8.3.10.

Were the Master and officers familiar with the company procedures for the
inspection, testing and operation of the vapour collection system, and was this
equipment in satisfactory condition?
Short Question Text
Vapour collection system.

Vessel Types
Oil, Chemical

ROVIQ Sequence
Cargo Control Room, Main Deck

Publications
IMO: ISM Code
OCIMF/ICS: International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals. Sixth Edition.
IMO: MARPOL
ICS: Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) - Fifth Edition
IMO: MSC/Circ.585 Standards for vapour emission control systems

Objective

To ensure that the vapour collection system is in satisfactory condition and operated correctly when
required.

Industry Guidance

OCIMF/ICS: International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals. Sixth Edition.

11.5 Vapour recovery systems

Vapour recovery systems fall into two categories:

Those systems conforming to IMO guidelines that provide a system for returning cargo vapours to the shore
for reclaiming or incinerating. These are known as VECS (see section 23.7.7)
Proprietary systems for recovering petroleum liquid or vapour that would otherwise be vented during the
loading operation or during the loaded passage. These are known as vapour recovery systems.

Personnel who operate VECS and vapour recovery systems should be fully trained to use them.

23.7.7 Loading at terminals with Vapour Emission Control Systems

23.7.7.1 General

…The IMO has developed international standards for the design, construction and operation of vapour collection
systems on tankers and VECs at terminals…

Note that VECs can serve tankers fitted with IG systems as well as non-inerted tankers.

ISGOTT Checks pre-transfer Ship/Shore Safety Checklist

Part 5A. Tanker and terminal: pre-transfer conference

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Item 56 Vapour return line operational parameters are agreed. (11.5, 18.3, 23.7.7)

ICS: Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) - Fifth Edition

5.9 Vapour Return Systems

The purpose of vapour return systems is to ensure that cargo vapours are not released to the atmosphere. Vapour
return lines on chemical tankers are either connected to the ship’s P/V line or, if the ship is fitted with an inert gas
system, to an extension of that system.

The IBC Code requires the ship to be able to return vapours of most toxic chemicals to shore.

IMO: MSC/Circ.585 Standards for vapour emission control systems

1.1 These standards have been developed for the design, construction and operation of vapour collection systems on
tankers and vapour emission control systems at terminals.

1.2.10 “Vapour collection system” means an arrangement of piping and hoses used to collect vapour emitted from a
tanker’s cargo tanks and transport the vapour to a vapour processing unit.

2.2.1 Each chemical, product or crude carrier should have vapour collection piping which is permanently installed with
a tanker vapour connection located as a close as practical to the loading manifold. In lieu of permanent piping,
Administrations may permit chemical tankers to have a permanent vapour connection at each cargo tank for
connection to a vapour hose which should be kept as short as practicable.

2.6.4 Each tanker equipped with a vapour collection system that is common to two or more tanks should be fitted with
a pressure sensing device that senses the pressure in the main vapour collection line for those tanks, and which:

1. has a high-pressure alarm that alarms at a pressure of not more than the lowest pressure relief valve setting
in the cargo tank venting system; and
2. has a low-pressure alarm that alarms at a pressure of not less than atmospheric pressure for an inerted
tanker, or the lowest vacuum relief valve setting (i.e. that setting nearest to atmospheric pressure) in the
cargo tank venting system for a non-inerted tank vessel.

2.8.1 Each person in charge of a transfer operation utilizing a vapour emission control system should have completed
a training programme covering the particular system installed on the tanker. The training should encompass the
purpose and principles of operation of the vapour emission control system and provide an understanding of the
equipment involved and associated hazards. In addition, the training should provide an understanding of operating
procedures including testing and inspection of equipment, pre-transfer procedures, piping connection sequence,
start-up procedures, normal operations and emergency procedures. Training should also include an understanding of
the shoreside terminal equipment and operating procedures.

2.9.1 Tanker transfer procedures should contain information on the tanker’s vapour collection system including:

1. A line diagram of the tanker’s vapour collection piping indicating the locations and purpose of all control and
safety devices.
2. The maximum allowable transfer rate as limited by the venting capacity of the pressure or vacuum relief
valves, or any other factor which would limit the transfer rate.
3. The maximum pressure drop in the vessel’s vapour collection system for various transfer rates.
4. The relief settings of each pressure and vacuum valve.
5. Pre-transfer procedures, and
6. Procedures to be followed in the event of a fault during vapour collection operations.

TMSA KPI 10.1.3 requires that procedures minimise marine and atmospheric emissions and ensure that they are
always within permitted levels. Procedures may include:

Methods of minimising emissions.

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 VOC management.

IMO: ISM Code

7 The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists as appropriate, for key
shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and protection of the environment. The various
tasks involved should be defined and assigned to qualified personnel.

IMO: MARPOL

Annex VI

Chapter 3 Regulation 15

1 If the emissions of VOCs from a tanker are to be regulated in a port or ports or a terminal or terminals under the
jurisdiction of a Party, they shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.

5 A tanker to which paragraph 1 of this regulation applies shall be provided with a vapour emission collection system
approved by the Administration taking into account the safety standards for such systems developed by the
Organization* and shall use the system during the loading of relevant cargoes.

*Refer to Standards for vapour emission control systems (MSC/Circ.585)

Inspection Guidance

The vapour collection systems on board oil and chemical tankers are also variously described as:

Vapour Control Systems (VCS)

The vessel operator should have developed procedures for the inspection, testing and operation of the vapour
collection system which included:

A line diagram of the vessel’s vapour collection piping indicating the locations and purpose of all control and
safety devices.
The initial transfer rate.
The maximum allowable transfer rate as limited by the venting capacity of the pressure or vacuum relief
valves, or any other factor which would limit the transfer rate.
The maximum pressure drop in the vessel’s vapour collection system for various transfer rates.
The relief settings of each pressure and vacuum valve.
Pre-transfer procedures, including tests of P/V valves, tank level gauges and alarms, and high- and low-
pressure alarms.
Procedures to be followed in the event of a fault during vapour collection operations.
Training and familiarisation requirements.

These procedures may be in the form of a dedicated system manual approved by the Flag State or recognised
organisation (such as a class society).

The pressure sensing device in the system should have an indicator and visible and audible high- and low-pressure
alarms at the cargo control room or position.

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This question will only be allocated to:

Oil vessels when HVPQ 9.9.1 “Is a vapour return system fitted?” is answered in the affirmative.
Chemical vessels when the vessel operator had declared through the Pre-inspection questionnaire that the
vessel is fitted with a vapour collection system.

Suggested Inspector Actions

Sight, and where necessary review, the company procedures for the inspection, testing and operation of the
vapour collection system.
Review, if available, the records of cargo operations, including tank pressures, where the vapour control
system had been used.
Review, where necessary, vapour collection system training/familiarisation records.
During the deck inspection:
o Observe the operation, condition and configuration of the vapour collection system.
o Where provided on chemical tankers, inspect any vapour hoses used for direct connection at the
cargo tank.
Verify the satisfactory operation of the visible and audible high- and low-pressure alarms at the cargo control
room or position.

Interview the accompanying officer to verify their familiarity with the company procedures for the inspection,
testing and operation of the vapour collection system.

Expected Evidence

The company procedures for the inspection, testing and operation of the vapour collection system.
The vapour collection system manual.
Cargo operations records and checklists relating to the last occasion the vapour collection system was used.
The maintenance and testing records for any vapour hoses provided on chemical tankers in accordance with
IMO MSC/Circ.585 2.2.1.

Potential Grounds for a Negative Observation

There were no company procedures for the inspection, testing and operation of the vapour collection system
which included:
o A line diagram of the tanker’s vapour collection piping indicating the locations and purpose of all
control and safety devices.
o The initial transfer rate
o The maximum allowable transfer rate as limited by the venting capacity of the pressure or vacuum
relief valves, or any other factor which would limit the transfer rate.
o The maximum pressure drop in the vessel’s vapour collection system for various transfer rates.
o The relief settings of each pressure and vacuum valve.
o Pre-transfer procedures, including tests of P/V valves, tank level gauges and alarms, and high- and
low-pressure alarms.
o Procedures to be followed in the event of a fault during vapour collection operations.
o Training and familiarisation requirements.
The accompanying officer was not familiar with the company procedures for the inspection, testing and
operation of the vapour collection system.
The pressure sensing device in the main vapour collection line was inoperative.
The visible and audible high- and low-pressure alarms at the cargo control room or position were defective
in any respect.
The high- and low-pressure alarms were not set as required by company procedures.
There was no evidence that the person(s) in charge of transfer operations had received suitable
training/familiarisation covering the particular system installed on the tanker.

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 The vapour collection system was not approved by the Flag State or recognised organisation (such as a
class society).
Where vapour hoses were provided onboard chemical tankers in accordance with IMO MSC/Circ.585 2.2.1,
there was no evidence of proper maintenance and testing
The vapour collection system was defective in any respect.

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