HULL LEAK AT TERMINAL ON CHEMICAL TANKERS-- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

When Exxon Valez ran aground at Alaska , she did NOT have intelligent command and control--neither on board -- nor ashore.

The yanks did NOT have any borrowed or hired foreign brains in that neck of the woods--like what they have at NASA or Silicon Valley or elsewhere.

Shows how hollow the terrific "Exxon standard" is.

The muffs destroyed the pristine Alaskan ecology and marine environment.

HULL LEAK ( AT TERMINAL )

No.	Action	Tick
1	Stop main engines, unless circumstances dictate otherwise
2	Stop all cargo operations, put off pumps
3	Call Master
4	Sound General Emergency for mustering all crew and external whistle for terminal
5	Announce location , extent of damage and nature of emergency
6	In case of cargo leak, read the MSDS sheet
7	Advise Engine Room and keep engines ready
8	Close all watertight doors and unnecessary vents
9	Exhibit light/shapes according to COLREG 72 as amended
10	Sound all tanks and bilge
11	Establish position of leak, Assess rate of  leak (mobilise damage  control party)
12	Isolate all power in the flooded compartment
13	Shore up area to prevent further leaks
14	Check feasibility for transferring cargo internally or pumping in water if cargo SG is less
15	Calculate stability and stresses.
16	In case of oil spill refer to SOPEP or VRP plan if vessel within the USA territorial waters
17	Send URGENCY broadcast
18	Inform all parties as per ERP list
19	Identify other ships in the vicinity
20	Inform the Company
21	In case of flammable cargo, evaluate if it is necessary to:
22	(i)       Inert the tank
23	(ii)      Install flame screens in place at the vents
24	Take regular soundings to ascertain ingress/ loss of cargo rate.
25	Do NOT use chemical dispersants inside port , unless approved
26	In case of toxic or carcinogenic cargo leak, use PPE and evacuate  unnecessary people
27	Evaluate if shore support is necessary (for transferring the cargo to another ship )
28	Fix vessel’s position on Chart and, if deemed necessary, broadcast navigational warnings
29	Keep continuous watch on channel 16 VHF and other communication channels
30	Check state of the tide, wind and current and weather forecast
31	Take pictures if safe, to show extent of polution
32	Note draught
33	Take sample of the leaked cargo
34	Notify all interested parties as per commercial requirement and C/P in proper format
35	Maintain a communication log and record SOF in deck log book
36	Keep structural plans and blueprints ready for inspection
37	Classification Surveyor attendance /report for seaworthiness  , repair assessment
38	H@M underwriters attendance / report for hull damage.
39	P&I Club attendance / report for cargo leak
40	Master not to admit liability when questioned by shore authorities.
41	Brief crew members not to speculate or give opinions to third  parties or give interviews
42	Master not to make a press release without company approval

Note:

After hull has been damaged any activity of loading weights incl ballasting must be done with care, with an understanding of the stresses that will be imposed and the changed nature of hull strength depending on the damage.

If leakage is from the bottom, leakage can be stopped by reducing the level of the tank to just below sea level and pumping water in the tank to provide a bottom BUFFER cushion in case cargo is non-water reactive.

Keep portable submersible FRAMO pump ready. Be ready to lighten ship. Unexplained persistence of continued oil discharge from ship has been found to originate from residual oil in the coolers taken in through sea suctions.

Try to hemetically seal leaking cargo / oil tanks after removing head above sea level by internal transfer.

CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

29 YEARS IN COMMAND

..