1 PrefaceThe primary objective of these
Guidelines is to establish an agreed method to obtain a representative
sample of the fuel oil for combustion purposes delivered for use on board
ships.
2 IntroductionThe basis for these Guidelines is
regulation 18(3) of Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78, which provides that for each
ship subject to regulations 5 and 6 of that Annex, details of fuel oil for
combustion purposes delivered to, and used on board the ship, shall be
recorded by means of a bunker delivery note which shall contain at least the
information specified in appendix V to that Annex. In accordance with
regulation 18(6) of Annex VI, the bunker delivery note shall be accompanied
by a representative sample of the fuel oil delivered. This sample is to be
used solely for determination of compliance with Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78.
3 DefinitionsFor the purpose of these Guidelines:
3.1 Supplier's representative is
the individual from the bunker tanker who is responsible for the delivery
and documentation or, in the case of deliveries direct from the shore to the
ship, the person who is responsible for the delivery and documentation.
3.2 Ship's representative is the
ship's master or officer in charge who is responsible for receiving bunkers
and documentation.
3.3
Representative sample is a product specimen having its physical and chemical
characteristics identical to the average characteristics of the total volume
being sampled.
3.4 Primary sample
is the representative sample of the fuel delivered to the ship collected
throughout the bunkering period obtained by the sampling equipment
positioned at the bunker manifold of the receiving ship.
3.5 Retained sample is the representative
sample in accordance with regulation 18(6) of Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78, of
the fuel delivered to the ship derived from the primary sample.
4 Sampling methodsThe primary sample should be obtained by one of the
following methods:
.1 manual valve-setting continuous-drip
sampler; or
.2 time-proportional
automatic sampler; or
.3
flow-proportional automatic sampler.
4.2 Sampling equipment should be
used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, or guidelines, as
appropriate.
5 Sampling and sample
integrity5.1 A means should be provided to
seal the sampling equipment throughout the period of supply.
5.2 Attention should be given to:
.1 the form of set up of the sampler;
.2 the form of the primary sample container;
.3 the cleanliness and dryness of
the sampler and the primary sample container prior to use;
.4 the setting of the means used to control
the flow to the primary sample container; and
.5 the method to be used to secure the sample from
tampering or contamination during the bunker operation.
5.3 The
primary sample receiving container should be attached to the sampling
equipment and sealed so as to prevent tampering or contamination of the
sample throughout the bunker delivery period.
6 Sampling location For the purpose of these
Guidelines a sample of the fuel delivered to the ship should be obtained at
the receiving ship's inlet bunker manifold and should be drawn continuously
throughout the bunker delivery period.*
7 Retained sample handling7.1 The retained sample container
should be clean and dry.
7.2
Immediately prior to filling the retained sample container, the primary
sample quantity should be thoroughly agitated to ensure that it is
homogenous.
7.3 The retained
sample should be of sufficient quantity to perform the tests required but
should not be less than 400 ml. The container should be filled to 90% ± 5%
capacity and sealed.
8 Sealing of the
retained sample8.1 Immediately following
collection of the retained sample, a tamper proof security seal with a
unique means of identification should be installed by the supplier's
representative in the presence of the ship's representative. A label
containing the following information should be secured to the retained
sample container:
.1 location at which, and the method by which,
the sample was drawn;
.2 date of
commencement of delivery;
.3 name
of bunker tanker/bunker installation;
.4 name and IMO number of the receiving ship;
.5 signatures and names of the supplier's
representative and the ship's representative;
.6 details of seal identification; and
.7 bunker grade.
8.2 To
facilitate cross-reference details of the seal, identification may also be
recorded on the bunker delivery note.
9 Retained sample storage9.1 The retained sample should be
kept in a safe storage location, outside the ship's accommodation, where
personnel would not be exposed to vapours which may be released from the
sample. Care should be exercised when entering a sample storage location.
9.2 The retained sample
should be stored in a sheltered location where it will not be subject to
elevated temperatures, preferably at a cool/ambient temperature, and where
it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
9.3 Pursuant to regulation 18(6) of Annex VI of
MARPOL 73/78, the retained sample should be retained under the ship's
control until the fuel oil is substantially consumed, but in any case for a
period of not less than 12 months from the time of delivery.
9.4 The ship's master should
develop and maintain a system to keep track of the retained samples.
* The phrase "be drawn continuously throughout the
bunker delivery period" in paragraph 6 of the Guidelines should be taken
to mean continuous collection of drip sample throughout the delivery of
bunker fuel covering each bunker delivery note. In case of receiving an
amount of bunker fuel necessitating two or more delivery notes, the
sampling work may be temporarily stopped to change sample bags and
bottles and then resumed as necessary.