UK Club's fresh approach to oil record books

Confusion and ambiguity about what should be entered in ships' oil record books had been noted by the UK P&I Club's ship inspectors in their regular visits to entered vessels. Over the years, they felt that oil book record keeping had not been well understood by ships' officers and MARPOL inspectors.

In recent months, however, the IMO has tightened up its guidance in relation to machinery space operations, prompting the UK Club to issue a Technical Bulletin, summarising members' concerns and suggesting a standard format for ORB entries. The aim is to avoid fines from Port State Control authorities and others for incorrect record keeping.

The areas of most concern relate to oil sludge and other residues retained on board; transferring or disposing of those residues; operating the oily water separator in respect of non-automatic disposal methods; and transferring and collecting bilge water and sludge.

It follows that the UK Club's suggested standard format concentrates on these areas. It covers the identification, location and volume of tanks, the quantities within them and detailed records of operations. All entries must be in ink not pencil and recorded at the time of operation.

It also reminds masters and crew of alarm, cleaning and maintenance requirements for oily water separators and emergency draining of oil to the engine room bilges even if transferred to holding tanks.

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