Guide To Making Cargo Operation On Oil Tankers Safer

Crude oil and most petroleum products are transported through sea voyage on oil tanker ships. These liquid substances are extremely hazardous. They are flammable as well as toxic to the human body. This is why operations of these vessels on broad water require special directives for safety and legal issues. If you are managing an oil cargo business, get a copy of ISGOTT.

get a copy of ISGOTT

Purpose of ISGOTT

The International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals was first published in 1978 by  the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the ‘International Oil Tanker and Terminal Safety Guide’, by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). It was reviewed and the fifth edition was published in 2006 to ensure that it continues to reflect current best practices and legislation.

For a safe journey till the destination, crew members involved in the operation must know all the essential guidelines as a part of their duties. 

• Close the doors

Carrying crude oil can increase temperature and humidity in the accommodations. This might trigger some people on the board to get some fresh air. As per the safety rule, they must close all the openings because the fume of oil can result in an explosion.

• Shut natural ventilation

It is pleasant to take natural air while traveling on the water. However, such a practice is risky because the air can take the vapor outside the room. This may result in polluting the atmosphere of the vessel’s path. Even if someone opens a window for a short time, he must close it again before continuing daily chores.

•  Shut cargo tank lid

When the ship sails on the rough water, there may be lots of shaking. An open lid of the oil tanker can spill the liquid overboard. An oil spill is toxic to natural habitat in the ocean. It can also catch fire in the areas where there are drops of oil.

Besides taking care of the oil tanker as per the guidelines of ISGOTT, workers also wear safety gear. They must avoid smoking and using static electricity charge in the tank.

5 Oil Tanker Ship Related Hazards Every Sailor Should Know

It is not a new fact to tell that oil is a major source on which the world runs. Mainly, the oil is transported on ships, which is known as oil tankers, around the world. As these oil tankers carry liquefied cargo in bulk, that has hazardous nature, seafarers have to be extra careful with safety training. Considering the risk involved with oil transportation, ISGOTT (The International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals) is recommended. 

The purpose of the ISGOTT guide is to offer operational advice to seafarers involved in tanker operations directly. In all ISGOTT editions, it is emphasized that the oil tanker’s operator must be ever ready to give information, support, and guidance to the ship in-charge master. Also, terminal management must make sure safe operation practices.

Here we have shared some oil tanker ship related hazards that reflects the importance of ISGOTT:

• Flammable - Cargos that mostly oil tanker ships carry are flammable in nature. Some of them even release gases that may create a combustible mixture made of hydrocarbons. In a flammable mixture, 1-10% is hydrocarbon gas while the rest is air.

• Smoking- Smoking is extremely prohibited in the air as several cases of fire have been recorded in the past. It is essnetial for workers to seafarers to follow all set of instructions and only to smoke at designated or permitted areas.

• Steam - Injected steam into a piping system or compartment that contains a flammable mixture is a strict no. the reason is high-velocity water droplets get charged when passing through the nozzle and produce a charged mist.

• CO2 - The CO2 firefighting system suppresses ignition when you spray CO2 at high velocity over the fire. Due to rapid evaporation, the particles cool down and form solid carbon dioxide, that may get electrostatically charged.

• Mobile Phones - Personal GSM mobile phone or other similar equipment are not allowed as they may cause sparks and give rise to ignition.