carried out thereby not enabling them to detect any malfunction / "mechanical" failure.

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Furthermore, various valves need to be opened manually and hydraulically in order to allow the water to reach
up all the way to the improperly functioning non-return valves. The unintentional leaving open / improper closing
of the manually and hydraulically operated valves allowed sea water to get into the hold trough the
malfunctioning non-return valve. As result a few days later the cargo in the hold was completely covered with
water.

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Although a non-return valve has none to limited (depending on type) mechanically operating parts, it is advisable
to carry out regular inspection / checking of the non-return valve for proper functioning, i.e. whether it is properly
sealing off.

Members are advised to ensure that a proper check-list has been developed and implemented in the vessel's
Safety Management System and that same provide for a regular inspection on non-return valves..

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