Chemical tankers operational matters, safety precautions & emergency preparedness
Chemical tankers are required to transport a wide range of different cargoes, and many tankers are designed to carry a large number of
segregated products simultaneously. The operation of chemical tankers differs from any other bulk liquid transportation operations, in
that on a single voyage a large number of cargoes with different properties, characteristics and inherent hazards may be carried.
Below is our guideline for safe operation onboard seagoing chemical tankers
Below is our guideline for safe operation onboard seagoing chemical tankers
Emergency towing-off wires ( fire wires)
The ship should provide towing-off wires, ready for immediate use without adjustment, in case the ship needs to be moved in the event of fire or other emergency.
In most ports, emergency towing-off wires are mandatory when at a berth. Wires should be positioned fore and aft on the offshore side of the ship. They should be in good condition, of adequate strength, and properly secured to the bitts such that full towing loads can be applied. The eyes should be maintained at or about the waterline in a position that tugs can easily reach.
Sufficient slack to allow the tugs to tow effectively should be retained between the bitts and the fairlead, but prevented from running out by a rope yarn or other easily broken means. There are various methods currently in use for rigging emergency towing-off wires, and the arrangement may vary from port to port. A terminal which requires a particular method to be used should advise the ship accordingly.
Ship’s readiness to move
At all times during discharge, loading and ballasting operations, alongside berth or at anchorage, the ship should be ready for departure at short notice in the event of an emergency. The ship’s boilers, main engine, steering gear, mooring equipment and other essential equipment should be kept ready to permit the ship to move from the berth or anchorage at short notice in accordance with terminal and port regulations.
Repairs and other work that may immobilise the ship should not be undertaken at a berth without the prior written agreement of the terminal. It may also be necessary to obtain permission from the local port authority before carrying out such work.
Means of access (gangways or accommodation ladders)
Personnel should only use the designated means of access between ship and shore, or between ships. When a ship is berthed, at anchor or alongside another ship, the means of access should be close to the living accommodation, placed conveniently for supervision, and if possible away from the cargo manifold area. Gangways or other means of access should be properly secured and provided with an effective safety net. Suitable lifesaving equipment such as a lifebuoy should be available near the access point.
During darkness the means of access and the surrounding areas should be adequately illuminated.
Persons who have no legitimate business on board, or who do not possess the master's permission to be there, should be refused access. A crew list should be provided to the terminal security personnel who, in agreement with the master, should restrict access to the jetty or berth to people who can demonstrate legitimate business with the ship.
Personnel on watch on a chemical carrier must ensure that no one who is smoking approaches or boards the ship. Smoking on board must only take place in designated smoking areas. The company policy on drugs and alcohol must be strictly enforced.
Permanent notices should be displayed in conspicuous places on board, indicating where smoking and use of naked lights are prohibited, and where ventilation is necessary prior to entry.
On arrival at a terminal, a chemical tanker should display temporary notices at points of access to the ship, in English and other appropriate languages, to indicate the following:
WARNING
NO NAKED LIGHTS
NO SMOKING
NO UNAUTHORISED PERSONS
In addition, when the chemicals being handled present a health hazard, further notices in appropriate languages should be prominently displayed stating:
WARNING:
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Local national or port regulations may require additional notices, and such requirements should be observed.
Fig:Chemical tanker general safety precautions at berth
Deckhouses and superstructures safety precautions
Regulations require that windows and portholes in the superstructure within a certain distance of the cargo area must not open, and that openings are positioned to minimise the possibility of vapour entry. These design features must not be modified in any way.
All doors (except when being used for access), portholes and other openings should be kept closed during cargo operations. Accommodation doors that have to be kept permanently closed when in port should be marked, but they should not be locked.
Non-essential mechanical ventilation of internal compartments should be stopped, and air conditioning units operated on closed cycle or stopped if there is any possibility of toxic or flammable vapours being drawn into the accommodation
Wind conditions
Most chemical vapours are heavier than air and vapours that may be released during loading, gas-freeing or accidental spills will sink and may concentrate on lower deck areas, especially in conditions of little or no wind. Strong winds may create vapour pockets on the lee side of deckhouses or other structures.
Electrical Storms
During electrical storms in the immediate vicinity of the ship, all cargo operations, gas-freeing and tank cleaning that involve flammable cargoes must be stopped.
Cold weather
During freezing weather conditions precautions must be taken to prevent equipment and systems from freezing. Such equipment and systems include pneumatic valves and control system, fire lines and hydrants, steam driven equipment, cargo heating systems, pressure/vacuum valves, etc.
Special attention must be paid to emergency showers and eye-wash stations. A Risk Assessment should be conducted when it becomes known that the vessel is required to operate in freezing conditions. ICE accretion on deck may affect Stability of the vessel
Related info:
Restriction on using ships communication equipments and other small radio items in cargo area
Effects of Tugs and other craft alongside chemical tankers
Preparations for hot work and safety precautions
Assessing wind & weather conditions
Various chemical cargo handling equipments onboard
Checklist for handling dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk
How to determine the level of a liquid in a chemical tank
Following detail pages explain all liquid chemical hazards & precautionary measures while carrying at sea.
- Toxicology and associated hazards onboard chemical tankers
- Hazards of vapour given off by a flammable liquid while carrying at sea
- Reactivity of various noxious liquid chemicals
- Most corrosive chemicals carried onboard chemical tankers
- Posoning hazards & first aid treatment
- What is putrefaction process of liquid chemicals ?
- Specific gravity,Vapour pressure and boiling point,Electrostatic charging & measuring Viscosity
- General precautions onboard chemical tankers
- Mooring precautions onboard chemical tankers
- Berth precautions onboard chemical tankers
- Cold weather countermeasures, avoiding electric storms
- Restriction on using radio equipments and other mobile devices in cargo working areas
- Handling precautions for carcinogens or cyanide-like substances
- Handling precautions for Benzene & Methanol
- Securing cargo tank lids and required safety precautions
- Means of access (gangways or accommodation ladders) safety precautions
- Preparations for hot work and safety precautions
- Safe method of gas freeing after a tank cleaning onboard chemical tankers
- Precautions against static electricity
- Handling precautions for nitrogen from shore station
- Cargo tank entry safety precautions
- Ship to ship transfer safety precautions
- How to deal with chemical fire onboard ?
Following reference publications provide useful guidance and international regulations for carrying hazardous chemicals at sea.
- SOLAS (latest consolidated edition)
- MARPOL – 73/78 (latest consolidated edition)
- BCH / IBC Code
- International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)
- Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
- Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
- Safety in Oil Tankers
- Safety in Chemical Tankers
- IMDG Code
- Supplement to IMDG Code (Including MFAG and Ems)
- SOPEP
- Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers
- FOSFA (for Oils, Seeds and Fats)
- Prevention of Oil Spillage through Cargo Pumproom Sea Valves
- CHRIS Guide (USCG)
- Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water (Condensed Chris)
- MSDS for particular cargo carried
- Chemical Tank Cleaning Guide
Main Info pages!
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