Guidelines for Bunker Supervisions

1.0 Preliminary steps:

You as the bunker surveyor must obtain the following items and information:

Name of Vessel ETA of Vessel Location of vessel Date, quantity and grade/s required for bunkering Bunker suppliers contact number Barge contact number Appointed agent contact number and the person in charge Operational instructions (Including Client`s Standard Instructions if available and

reference to be made to International Bunker Desk attachment). Means of SAFE embarkation to/from barge/receiving vessel Respective forms and necessary documents required for bunkering, sample

bottles, seals, sealing cord, sampling equipment and sample labels Water and oil finding paste Calibrated gauging tape and mercury in-glass thermometer, preferably a PET if

available.

PPE: Safety helmet, overalls, gloves, ear-protection, goggles, PFD (life-jacket) and Safety shoes (anoraks could be needed).

2.0 Survey Procedures prior to bunkering operation:

2.01: You are expected to attend to the receiving vessel on an adequate time so as to perform the pre-bunkering inspection before the bunker barge is alongside. Observe the ships draft physically and the vessels list from her inclinometer situated in the cargo control room or bridge. If you are to attend the bunker operation off-shore, be present on the transporting vessel (designated bunker barge/service launch) at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure time. You are obliged to respect time of appointments coordinated by respective Saybolt scheduler or agent in charge of the bunkering job. If you are to board a service boat to transport you to the bunkering area, you have to wear a life-jacket (PFD).

2.02: LMRA (Last Minute Risk Assessment) to be performed prior embarkation of any vessel whether being by means of pilot ladder, gangway or safety basket.

Embarkation of service boat to vessel

2.03: Introduce yourself to the Chief engineer or the responsible officer in-charge and explain the survey procedures and whom you are representing.

2.04 Find a suitable work station or office and deposit your equipment such as gauging devices, lap-top, bag, equipment etc.

2.05: A brief key meeting with the C/E should be performed where below mentioned topics should be agreed upon:

* Name of bunker barge and time of arrival

* Grade/s & requested quantities (make sure they confirm with instructions given by the Saybolt inspection coordinator in charge. Inform coordinator of any differences.

* Confirm which grade is to be received first if more than one

* Sampling locations, procedures and distribution

* Maximum pressure at bunker manifold and allowed pumping rate

* Check calibration tables and record on your note-book every bunker tankwith the corresponding maximum gauge height of each tank. Also take note of calibration date

* Confirm which designated bunker tanks are meant to receive the bunker grades

* Survey procedures whether being using Manual or Automatic gauges

3.0 The Bunker Survey prior bunkering operations:

3.1 If Automatic gauges are used, note down the tank levels or gauge heights and check them with the ships calibration tables. Manual gauges are always preferred from automatic gauges especially if discrepancies are noted. If manual gauges cannot be physically taken then a Statement of Fact should be issued.

In most cases, bunkers are normally received into empty tanks. Never trust the readings indicating an O.B.Q. in declared empty tanks. Always confirm the quantity of oil in bunker tank prior to bunkering by dipping the tank from the respective sounding pipe.

3.2 The opening sounding of the nominated and non-nominated bunker tanks, which includes Settling, Service, Overflow tanks and tank space related to the bunkers receiving system should be sounded in the presence of the chief engineer or the responsible engineer in charge.

3.2 Manual measurements are to be taken using own calibrated tape and bob. At least three measurements of sounding or ullage should be taken. If gauges vary by more than 0.5 cm, subsequent measurement should be taken and obtain an averageagreeable with C/E or appointed engineer.

3.3 Ear protection should be used prior entering the engine room

3.4 Water paste must be used to detect free water in both the nominated and non-nominated tanks. If you are not using your own paste, make sure it works properly by testing it with water prior use.

Sounding pipes

3.5 To determine the nominated tanks temperatures, a cup-case or electronic thermometers (PET) can be used. If there is less than 3 metres innage of cargo, the thermometer must be immersed at mid-level of the sounded height of the tank. A minimum of 3-level temperatures are to be taken if there are more. If a cup-case assembly is used, the minimum length of time the thermometer should immersed for a minimum of 20 minutes if the grade is of a density of higher than 0.9000 kg/l. If a PET is used, the probe has to be moved up and down until the temperature stabilized. Reference can be made to PMM PartXVI S1 (HM28).

Checking temperature with PET Engine control room

3.6 If the vessel will receive bunkers into a forward tank, calculate the volume and confirm it with C/E as this volume contributes to a quantity difference.

3.5 Calculate the bunker quantities using the bunker tank strapping tables and densities as per information received from chief engineer. Confirm all pre-bunker delivery quantified figures with Chief engineer.

3.6 Keep a track of all relevant times and report them in your time-log.

4.0 The Bunker Barge prior bunkering operations:

4.1 Upon arrival of the bunker barge, the draft of the barge should be noted physically.

4.2 LMRA (Last Minute Risk Assessment) before embarkation of the bunker barge is to be performed. DO NOT TAKE ANY RISKS. Call immediately your office coordinator if safe embarkation is not possible.

4.3 Invite Chief engineer to witness bunker barge inspection and quantification.

4.4 Introduce yourself to barge chief officer and discuss methods of sampling and gauging, bunker grade/s, sequences, quantities, nominated cargo tanks for discharging, sequence, required receiving vessel max rate/pressure and typed of hoses to be used for delivery.

4.5 Ensure that no cargo tank transfers are in progress. If any, ask to be ceased.

4.6 Obtain bunker barge calibration tables, and record names of all the bunker and tanks on board. Record the calibration date and who issued these calibration tables

4.7 All cargo tanks, including the barge bunker tanks, ballast tanks and void spaces should be inspected in the presence of the engine officer or C/E and the bunker barge officer

4.8 Manual measurements are to be taken using own calibrated tape and bob. At least three measurements of sounding or ullage should be taken. If gauges vary by more than 0.5 cm, subsequent measurement should be taken and obtain an average agreeable with the barge chief officer and C/E. If gauging with own equipment is not possible verify barge equipment for discrepancies and issue relevant Statement of Fact.

4.9 Check for free water using a proper water finding paste, and record the finding.

4.10 As soon as all the measurements have been completed, read and record the draft forward and aft and check the list condition by the barge inclinometer. Confirm the draft readings checked prior boarding the barge.

4.11 Obtain density of bunker grade/s, calculate the quantities and confirm discharge plan with barge chief officer.

4.12 Make sure all parties sign the bunker barge pre-delivery ullage report.

4.13 Draw representative samples of individual bunker barge cargo tanks prior delivery. If Marine Gasoil is sampled, check for visual appearance and sediments. If abnormalities are noted, inform your supervisor or inspection coordinator in charge.

4.14 Ask to the vessel's C/E if the vessel is ready to commence bunkering operation, wait for the green light and inform bunker barge C/O accordingly.

4.15 Flow meters are not acceptable to quantify bunkered amounts.

5.0 Procedures during bunkering:

5.1 Update your time log and note down any delays incurred. Inform client or coordinator about time of bunker commencement and estimated completion time.

5.2 Continuous drip line sampling should be taken if fitted at vessels bunker manifold, always if available. The correlation of the sampling equipment should be in accordance with ISO 3170 as shown on the pictures below. The drip-line sampler should be equipped with an appropriate stainless steel valve-locks, needle valves, spectacle flange and disposable plastic cubitainers which are normally of 5 litre capacity. If always possible, make sure the connections are clean and dry before being assembled to the bunker manifold.

5.3 Invite the bunker barge representative or chief engineer to witness the drip-line sampling. If he refuses, issue a Statement of Fact to be signed by both parties.Make sure the receiving vessels representative i.e. C/E make a note of it on the engine or delivery log book.

5.4 On commencement of bunkering make sure the engine crew flush the sampling point with the bunkered grade over a container. Then the cubitainer is to be attached immediately onto the sampling valve. The needle valve is to be adjusted according to the duration of the bunkering grade in order to give a slow and steady dripthroughout the whole bunkering, also ensuring that the cubitainer is properly filled.

During the bunkering operations, you should be vigilant and keep a close watch of the sampling point to prevent anyone from tampering with the samples.

In addition, you must ensure that communication between the vessel and the bunker tanker should be maintained during the entire bunkering operation.

On completion of bunkering the sampling valve has to be immediately closed.

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Drip line sampling kit assembled sampler

Drip line sampler

5.5 Upon removal of the cubitainer, make sure the sample content is shaken well before being split as follows:

* One sample to be retained by C/E

* Two samples for barge chief officer

* One sample will be for testing to be handled either by Saybolt or another laboratory of choice from our principals as indicated on our Operational instructions.

* The remaining should be retained by Saybolt (quantity should be of about one to two litres) for a period of 3 months.

All 5 samples are to be sealed with labels signed by all parties concerned. The sample witness forms must be signed and the respective samples should be distributed to the signatories concerned.

A sample report is to be produced, clearly indicating distribution of samples with their respective seal numbers. Sample Report and respective Sample Receipts are to be signed and stamped by all parties concerned

6.0 Bunker barge after bunkering:

6.1 After delivery is completed, the bunkers contained in the cargo hoses should be air-blown to the receiving vessel`s tank. In the case where the vessel`s tank is too high. Which makes the air blowing ineffective; the contents in the hoses should be drained back into the bunker tank before gauging is taken. Some barge chief officers have a tendency to urge surveyors to gauge their cargo tanks before bunker hose is drained back into the tanks, to overstate quantity transferred. This mostly occurs when the receiving vessels manifold is higher than barges deck line.

6.2 You should do the closing quantification of the barge first and ensure that the calibration tables used must be the same as used for the opening soundings.

6.3 The steps taken for calculating the quantity remaining on the bunker barge cargo tanks is the same as those of the opening gauging. In addition, you must check all the other tanks e.g. idle, ballast and barge bunker tanks, to ensure that no migration or increase of fuel has taken place.

6.4 Make sure the chief officer signs the post-delivery ullage report and give him a copy of every field document he signs.

7.0 The Bunker after bunkering operations:

7.1 The vessel`s closing sounding should be taken in accordance with the same procedures as that for the opening sounding of the vessel.

7.2 Always remember to calculate pro rata density of bunker tank contents using barge`s cargo density and the vessel`s O.B.Q. bunker density.

7.3 Quantify quantity received amount and reconcile figures with them with barge discharged figures. Barge discharged figures should be equal to Bunker Delivery Receipt (BDR) figures, otherwise difference should only be of few kilograms/litres.

7.4 Obtain a copy of B.D.R.

7.5 Record all times and have your time log signed by both parties.

8.0 Handling disputes

8.1 Should there be a dispute, particularly due to a difference between BDR and bunker receipt figures exceeding 0.3 % less of the BDR amount, investigate matter.

The following procedures should be observed >

You are to re-do the entire procedure upon completion of bunkering and to counter check the calculations done pre and post bunkering.

In addition, you should scrutinise the Stock Movement records/report of the bunker barge to ensure that the quantity of all the cargo tanks in the barge tallied with the quantity calculated prior to bunkering of the bunker barge; and if possible, obtain a copy of the report.

If the dispute has not yet been resolved, CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR. Issue a Letter of Protest to Chief Engineer and Barge Master for the cargo discrepancy andmake sure you obtain a copy of all letters of protest issued by the vessel and bunker barge respectively and any necessary paperwork as well as ensuring that all relevant documents have been duly signed by all parties concerned.

References:

ISO/TR 13739: Methods for specifying practical procedures for the transfer of bunker fuels to ships

Link on Saybolt share-point: https://sps.corelab.com/sites/saybolt/bunkersurvey/Bunker%20Survey%20Encyclopedia/ISO13739.aspx

Standard Operational Procedures for Bunker Surveys

Link on Saybolt share-point:

https://sps.corelab.com/sites/saybolt/bunkersurvey/Bunker%20Survey%20Encyclopedia/SOP.aspx

Bunker locations on MALTESE waters

Matthew Muscat

Saybolt Malta Ltd.