CHEMICAL TANKERS, TANK CLEANING OPERATIONS -- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

TANK CLEANING ON PARCEL CHEMICAL TANKERS-

THE FOLLOWING SERVES AS A “MEMORY JOGGER" FOR A 3/4 STRIPER ON A

PARCEL CHEMICAL TANKER , RATHER THAN A CHECK LIST—AND IS BY

NO MEANS COMPREHENSIVE.

IT SHOWS THE PROACTIVE AND MULTI-TASKING NATURE OF CHEMICAL

TANKER SHIPBOARD MANAGEMENT. 

A CHEMICAL TANKER 3/4 STRIPER CANNOT BE A HALF-WIT.

S.No	TANKCLEANING PRIOR CHECKLIST
1	Did you discuss the cleaning plan with the Chemical operator ?
2	Did you make a written tank cleaning plan ?
3	Did you post the cleaning plan in CCR and discuss it with crew ?
4	Have you checked the effect of cleaning to the adjacent tanks ?
5	Have you double checked the stock of F.W, detergents and solvents ?
6	Did you discuss relevant cleaning plan with the engine department ?
7	Is the crew aware of the properties (hazards) of unloaded cargo ?
8	Have you discussed the MSDS sheets of tank cleaning chemicals with the crew ?
9	Are these MSDS sheets posted?
10	Have you instructed crew to wear proper PPE?
11	Did you test the function of measuring portable instruments ?
12	Are all scuttles of accommodation closed ?
13	Are all doors of accommodation quarter closed with no vacuum inside ?
14	Did you confirm if eye wash and shower on upper deck are functional ?
15	Is the deck tidy and in order ?
16	Is the deck clean and devoid of slippery materials ?
17	Is there sufficient lighting on deck for crew ?
18	Did you discuss emergency and safety procedures with crew ?
19	Are there enough walkie talkies ?
20	Did you make a rotation watchkeeping system ?
21	Were all equipments to be used for cleaning tested and confirmed to be safe and functional ?
22	Are the manifold hoses rigged as per the signed ( mate) and posted rigging plan?
23	Is condition (open / close) of valves as per plan ?
24	Are lines used for cleaning segregated properly from the others ?
25	Is condition (open / close) of valves indicated in CCR ?
26	Are lashing ropes arranged for valves whose status must not be altered ?
27	Are weather and other circumstances taken into consideration for cleaning operations ?
28	Have you given requisite notice to E/Room for boiler?
29	Have you made a bar diagram of the tankcleaning operations?
30	Will you keep water temp constant and flow constant to prevent unnecessary boiler surge?
31	Can you dischg tankwashings on the opposite side of FWG intake?
32	If it is not possible to do it will you stop the FWG?
33	Will you commence tankcleaning asap after discharge?
34	Have you found out what type of cleanliness is required ( water white or wall wash)?
35	Are relevant atmosphere checklists kept ready for use ?
36	For washing non-inerted tanks will the the tankwash capacity per nozzle be <17.5 cum?
37	For washing non-inerted tanks will the combined machine through put be <110 cum /hr?
38	Have the tankcleaning hoses been tested for continuity after drying them?
39	Are you aware that steam cannot be injected during washing?
40	Are you aware of the max wash temp allowed by tank lining manufacturer?
41	Are you aware that  washing must be stopped if gas conc is >35% LEL when wash temp is > 60 deg?
42	Are your machines suspended by natural fibre rope not supply hose?
43	Are you aware that for static accumulator cargoes like toluene you must bottom flush prior wash?
44	Are enclosed spaced checklists filled up for each tank before man entry for mopping etc ?
45	Are the MSDS sheets of tankcleaning chemicals displayed?
46	Do you have proper PPE for the job which is being done?
47	Have you flushed the tankcleaning line before putting it in service?
48	Is your fixed tankcleaning fan fitted with auto closing valve to prevent backflow on power failure?
49	Are all fixed cargo lines / crossovers used for gas freeing (used with fixed blower) cleaned/ flushed?
50	If yes, are valves other than what is absolutely required closed and lashed?
51	Is the a/c on recirc mode?
52	Does the tank lining have to be cured or ventilated before commencement of washing?
53	Are you aware of the vapor densities all the cargoes which is being cleaned?

S.No	TANKCLEANING DURING CHECKLIST
1	Are cleaning operations progressing as per your bar chart ?
2	Have the crew understood yor tankcleaning plan?
3	Is close communication being kept with Engine department ?
4	Are pumps , boiler and tankcleaning heater working well ?
5	Do you taken precautions not to steam tanks excessively ?
6	Was PV vent line drained and steamed?
7	Are tank washings being discharged from tank immediately ?
8	Is the result of every cleaning process being monitored by responsible person ?
9	Do you check regularly if salt water spray is not entering into tank through openings ?
10	Is progress and result of cleaning being reported to the company as necessary ?
11	Is record of tank cleaning progress being compared to your bar –diagram?
12	Is every necessary information passed when shift (duty) is changed ?
13	Are you getting required temperature from butterworth heater?
14	Are you keeping the tank bottom well drained during washing?
15	Are the machines positioned correctly?
16	Is correct pressure and temperature being maintained in the tankcleaning line?
17	Is the sound pattern of the butterworth machines being checked?
18	Are you using both sides of the manifold to eject tankwashings?
19	Is the manifold valve being throttled to keep the pipelines chock a block with water?
20	Are you ensuring there is no cargo falling on the maindeck ?
21	Are tank entry procedures being followed?
22	Are you inspecting inside tank dome and butterworth port covers for cleanliness?
23	Are you allowing 10 cm of water build up at the end of tank cleaning?
24	Will you run pump full speed for 3 min to flush internal parts and stripping line?
25	Are you checking the PV stacks for cleanliness?
26	Is the a/c on internal recirc?
27	Are the connections between the cargo tank and fixed blower blanked except when in use?
28	Are portable fan inlets as far away from outlet as possible?
29	Is the portable blower making an electrical bond with deck?
30	Is the tankcleaning log being maintained?
31	Have you constantly monitored no salt spray is entering FW rinsed tanks or dry wall wash tanks ?

S.No	TANKCLEANING AFTER CHECKLIST
1	Have proper preventive measures been taken to prevent fouling of tank after cleaning ?
2	Was the result of tankcleaning cleaning reported to company ?
3	Were equipments used for cleaning (hoses , cleaning machines , etc.) cleaned and stowed in order ?
4	Was tank cleaning heater FW rinsed  and drained completely ?
5	Were tank cleaning line , steam and steam drain lines drained ?
6	Were all the outfitting in tank such as cargo pump , level gauge etc inspected by observation ?
7	Have you ensured waste rags , gloves, steam coil nuts , tools etc are NOT left behind in the tank ?
8	Were decks cleaned to next port standards ?
9	Was stock of tankcleaning chemicals checked and reported ?
10	Was condition of coating and tank structure checked and recorded ?
11	Are tank cleaning chemicals stowed properly?
13	Was oil record book and / or cargo record book entered properly ?
14	Have you stripped the pumpstack after tank cleaning?
15	Have you purged the cofferdam after tank cleaning?
16	Have you inspected the tank for cleanliness, dryness and odour ?
18	Will you be doing a wall wash for necessary tanks?
19	Have the manifold driptrays been cleaned?
20	Have you reconciled how fresh water will be gainfully utilized for rinsing?
21	Will you be rinsing tanks with FW before the salt water dries up?
22	After polymerizing cargoes have you checked the gaskets and the PV valve?
23	Are marflex filters ready for DI water wash?
24	Are you aware that WWT must not be done on wet bulkheads?
25	Are you aware of the capacities of your fixed and portable vent fans and time required to gasfree ?
26	Have you drained the PV riser drains off water/ rust and sediment?
27	Have all cargo lines been drained?

CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL ( 28 YEARS IN COMMAND )
..