QUALITY DOCUMENT
Name of Form: IMS9.4.10 Bruce Ethylene Tanker Transportation Procedure

IMS9.4.10 Bruce Ethylene Tanker Transportation Procedure

1.0   INTRODUCTION

The dangerous goods, Ethylene is scheduled to be transported on SeaLink vessel Bruce to the LNG project on Curtis Island from Port Central.

The hazard of this product is that it is odourless and can not be detected by the sense of smell.

The Ethylene does not have the density that air has and therefore will rise and dissipate when discharged into the atmosphere. These units will only be transported during the night and no other vehicles or cargo shall travel with the ethylene units unless specifically authorised by SeaLink management.

The vessel may be required to transport up to 4 x Ethylene tankers on a single voyage at night with no other vehicles onboard. These vehicles should be parked in the open deck area of the vessel and 3 metres forward of the forward generator room bulkhead.

2 x Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and 4 x chemical suits are stored in the port aft store room for use by the crew if required in the event of a chemical spill emergency.

     Pressure Gauge                            Volume Gauge
                                      

2.0   LOADING 

Intrinsically Safe radio’s are to be used when transporting Ethylene tankers.

MATE: Ask the driver for a copy of the:

• Checklist on when the tank was last checked for leaks. (Mate to take a copy of original document.)
• Check the pressure gauge is 850kPa. If over 850kPa vehicle not to be loaded and emergency number on the checklist to be contacted by Bechtel.
• Dangerous Goods Declaration.(retain as normal)
• Instruct driver to take his gas detector with him to the passenger lounge in the event of a leak.

ENGR/DH:

• The engineer shall have the portable gas detector in his possession and switched on.
• All water tight doors, hatches and openings on the main deck are to be closed and secured prior to commencing loading.
• The Ethylene tankers are to be parked as far forward as possible in any of the vehicle lanes forward of the forward generator room bulkhead.
• The tankers are not to be parked over the top of any of the main machinery spaces when being transported.
• Place cone perimeter.
• Chock wheels.

MASTER:

• Initiate discussions on procedures in toolbox talks to ensure crew are clear on procedures and vessel preparation.
• Ensure crew do not have mobile phones in their possession prior to loading.
• Log details in ships log book.

3.0   DURING TRANSIT

• All Passengers and Crew are to be off the main vehicle deck and remain in the passenger lounge for the duration of the voyage when transporting the bulk Ethylene tanker(s).
• While the vessel is in transit, the deckhand is to monitor the passenger lounge to ensure passengers remain within that area for the duration of the voyage.
• The engineer is to have the portable gas detector switched on and in his possession while loading /unloading is being carried out and shall pass it onto one of the crew members on deck should he vacate the deck for any reason.

The master is to be informed of the transaction if it occurs.

4.0   UNLOADING

• Unload vessel as per normal procedures.
• All water tight doors, hatches and openings on the main deck are to remain closed and secure until all tankers have been unloaded off the vessel.
• Same procedures apply for empty Ethylene tanks returning from the mainland.

5.0   EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Emergency Procedure 1:

In the event of a leak occurring on the tanker, the following steps are to be followed:

• Notify VTS immediately and then management.
• Notify any vessels in the vicinity.
• Notify passengers of situation and to remain in the passenger lounge.
• Escort the tanker driver with his portable gas detector to inspect the potential leak.
• If safe to do so.
• It is deemed unsafe to proceed to the main vehicle deck, the  chemical suits and SCBA is to be utilised.
• Commence lowering the bow ramp first and then the aft ramp to create an air flow over the deck & attach safety wires if safe to do so.
• On arrival at the barge facility disembark passengers if it is safe to do so.

Emergency Procedure 2:

In the unlikely event of the Ethylene tank catching fire the following steps are to be followed:

• Send Urgency message.
• Notify VTS immediately and then management.
• Notify any vessels in the vicinity.
• Start fire pumps and commence boundary cooling. (Do not extinguish fire)
• Notify passengers of the situation, to don life jackets and remain in the passenger lounge.
• Commence lowering the bow ramp first and then the aft ramp to create an air flow over the deck and attach safety wires if safe to do so.
• Consider evacuating passengers off the vessel.