Scupper Plug

Scupper plugs are inserted during bunkering and

some cargo operations. When removed, any water
on deck can drain away - including any oily water.
Oily water can easily be present on deck when, for
example, plugs are removed from savealls during
bunkering operations to drain rain water, in the
event that it rains during bunker operations, or when
loading/discharging dirty dry bulk cargoes.
The crew on one ship entered in the Association
have devised and built a filter for fitting over each
scupper. When the scupper plugs are removed, water
can drain away from the decks only after passing
through the filter.

Guideline for ship - Attention to

Bunkering Operation
Caution to be given to Bunkering operation

-The Chief Engineer shall check the refueling work with the
Bunkering Check List and endeavor to prevent marine
pollution.
Cargo information:Should be oDesignation of personnel to
engage in FO transfer workbtained from supplier
-The Chief Engineer shall decide a personnel positioning suitable
to the actual condition of the vessel referring to the attached
the Designation of PIC of Oil oil transfer operation , and draw
up the List of Personnel to Engage in FO Transfer Operation.
During the Bunkering operation, the Chief Engineer, the
engineer in charge, the member in charge of watching the
hose connection and the sea surface shall not hold other jobs
(for example, maintenance work) concurrently

Preparation of piping diagram

-The Chief Engineer shall prepare a piping diagram of the FO

transfer equipment suitable to the vessels equipment according
to sub-item (2) of the Fuel oil Transfer Procedures.
Inspection and maintenance of refueling equipment
The Chief Engineer shall inspect and service positively the refueling
equipment, utilizing the PMS, and carry out the inspection before entering
a port in accordance with the Bunkering Checklist
(a) Deck scupper:
While Bunkering, the deck scuppers shall be closed with a expandable
rubber plug, and if the use of a expandable rubber plug is improper, a
wooden plug shall be put, which shall be cemented up with suitable putty.
Note: The opinion of the USCG is, From a viewpoint of prevention of
marine pollution, an expandable rubber plug, screw type plug or a
mechanical closing device should be used to all scuppers on the upper
deck.
pressure

 b) Procedures for pressure test of refueling line

(i ) Pressure range
From the valve on the on-deck riser for each FO tank to the shore connection.
(ii ) Test pressure
b) Procedures for pressure test of refueling line

(i ) Pressure range
From the valve on the on-deck riser for each FO tank to the shore connection.
(ii ) Test pressure
The U.S. CFR require that it is confirmed that a static liquid pressure at least

1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure does not cause any
leakage. Valves used for refueling lines are usually of 5 kg/cm2 from which a
test under 7.5 kg/cm2 is assumed, but a test pressure of 4.5 to 5.0 kg/cm2 is
enough because the maximum actual working pressure on board the vessel is
3 kg/cm2 or so.
(iii) Test method
The test shall be a pressure test by general purpose air of the vessel. The line
shall be checked for leakage by visual inspection after applying soap liquid
and check of pressure drop after shutdown of air supply.

 The test shall be a pressure test by general purpose air of the

vessel. The line shall be checked for leakage by visual inspection

after applying soap liquid and check of pressure drop after
shutdown of air supply.
The U.S. CFR require that it is confirmed that a static liquid

pressure at least 1.5 times the maximum allowable working

pressure does not cause any leakage. Valves used for refueling
lines are usually of 5 kg/cm2 from which a test under 7.5 kg/cm2 is
assumed, but a test pressure of 4.5 to 5.0 kg/cm2 is enough
because the maximum actual working pressure on board the vessel
is 3 kg/cm2 or so.
(iii) Test method
The test shall be a pressure test by general purpose air of the
vessel. The line shall be checked for leakage by visual inspection
after applying soap liquid and check of pressure drop after
shutdown of air supply.

Preparation of check list for open

closed condition of Fueling related
valves
The Chief Engineer shall prepare a check list

which employs the vessels valve names (it is

desirable to mention both the name and valve
No.) to check open / closed condition of valves
related to refueling work (including valves to
separated the refueling line from the other
lines), and shall endeavor to confirm open /
closed condition of valves at the beginning of
refueling and change over of tanks, and the
restored condition of the refueling line at the
completion of the refueling, to prevent a
wrong valve operation.

Bunkering under rainy weather

When the Bunkering operation is carried out

under rainy weather, the Chief Engineer shall

enhance monitoring capability as required for
prevention of marine pollution including an
increase in number of watchmen on the deck.
Water puddles on the deck shall be discharged
through a scupper after it has been confirmed
that no oil floats on the puddles. It shall be
positively confirmed that the scupper has
been closed after the discharge without fail.

Bunkering at night
When the Bunkering operation is not completed in the daytime, the

Chief Engineer shall secure the enough deck lighting to illuminate the
following places:
Hose connection areas (on the vessel and on the barge)
FO Transfer areas on the barge.
FO Transfer areas on the vessel.
Note: Enough illumination required by the USCG is shown below:
5.0 ft. cd for hose connection area.
1.0 ft. cd for FO transfer work area

Emergency
Should any abnormality is felt or reported, the

Chief Engineer shall stop the oil transferring

immediately, investigate the possible causes,
and shall not restart the oil transferring until
the causes have been removed completely.
Should any oil leakage is discovered or
reported, the Chief Engineer shall take
necessary measures for ''Oil Pollution
Accident''

Measuring operation of
Hydrogen Sulfide
Immediately after commencement of bunkering operation, the

engineer in charge shall measure the H2S gas concentration through

the air vent of Fuel Tank, under supervision of the Chief Engineer. In
case the H2S gas density is higher than 10ppm, following measures
have to be taken:
The personnel in charge of bunker operation at site shall put proper
PPE (a gas mask)
The openings to the accommodation area near fuel tank air vent shall
be closed completely
To keep persons away from FO Air Vent, other than the persons in
charge
Until completion of bunkering, the gas concentration measuring shall
be carried out at regular interval (at least once in an hour).

PREPARATION OF BUNKERING
PLAN
1.Has the vessel have adequate space for the volume of the bunker to be bunkered? (it

should be met with below safety margin)

90% under for each deep Tanks,
85% under for each double bottom tanks of FO tank capacity,
80% under of the final loading tank for double bottom tank as far as possible.
2. Has the order of tanks to be loaded been decided to make the heel and trim of the
vessel during bunkering minimal?
3. Have the personnel positioning and work demarcation been clarified and entered in
the list of personnel to engage in the FO/LO transfer work, and put up near the bunker
station?
4. Has the Masters signature been obtained in above list?
5.Are FO/LO transfer work procedures and piping diagrams put up in the bunker station?
6.Have an onboard meeting on personnel positioning and work proceeding been held to
have crew well know matters that required attention?

PREPARATION FOR BUNKERING

(PRIOR ARRIVAL BUNKERING PORT)

1.Are

Valves and pipe lines marked for easy identification?

2.Are valve markings correct? (Have round covers on the floor plates in the machinery
space been also confirmed?)
3.Are all deck scuppers effectively plugged? (Are wooden plugs, if any then cemented up?)
4.Has it been confirmed that no deficit, crack, corrosion, and the like exist on the pipe line
to be used?
5.Have a leak test to the pipe line by an air pressure of 5 kg/cm2 or under been carried
out? (To be entered the date of last testing in remark column )
6.Have operation of remote valves and level gauges used in bunkering been confirmed?
And also accuracy of remote gauging system verified?(if fitted)
5.Is bilge line valves fully closed and secured?
6.Are all the pressure gauges to be used working satisfactorily?
7.Are all thermometers fitted in manifold working satisfactorily?
8.Alarm setting on overfill alarm accurate & operational?(if fitted)

CONFIRMATION AT BEGINNING
OF BUNKERING
Has bunker requisition form given by supplier had all information? (Specific gravity, Sulfur Content,

Viscosity, Grade and Quantity etc.)

Has the commence of the bunkering been notified to the watch keeping personnel in Deck department and
announced on board?
Is there any leakage from the hose connection?
Is there any leakage from the bunkering-related line and valves?
Has oil flow through the planned line been confirmed by listening to with the ear on the pipe?
Is oil flowing into the prescribed tank? (Confirm the inflow by air blow, inflow noise, level change, and so
on).
Check the respective tank sounding manually and confirm.
Has air blow through an air vent for the tank into which oil is to be supplied been confirmed?
Is not there any change in level in the other tanks?
Is continuous measurement kept until the inflow to the prescribed tank and the inflow rate are confirmed?
Is oil supply rate proper?
Has the time when the bunkering started been recorded?

Is not there any change in level in the other tanks?

Is continuous measurement kept until the inflow to the prescribed tank and
the inflow rate are confirmed?
Is oil supply rate proper?
Has the time when the bunkering started been recorded?
Has air blow through an air vent for the tank into which oil is to be supplied been

confirmed?
Is not there any change in level in the other tanks?
Is continuous measurement kept until the inflow to the prescribed tank and the
inflow rate are confirmed?
Is oil supply rate proper?
Has the time when the bunkering started been recorded?
Is continuous measurement kept until the inflow to the prescribed tank and the

inflow rate are confirmed?

Is oil supply rate proper?
Has the time when the bunkering started been recorded

CONFIRMATION AT TANK
CHANGEOVER
1. When valves were changed over, has it

been confirmed not only by the indication on

the remote control board but also on the spot
(if possible)?
2. Has oil inflow to the planned tanks been
confirmed?
3.Has air blow from air pipes been confirmed?
4.Is not there any change in level in the other
tanks?

CONFIRMATION PRIOR COMMENCMENT &

DURING BUNKERING
1. Are portable fire hoses & fire-fighting equipment on

Barge/Facility and ship are ready for immediate use.

2.Are materials for containment and oil spill clean-up
arrangement readily available for immediate use?
(saw dust, oil absorbent, and oil-treating agent)
3.Are the valves for the manifolds not in use (of the other side
in particular) fully closed, and manifolds properly blanked?
4. Are all the air vents of all tanks to be bunkered in good
working condition and free from any restriction?
5.Are drain plugs set to save all trays securely?
'Do not Use posted?'

6.Is there any sharp bend of the hose? Is weight of hose

adequately supported so that hose weight should not come

on hose itself?
7.Is the transfer hose properly rigged and fully bolted with all
bolts of correct size and length?
8. Is electric power supply to the FO/LO/DO pumps shut, and
is an indication On Bunkering. 'Do not Use posted?'
9.Have open/close position of valves been confirmed
according to the check list (prepared by the vessel)? Has
closure of all valves isolated from the bunkering been
confirmed?
10.Overboard valves connected to engine room bilges and
bunker lines are closed and sealed?
11.Are necessary signal flags and lights indicated?

12. Is the lighting equipment for night work proper?

13. Has the Supply Barge/Facility have adequate volume of oil to be supplied?
(Confirm by Barge/Facilitys Tanks Sounding)
14. Are oil fences extended? (If it is required).
15.Are all personnel for the work in their positions?
16. Has it been confirmed by a communication test that the communication means
is properly secured?
17. Are communication means with each part of
secured?
18.Has a communication test been made between the bunker station and the hose
connection monitor?
19.Is the sampling container fitted at point of transfer of Custody (Ships Manifold)?
Is the sampling container sealed properly and have adequate space to collect
required amount of sample?
20. All cargo and bunker tank hatch lids are closed?

21. Has MSDS for the bunker to be transferred been exchanged when requested?

22. The Hazards associated with Toxic substances in the bunkers being handled have
been identified and understood? H2S contents:____ Benzene Contents: ____
23. Are safe means of access provided between ship and Supply Barge or Facility?
24. Are all external doors and port holes in accommodation are closed?
25. Is smoking area identified & restrictions are observed?
26. Are all scupper plugs in place? Temporarily removed scuppers plugs will be
monitored at all times?
27. Drip trays are in positing on decks around connection and bunker tank vents? Are
all the save all trays around the air vents clean and free from oil?
Cf) Air vent openings should be provided with an oil pan, which depth is 18 or more,
capacity: 5 U.S. gallon (about 19 L)or more, if a fixed pan is not fitted.
28.Is the barge/ship properly moored and secured?
29.Is a means of communication have established between the responsible officers on
the vessel and the barge/Facility via VHF/UHF CH. Primary:______Back up:______?
Emergency stop signal: established between both parties
30. Is there any floating oil on the surface of the sea near the vessel?

31. Are sea and weather conditions suitable for the

bunkering work?
32. All bunker tanks sounding to be checked
manually and recorded @ an interval of not
exceeding 30 mins
33. There is an effective watch on board the barge
and on the ship receiving bunkers? (a man should
be always placed at manifold)
34. Naked light regulations are being observed?