a) Control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk: Annex II of the MARPOL provides for the control of operational discharge of noxious liquid substances carried in bulk by ships. When company vessels carry noxious liquid substances in bulk, the requirements of Annex II shall be complied with. Similarly, when company vessels carry harmful substances in packaged form, the requirements of Annex III of MARPOL shall be complied with.
b) MSDS sheets must be kept on board for all the chemicals stored on board. Precautions with respect to PPE and handling must be strictly complied with.
c) Maker instructions for handling chemicals to be complied with. Appropriate PPE for the job to be worn as per SM1.1.
d) When handling refrigerants, precautions to be observed for excess pressure. PPE for the job to be worn and care to be taken against frostbite.
e) All used chemicals requiring disposal shall be incinerated through the vessel's waste oil management system unless prohibited.
f) Company-managed vessels will continue their efforts to purchase and use standard chemicals from internationally accepted makers.
a) The formation of emulsions in the bilge holding tank is one of the main causes of bilge water separator/monitor failure.
b) Emulsions are primarily caused by contamination from cleaning agents such as detergents and hand cleaners such as washing powder, purifier chemicals, and Teepol. The implementation of these guidelines will help reduce the likelihood of emulsions forming in the bilge holding tank and increase the efficiency of the bilge water separator.
c) Conventional detergents such as washing powder, Teepol, and Swarfega, if used in the engine room, should not be disposed of in the machinery space bilges. The practice of draining wastewater from Engine Room sinks to the bilge tank can quickly allow contamination of the bilge tank. Such wastewater drains should, wherever practicable, be led to the BSOT (bilge separated oil tank), DOT (dirty oil tank), or sludge tank. The water content of which can be evaporated in the waste oil tank later.
d) All engineers should be aware of the limitations inherent in the design of the bilge water separator in the separation of oily water mixtures. Regular cleaning of the bilge holding tank should be undertaken during the dry-dock period to minimize the accumulation of sludge/residues/oil within the tank.