1. Refuelling

2. Small vessel fuel systems
Components
Tank (Day, wing, portable)
Pick up line, Cut off, Primary Filter, Water seperator
Filler pipe, Sight glass
Filler cap, sounding pipe cap
Inspection plate, Baffles
Fuel return line
Vent, Spark arrester gauze
Earth, drain plug
Sounding pipe, striker plate, dipstick
ABM , 738, SSM 323 NSCV Part C 5A

3. Fuel System Components

4. Tank Volume Trapezoidal Tank Cylindrical Tank Triangular Tank
Volume = Length x (Width top + width bottom) / 2 x Height
Cylindrical Tank
Volume = Length x x Radius²
Triangular Tank
Volume = Length x Width x Height / 2
More complex shapes – break the shape down into sections with regular shapes then use above formulae
SSM 325, ABM

5. Tank Volume
Never fill to the top. Always allow at least 5% for expansion
Density of diesel fuel is about 0.8 tons per m³
1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres

6. How much is in the tank? Methods to measure fuel level include:-
Dipstick
Sight glass
Electronic Gauge
Pressure Gauge
Sounding line
Where the horizontal profile of the tank changes with depth, calibration of the equipment or calculation will be required to determine the volume of fuel in the tank.
The vessel’s stability book may provide tables to assist with the calculation

7. How much fuel is on board?
Sound each fuel tank
For each tank calculate fuel remaining using tables if required.
Add up each tank
Fill tanks in sequence per stability requirements

8. Glossary Flash Point Self ignition point. Auto-ignition
The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient gas to forma flammable gas mixture near the surface of the liquid.
Self ignition point. Auto-ignition
The temperature at which a liquid/gas ignites without ignition by a spark or flame
Flammable Range
The range of hydrocarbon gas concentrations in air between the lower and upper flammable (explosive) limits. Mixtures within this range are capable of being ignited and of burning.

9. Physical Properties of Fuel
Diesel
Flash point = 72°C to 80°C
Specific Gravity = 0.8
Self ignition point 350°C
Flammable Range ??% to ??%
Petrol
Flash point = -40°C
Specific Gravity = 0.??
Self ignition point 390°C
Flammable Range 1.4% to 7.6%
ABM 668 SSM 317

10. Causes of explosions Ignition while refuelling
Smoking, radio transmission, static (filler not earthed)
Overfilling - Fuel in bilges
Leaks, cracks & splits in fuel lines (HMAS Westralia, Jetcats)
Poor ventilation
Hot work

11. Hazards and Controls Fire & Explosion Spillage Skin and Eye irritation
Remove ignition sources. Take precautions against static electricity
Ventilate
Have fire fighting equipment ready
Spillage
Monitor tank levels, breathers and filler
Plug scuppers etc.
Have spill control equipment ready
Skin and Eye irritation
Wear PPE – eye/face, gloves, overalls, boots
SSM 35, ,

12. Planning Procedures and checklists ready MSDS and SMS reviewed
Crew trained
Remaining capacity in each tank known and stability info available
Spill control, fire control and personal equipment ready
Bookings and notifications made
Communication ready and tested

13. Refuelling Procedure – Plan
Notify authorities if required
Ensure vessel securely moored
Locate emergency shut off
Stop engines and machinery
Shut off all sources of ignition (LPR, Electrical, Radio, Mobile phones, Hot Work etc)
Eliminate smoking and naked flames
Set safety zone and place signage
Display Code flag “B”
Foam or dry chemical extinguishers ready

14. ULP MSDS

15. Marine Diesel MSDS

16. Refuelling Procedure – Prepare
Close and tag tank transfer valves
Seal off scuppers etc. to contain any spill. Buckets under breathers.
All personnel ashore and ship closed up
Pollution prevention equipment (Absorbents) ready
Inspect lines and pipes for leaks

17. Refuelling Procedure - Perform
Check tank correct – don’t put ULP in Diesel tank or Diesel in the water tank
Earth filler
Ensure filling point, tank gauges and shut off attended at all times
Monitor tank levels
Container ready to catch spillage
Clean up and render safe
Ventilate all lower compartments and engine room
Add anti-biological additive per instruction
Check bilge before starting engine
Check required tank transfer valves and fuel cocks open

18. NSCV part E The refuelling procedure should address the following:
a) Person in charge.
b) Communications procedures from fuel deliverer to the vessel.
c) Testing of communication procedures prior to fuelling.
d) Precautions to prevent spillage of fuel overboard.
e) Emergency shut down procedures for the fuelling
f) Testing of emergency shut down procedures prior to fuelling.
g) Monitoring of fuel hoses and fuel tank levels during fuelling.
h) Clean-up procedures for fuel spilled on deck.
i) Measurement and recording of fuel in tanks before and after taking on fuel.
j) Essential safety rules such as no smoking is permitted on the vessel or in its immediate vicinity during bunkering.

19. NSCV part E
k) Identify and observe safety requirements of the port/harbour authority, the fuel supplier and or berth operator.
l) Procedures in the event of spillage. These could include:
i) Stop the flow of fuel or pollution to the sea.
ii) Inform personnel and vessels in the immediate vicinity that a spill has occurred and a fire hazard may exist.
iii) Establish a zone wherein a fire watch can be maintained and fire-igniting activities prevented.
iv) Inform the harbour authority and or berth operator to enable them to initiate the appropriate response.
v) Minimise the effect and spread of the spillage.
vi) Dispersants should not be used without the permission of the harbour authority.
vii) Record all spillage, and the action taken with their times.

20. Conditions Change- What now?
Communication break down – stop refuelling
Wash from other vessels – postpone refuelling
Noise from breather changes – stop refuelling
Fuel discharge from breather – stop refuelling – commence spill response
Filler cuts out before expected – check calculations while waiting for any air block to clear

21. Fuel Spill response Position yourself upwind of spill or containers.
Leave the area if you are aware of leaks, stains, vapour, odour, etc.
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke near the spill or containers.
Contain spill and distribute absorbents
Ring the relevant NSW Port Corporation

23. Internal inspection of fuel tank
Enclosed space procedure
Gas free preparation

24. Enclosed space escape procedure
NSCV Part E
procedure should address the following:
a) Identify spaces that could be considered .enclosed. both in operational and maintenance conditions and during periods where the vessel may have been laid up.
b) Identify and address hazards with fumes and/or explosions from working with paint, chemicals, cleaners etc below deck.
c) Approval process for entry into enclosed spaces.
d) Safety precautions required in enclosed spaces.
e) Provision of appropriate safety equipment.
f) Appropriate supervision at all stages and particularly when persons are in the enclosed space.
g) Training so that the crew are aware of the identity of enclosed spaces, dangers of enclosed spaces, precautions and approvals before entering, procedures for entering and working in those spaces and rescue techniques.
h) Training in rescue situations with and without external medical and rescue back up.

25. Impact on stability
Loading fuel to tanks below the centre of gravity may improve stability
Loading fuel to tanks above the centre of gravity may reduce stability
Unloading fuel from tanks below the centre of gravity may reduce stability
Unloading fuel from tanks above the centre of gravity may improve stability
Loading fuel to press up a tank and reduce free surface effect may improve stability.

26. Safety Equipment PPE Fire extinguishers and hoses Plugs for scuppers
Eye/Face protection, Gloves, Boots, overalls
Fire extinguishers and hoses
Plugs for scuppers
Tags
Checklists
Absorbents and containers
Rags and containers
Communication equipment

27. Checklists and Training
Planning and Preparation
Crew and shore personnel functions during refuelling evolution
Refuelling Checklist – agreed with shore personnel
Post refuelling checklist
Spill response procedure

28. Communication Clear unambiguous signals and phrases for each step
Pumps on
Pump
Stop
Emergency stop and pumps off
Test communication prior to commencement of transfer

29. Spill Response Equipment
PPE
Rags and buckets
Absorbent pads
Bulk absorbent
Booms
Skimmers
Incident report forms

30. Safety Boundary Larger the vessel larger the exclusion area
Tankers – say 400m
Marina – say 50m
Absolutely no ignition sources within safety boundary – this means no smoking, lighters, no mobile phones no radios, no fans etc.

31. Spill Response Emergency Stop – valves and pumps
Notify everyone in the safety zone
Close safety zone
Take fire precautions
Notify authorities (Harbour Control)
Contain and clean up
Do not use dispersants unless advised by authorities

32. Training Record New crew New master New shore facility
New vessel for transfer
Regular drills

33. Regulations – Pollution Prevention
International Standard – MARPOL
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans
Federal - • Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) (Orders) Regulations
Federal – Marine Orders Part 91
NSW - Marine Pollution Act 1987
NSW – Passenger Transport Safety Act
Safety Management System

34. Regulations – Spill Response
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC 90)
International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1992
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001

35. Refuelling & fuel transfer for a 10 – 35m commercial vessel
Plan
Prepare
Perform

36. Refuelling Procedure – Plan
Notify authorities if required
Ensure vessel securely moored
Locate emergency shut off
Stop engines and machinery
Shut off all sources of ignition (LPR, Electrical, Radio, Mobile phones, Hot Work etc)
Eliminate smoking and naked flames
Set safety zone and place signage
Display Code flag “B”
Foam or dry chemical extinguishers ready

37. Refuelling Procedure – Prepare
Close and tag tank transfer valves
Seal off scuppers etc. to contain any spill. Buckets under breathers.
All personnel ashore and ship closed up
Pollution prevention equipment (Absorbents) ready
Inspect lines and pipes for leaks

38. Refuelling Procedure - Perform
Earth filler
Ensure filling point, tank gauges and shut off attended at all times
Monitor tank levels
Container ready to catch spillage
Clean up and render safe
Ventilate all lower compartments and engine room
Check bilge before starting engine
Check required tank transfer valves and fuel cocks open

39. Spill Response Emergency Stop – valves and pumps
Notify everyone in the safety zone
Close safety zone
Take fire precautions
Notify authorities (Harbour Control)
Contain and clean up
Do not use dispersants unless advised by authorities

40. Fire Response Emergency Stop – valves and pumps Raise alarm Size up
Notify authorities (Harbour Control, Mayday, 000)
Contain and extinguish (foam, dry chemical)
Isolate high voltage before using hoses on spray
Mop up
Report