Ship procedures for treatment waste oil and oily bilges

General Instructions for ships : In principle, the disposal of waste oil, bilge and sludge generated in machinery spaces shall be completed onboard (by incineration or overboard discharge under 15 ppm), however, if such onboard disposal is improper or impossible, they shall be taken ashore for disposal at a shore receiving facility.

The Chief Engineer shall have direct responsibility for the disposal of waste oil, bilge and sludge generated in machinery spaces.When the above work is carried out, the Chief Engineer shall enter the details of the work into the “Oil Record Book” (Machinery Space Operations) according to the “Procedures for Oil Record Book Entry”.

The Chief Engineer shall understand the contents of IOPP Certificate, especially the equipment and methods for the disposal of waste oil, bilge and sludge specified in the Supplement of IOPP Certificate, Item 2, 3 and 4, in respect of :

• Type of oil content monitor and control unit for bilge.
• Type and disposing capacity of oily-water separator (or oil filtering equipment).
• Type of oil content meter (or oil content monitor).
• Tank arrangement and capacity mentioned in the Supplement of IOPP certificate.
• Means and capacity of oil residual (sludge) disposal. Where “Standard Discharging Connections” are stored.

The Chief Engineer shall confirm that the items mentioned in the IOPP certificate and its Supplement, tank capacity and arrangement shown in the Finished Drawings (GA and CP), the contents of the Oil Record Book, and the contents of the Bilge/Sludge Handling Note for onboard work are in total accord.

Disposal of waste oil , bilge and sludge

The Chief Engineer shall refer to the separate plan, the standard flow chart for bilge and sludge disposal suitable to the vessel’s facilities. The flow chart and piping diagrams shall be put up to suitable places, such as in the Engine control room and near the control station for bilge pumps and separators.

Ships calling the United States shall post the following placard, “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” , in the machinery room and around the control stations for ballast and bilge pumps according to the provisions of 33CFR. Part155.450.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, or the waters of the contiguous zone, or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States, if such discharge causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water.

Violators are subject to substantial civil penalties and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment.

Onboard transfer and drain out water of waste oil, bilge, and sludge shall be carried out under the supervision of the engineer on watch after obtaining the Chief Engineer’s approval.

Overboard discharge of bilge and the like shall be carried out under the direction and the supervision of the Engineer on watch nominated by the Chief Engineer, or supervised by the Chief Engineer himself on the spot.

Chief Engineer shall confirm Ship’s Position from the Watch Officer.

The condition under which the overboard discharge of bilge is allowed are as follows :

The vessel is not in the special area.

The special area: The Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Red Sea, the “Gulfs area”, the Antarctic Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, Southern South Africa, and waters in North-West Europe (MARPOL 73/78 ANNEX-1, Regulation 1.10).