P&I insurance company Gard is advising that level batteries in bilge alarm system displays might result in Port State Control troubles.
Port State assessors contrast the Bilge Alarm information to the access in the Oil Record Book and also if that information is not available, assessors might locate the vessel lacking.
According to IMO standards, notes Gard, the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm must videotape day, time and also alarm system condition, and also running condition of the 15 ppmBilge Separator The tape-recording tool needs to likewise keep information for at the very least eighteen months and also must have the ability to present or publish a procedure for main assessments as needed. In the occasion the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm is changed, suggests must be supplied to make certain the information taped continues to be offered aboard for 18 months.
Gard reports that in current Port State assessments, UNITED STATE Coast Guard assessors located MARPOL shortages connected to the 15-ppm bilge alarm of 4 ships. They found that the access in the vessels’ Oil Record Books did not represent the information being shown by the 15-ppm bilge alarm/oil web content meter.
In each situation the Coast Guard provided a Port State shortage and also needed each of the shortages located to be corrected to the complete satisfaction of Recognized Organization, Flag Administration, and also the Coast Guard before the vessels’ separation from port.
“Further investigation found that the specific bilge alarm monitors in these cases were of an older type,” statesGard “The battery was developed to last the life time of the tool and also lay within and also behind the circuit card of the 15-ppm bilge alarm. The producer’s hand-operated showed that throughout a major power supply failing incorporated with a reduced back-up battery voltage, the device would certainly secure down and also present a mistake message.
In all 4 instances, the battery voltage was exceptionally reduced and also fell short to supply the needed 2.5 volts needed to keep the kept information without mistake. As an outcome, when the information was seen on the LCD evaluate it was rushed and also incorrect.
Newer designs are geared up with the opportunity to change the back-up battery due to the fact that they utilize a capacitor that makes sure adequate power to keep the kept information for numerous hrs.
Warning and also referrals
In a Safety Alert July 31, 2019 the Coast Guard has actually provided lessons found out and also solid referrals that shipowners and also drivers regularly assess the kept information offered with the 15-ppm bilge alarm to make certain that the information matches the details taped in the ORB and also real OWS procedures. In the occasion the tools is changed, suggests must be supplied to make certain the information taped continues to be offered aboard for 18 months.
In order to stay clear of possible Port State fines or separation hold-ups, Gard encourages participants and also customers to keep in mind that Port State Control Officers executing MARPOL evaluations will certainly confirm that the 15-ppm bilge alarm is tape-recording information effectively and also is straightened with the ORB access.
Read the Gard sharp HERE
