BUNKERING

Describe the correct procedure adopted in taking bunkers. State clearly the
sequence of events. What are the duties of personnel involved in bunkering?
What precautions are before starting to take bunkers?
Present the results of any tests taken at the time of bunker or from analysis made by
a laboratory ashore, together with your own interpretation of results.

Bunkering is an operation of taking fuel oil or lube oil on board, known as bunkers.

To ensure a safe and pollution free bunkering, correct procedures should be adopted
which shall be explained in the forthcoming comprehension.

Overall bunkering operation consists of three phases:-

a. Pre-bunkering planning and check-ups.
b. Bunkering and topping-up operation.
c. Post-bunkering check-ups.

PRE-BUNKERING PLANNING

Within 48 hours prior to schedule bunkering oil transfer following check-ups are made:-
1. Pre-loading plan A pre-loading plan is developed by the Chief Engineer along
with the assistance of other engineers. This plan specifies in which tanks oil is to
be taken and in what quantity. Appropriate tank to tank internal transfers are made
to prepare the tanks for taking bunkers. Proper entries for these transfers are made
in the oil record book by the C/E.
2. Pre-bunkering meeting A pre-bunkering meeting is held in which:
all crew is warned about the oil spill penalties.
procedure for oil transfer is explained.
individual responsibilities allocated.
methods of communication established.
emergency shut down procedures explained.
all crew familiarized with bunkering pipelines, location of valves, air vents,
sounding pipes etc.
location and use of oil spill equipments told.
3. This is to be made sure that the bunkering team is adequately rested and rest hours
recorded.
4. Bunker tanks high level and high high level alarms & trips are tested.
5. Drawings of fuel piping system, location of important valves and pumps, ESD
location are clearly marked and relevant prints displayed conspicuously.
PRE-BUNKERING CHECK-UPS

Once the bunker vessel has arrived the following check-ups are carried out:
1. Bunker barge is secured safely and adequately fendered.
2. A declaration of inspection is made which includes the name of the receiving
vessel & the delivering vessel and the date & time of commencement of bunkers.
This is later signed by the person in charge of bunkering of both vessels.
3. Bunker manifold is well lit and access from/to bunker barge is safe and
adequately lighted.
4. A pre-bunkering conference is held with the person in charge of the delivery
vessel or facility where in all important factors influencing a safe and trouble-free
bunkering are agreed upon.
5. Prior removal of manifold blanks it is ensured that the relevant valves are shut.
Sampling equipments are fitted.
6. Sounding / meter readings of suppliers tanks are taken by a ships person.
7. It is ensured that the hose length for connecting manifolds on both ships is
sufficient and the couplings are intact.
8. The hose is well supported and it is made sure that the weight of the hose does not
exceed the SWL of the ships crane (if used).
9. B flag is raised and red light is lit on the mast.
10. The manifold valves are then opened and it is confirmed from the MIMIC
diagram that the line are correctly set.
11. Duty officer to confirm that the scuppers are blocked and save-alls empty &
plugged.
12. Ensured opposite manifold fully bolted.
13. Spill equipment and F.F.A kept ready.
14. Strength calculations are ascertained before, during and finish of bunkering.
15. Air pump kept ready for use in case of overflow.
16. Checked that all bunker tanks air pipes are open and unblocked.
17. Drip trays placed under hose couplings and flanges as required.
18. Barge and Duty Officer informed for the readiness of commencement of
bunkering.
19. Time of commencement of bunkering noted.
20. All bunker tanks HALs rechecked.

BUNKERING OPERATION AND TOPPING-UP CHECK-UPS

1. Commence the bunkering at minimum pumping rate.

2. Supply line pressure to be constantly monitored.
3. Check for any leakages through hose, flanges, filters etc.
4. This is to be ensured that the oil is going to the required tank only and not in any
other tank. To conform this check sounding of the tanks not being bunkered.
Attain a steady flow rate only after this.
5. Start drip sampling at manifold.
 6. Take soundings and ullages of the tanks frequently and compare them with the
previous ones.
7. Loading rate should be maintained at an optimum level so that the whole
bunkering operation is under control.
8. Overflow tank may be kept ready for use in case of emergency.
9. The levels in the tanks to be staggered so that at a time only one tank gets topped
up.
10. Special care must be taken in critical operation of topping-up. Check
communication with barge at this time to avoid any ambiguity.
11. Persons involved in the bunkering must totally focus upon it. No other work
should be carried out or assigned at this time.
12. The bunker barge and the deck watch must be informed before topping-up or
changing tanks.
13. Reduce pumping rate and/or open next tank before topping-up. Final topping-up
to be done by sounding tape.
14. Close valves as each tank is completed and note the time.
15. Mooring to be constantly monitored to prevent relative shifting of the vessels or
vessel and the jetty.
16. Ensure there is sufficient ullage in the tank for line blowing.
17. Record time of completion and close all filling valves after air blow.

In case of any oil spill the observing person should immediately inform to C/E
or Master.

POST-BUNKERING CHECK-UPS

1. Bunkering stopping to be noted.

2. Ensure all hoses are fully drained.
3. Close and blank all manifold connections.
4. Blank off disconnected hose couplings.
5. Sound all tanks and calculate oil received taking list, trim and temperature in
consideration.
6. Cross check soundings and temperature of the supply barge to reconfirm quantity
received.
7. Check tanks for water content.
8. Verify all bunker receipts are correct. In case of an dispute regarding the quality
or quantity of the bunker received, issue a letter of protest immediately and
inform all parties.
9. Witness, date jointly countersign and retain sealed bunker samples. Hand over
jointly signed samples to the suppliers.
10. Let down B flag and red mast light.
11. Restore scuppers on deck to open condition.
12. Check all sounding pipes caps in place and screwed down tightly.
13. All valves on bunker line back to normal.
14. Stow all equipments used for operation.
 15. Collect samples and keep in a safe place.
16. Upgrade Oil Record Book.
17. Land samples for analysis if required.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS INVOLVED IN BUNKERING OPERATION

1. Person over-all in charge of bunkering Chief Engineer.

2. Person appointed to be present at bunker manifold 2/E or 3/E or G/E.
3. Person appointed for deck rover watch Oiler or Fitter or AB or OS.
4. Persons responsible for tending to moorings C/O or Duty Officer or Duty AB

Specifications of duties

1. Chief Engineer
a. He shall be the person in charge of the over-all bunkering operation.
b. He shall plan the entire operation and ensure it is properly executed.
c. He shall issue orders to others to ensure operation is carried out orderly.
d. He shall issue orders that no tanks or sounding pipes should be open without his
knowledge.

2. Person at bunker manifold

a. He shall not leave the bunker station unless properly relieved.
b. He shall fully understand the ESD and Oil Spill procedures.

3. Duties of deck rover watch

His primary duty is to monitor for oil spills on deck and over side. He should visually
monitor the deck and water near and opposite all bunker tanks and each tanks
sounding pipe and vents. He shall remain vigilant and alert especially at the time of
tank changing over and topping-up.

CHECKED BY

SIGN :- ___________

RANK :- __________