MARINE NOTICE 3 / 2011:
Guidance document for the recording operations in the Oil Record Book Part I
The purpose of this notice is to advise of the availability of a new guidance document for the recording of operations in the Oil Record Book Part I – machinery space operations (all ships), prepared and issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The guidance document is intended to assist compliance with MARPOL requirements on board ships by providing advice to crews on how to record the various operations in the Oil Record Book, in particular by using the correct codes and item numbers in order to ensure a more uniform port State control procedure.
The guidelines are to be applied in conjunction with the amendments to MARPOL Annex I that entered into force on 1 January 2011. The amendments to MARPOL Annex I relate to improved, or new, definitions for oil residue (sludge), oil residue (sludge) tank, oily bilge water and oily bilge water holding tank. In addition, regulation 12 on tanks for oil residue (sludge) was also amended and consequential amendments to the IOPP Certificate supplement and Oil Record Book were also adopted. The guidance document is intended to assist compliance with the new requirements.
The guidance document provides specific examples for the recording of information within the Oil Record Book Part I for the following:
- collection of oil residues (sludge);
- disposal or transfer of oil residues (sludge);
- non-automatic discharge overboard or disposal otherwise of bilge water which has accumulated in machinery spaces;
- automatic discharge overboard or disposal otherwise of bilge water which has accumulated in machinery spaces;
- condition of oil filtering equipment;
- accidental or other exceptional discharge of oil;
- bunkering of fuel or bulk lubricating oil;
- additional operational procedures and general remarks;
- tankers with slop tanks; and
- general guidance – additional voluntary recordings.
A copy of the guidance document is available on the IMO website (www.imo.org) by following the links to “IMO Documents (Public)”, and then to “Circulars” and by locating circular MEPC.1/Circ.736. The Oil Record Book available from AMSA offices has been updated to incorporate the amendments that entered into force on 1 January 2011.
Graham Peachey
Chief Executive Officer
11 February 2011
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181,
Canberra City ACT 2601
File No: 2002/374
Internet Address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au