BUNKER VERY CAREFULLY

Videotel received an unusual request recently. There had been quite a serious accident and lawyers were looking for someone to blame. The critical point was whether the crew had been taught the most up to date procedures. Fortunately, thanks to Videotel and company records, we helped to prove that they had. 

Another unusual request recently was to help find out why, when proper procedures have been agreed for a hazardous activity, some seafarers choose not to follow them and end up causing explosions, spills or worse. Through the Videotel Users Group we were able to report that of 14 reasons why people do not follow procedures, the seafarers and managers put the following reasons at the top of the list:

1. The seafarer deliberately deviates from the procedure:

• “there is no need to do it by the book",
• "I know an easier way, I have done it before”

2. Perceived, imposed or self-imposed or other (time) pressures

• “the company will not be pleased if we cause delays”
• “by cutting corners we can finish early and get some rest”

PREVENTING BUNKERING MISHAPS

We can learn lessons from a lot of people. At the highest, very altruistic level, paying attention to bunkers can help us save the planet. We need to pay attention to the debates at International Maritime Organization and use bunkers and procedures that meet the latest regulatory requirements of MARPOL, particularly the new requirements of Annex VI on air pollution.

The next group of people who can teach us lessons are accident investigators and P&I club representatives. They probably have the quickest feedback loop into training to prevent the recurrence of particular incidents. They can help us learn from other peoples’ mistakes and stop people making the same mistakes again and again.

There is a lot of talk today about Risk Assessment. This is not just a fashionable new way of producing yet more paperwork. At its core, it is common sense. Before you start any job, think what the hazards are, avoid them if you can, and minimise their effect if anything does go wrong.

Senior sea staff, experienced managers, personnel from bunker supply companies, industry consultants specialising in this area of work, all have an input to the product Steering Group which ensures the quality, effectiveness and practicality of the training packages made by Videotel. The most recent up-date is the training package “Good Bunkering Practice”.

GOOD BUNKERING PRACTICE: EDITION 2

The new programme is aimed at all crew members and reflects the changes that have taken place over the last ten years in the bunkering market, in the technologies of sample taking and with the advent of MARPOL Annex VI regulations. Bunkering requires teamwork between suppliers and customers, so the package has been aimed at everyone involved with bunkering operations.

It complies with MARPOL Annex VI Regulations. This programme outlines and complies with the international legislation designed to ensure safety, best practice and best performance when bunkering.

Main topics covered:

• Ordering the correct grade and quantities of bunkers
• Preparing the ship for receiving bunkers
• Carrying out a risk assessment and providing all the necessary measures to prevent an oil spill, deal with emergencies, and personal protection
• Verifying that the specified bunkers are on board the barge
• Complying with sulphur content requirements under MARPOL Annex VI
• Verifying quantities by taking ullages before and after delivery
• Agreeing the communication methods between barge and ship
• Agreeing the pressure and rate of delivery
• Obtaining good representative samples of the delivered fuel
• Ensuring that personnel assigned duties during bunkering know what is expected of them and understand the importance of their role in preventing oil spills

COLLEGE LEARNING AND CERTIFICATION

One of my students told me, after gaining his Master’s Certificate of Competency, that he knew the law very well, and he could recite the jail sentences and level of fines for all the things he might get wrong in doing his job. What no one had taught him, he said, was the best way to get things right! He presumed he was supposed to pick it up as he went along! I suppose this is equivalent to saying with respect to a car, “Knowing the Highway Code does not make you a good driver!” So only knowing the law will not prevent us from having bunker spills.

In 55 years of maritime training, I have observed many times “a circle of despair” and reluctance to change. An accident or spillage happens, investigations pinpoint the likely causes, these are promulgated by the authorities, a few people really take note and alter their methods, but too often circumstances change slightly, another accident happens and the cycle begins again. A shipmaster once thanked me for pointing out, during a week of collision avoidance simulator exercises, how dangerous his normal methods were and how lucky he had been not to have a major accident. I asked, “So will you change your methods now?” After much thought he said, “No, I will still do the same, but I will worry much more!”

In addition, the moment you walk out of college or the examination centre with your certificate of competency, you are becoming out-of-date. So college learning is not enough!

CONCLUSION: TRAINING ON THE JOB AND KEEPING UP TO DATE

By standing back and looking at these factors, I reach the conclusion that the best practical training is on the job or very close to it. It should be carried out with up to date training material by experienced managers / senior engineers / officers who can explain the need to follow the correct procedures and to take great care.

As the title says, “Bunker very carefully!”