The area of the ship at the very bottom of the hull is known as the bilge. The bilge is the area water collects from varios operational sources such as water lubricated shaft seals, propulsion system cooling, evaporators, and other machinery. Oil that leaks from engines and machinery is also collected in the bilges, In order to maintain ship stability and eliminate potentially hazadous conditions from oil zapors in engine and machinery spaces, the bilge spaces must be periodically pumpud dry.
The bilge water that is pumped from these spaces must be treated prior to discharge to meet both international reagulations (MARPOL) and, Unites States regulations. Thaese regulations require that the oil content of the descharged water to be less than 15 parts per million and that it not leave a visible sheen on the surface of the water. Discharge of treated bilge water is porhibites in special areas, where all discharge of oil is prohibited.
Consistent with our Above and Beyond Compliance policy, the company uses a treatment system tha cleans the oily water to less than 5 parts per million. Treated bilge water is discharged 12 natical miles and only if the oil content is less tha 5 parts per million.
bilge water
TONS OF TREATED BILGE WATER PER SHIP/ PER WEEK:
Mnimum: 21
Maximum: 100
Average: 70
The treatment of oily bilge water produces an oily sludge as waste. In addition, used oils, lubricants and fuel filtering sludges are generated from the ship's operation. These waste protucts are collected as sludges and are landed, generally for recycling. They may also be burned in the ship's incinerator.
The US and international requirements prohibit discharge of these sludges at sea, but make no specific requirements fot treatment after landing. Consistent with our Above and Beyond Compliance goals, over 99.5% of these sludges are landed for recucling.
oily sludge
TONS OF SLUDGE PER WEEK RECYCLED PER SHIP/ PER WEEK:
Mnimum: 4
Maximum: 56
Average: 30
