Case study: Consequences of instilling incorrect work procedures
What happened?
On 2 separate occasions in the engine room, the (i) drained content from LT cooler piping arrangement (“1st Occurrence”) and (ii) aft bilge (“2nd Occurrence”) were transferred to the Cargo Hold Bilge Holding Tank (“CHBHT”) instead of the engine room bilge holding tank
The above transfers for both occasions were carried out using portable pump and discharged through the CHBHT’s sounding pipe. See screengrab on the right.
1st occurrence: The content in CHBHT was subsequently discharge overboard without passing through the oily water separator (“OWS”).
2nd occurrence: The aft bilge transfer was stopped by new joining chief engineer when he was making engine room rounds. He subsequently reported the matter.
Why did it happen?
During the 1st occurrence, senior engineer officers instructed engine room rating to transfer the drained content into CHBHT. This experience misled the engine room rating to think that the practice is correct.
At the 2nd occurrence, when tasked by an engineer officer to lower the engine room aft bilge level, the same engine room rating applied his learning from the 1st occurrence and transferred the said bilge into the CHBHT.
Conclusion
The Cargo Hold Bilge Holding Tank is strictly used to contain only cargo hold bilges. This tank is connected to the OWS for discharge to the sea in compliance with the relevant MARPOL provisions.
At the 2nd occurrence, the same incorrect procedure was followed by the same engine room personnel, learning from precedent set during the 1st occurrence. It is laudable that the incorrect procedure was immediately stopped by the newly joined chief engineer who then reported to the master and company.
Senior ship staffs must ensure that correct and safe work procedures are instilled in their junior staffs.