ANNEX 7
(2) DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR THE SAMPLING OF FUEL OIL FOR COMBUSTION PURPOSES DELIVERED FOR USE ON BOARD SHIPS
1. Preface
The primary objective of the Guidelines is to establish an agreed method to obtain a representative sample of the fuel oil for combustion purposes delivered for use on board ships.
2. Introduction
The basis for these Guidelines is Regulation 18(3) of Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78 which provides that for each ship subject to regulations 5 and 6 of that Annex, details of fuel oil for combustion purposes delivered to, and used on board, shall be recorded by means of a bunker delivery note which shall contain at least the information specified in appendix V to that Annex. The bunker delivery note shall be accompanied by a representative sample of the fuel oil delivered.
3. Definitions
Bunkering parties means the buyer and seller of the fuel oil delivered.
Representative sample is a product specimen having its physical or chemical characteristics identical to the average characteristics of the total volume being sampled as defined by time, location and method of sampling and retention.
Supplier's Representative is the individual from the bunker tanker who is responsible for the delivery and documentation or, in the case of deliveries direct from the shore to the ship, the person who is responsible for the delivery and documentation.
Ship's Representative is the ship's master or officer in charge who is responsible for receiving bunkers and documentation.
4. Sampling preferences
The order of sampling equipment preferences, based on their likely accuracy performance, is
(a) flow-proportional automatic sampler;
(b) time-proportional automatic sampler;
(c) manual valve-setting continuous-drip sampler; and
(d) tank sampling.
However, use of the manual valve-setting continuous-drip sampler (c) is recognized as common industry practice, albeit only the third listed preference. This acknowledges practical and economical considerations peculiar to the bunker industry.
Unless previously agreed by the bunkering parties, the ship's Representative and the Supplier's Representative should mutually agree upon the method to be adopted for each bunker location covered by their bunker agreement.
