Following the measures implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing is amongst the most important ones; Thus, aiming to continue efficient bunkering operations, the American Club published the following elements of best practice, taking account of Chapter 1 of the Club’s Bunkering—A Compendium.
Specifically, the American Club focuses on the tips below:
1. “social distancing” measures already recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be implemented – individuals standing at least six feet (two meters) apart from each other;
2. all involved should wear the proper PPEs including masks, goggles, and gloves
3. the bunker station should be disinfected before and after the operation. All vessels should already be equipped with disinfectants appropriate for COVID-19. Disinfection should include flanges, ends of bunker hoses, valve handles, handrails, platforms etc. If a vessel does not have chlorine-based disinfectants, they should be ordered from appropriate suppliers;
4. the ends of bunker hoses and flanges should be disinfected as soon as hoses are swung aboard;
5. gangways, handrails and access areas should be cleaned and disinfected;
6. shore personnel should not be allowed into the vessel’s accommodation other than at a designated place such as the cargo control room, stevedores’ offices, etc. which are specifically identified as areas under hygienic control;
7. when bunkering, no physical contact should be made with barge personnel, and all paperwork should be handled with latex gloves;
8. crew members should be reminded to wear PPE at all times when taking drip samples and drip sample equipment should always be disinfected prior to use;
9. sample bottles should be disinfected before they are handed to shore personnel;
10. all coveralls should be laundered following completion of the bunkering operation.
In the meantime, the Club proposes that cameras and video recorders can be used, replacing the physical presence of personnel on site during bunkering and fuel sampling operations.
If cameras or video recorders are to be used, a protocol should be established for how these recordings are shared between the shipowner, charterer and the bunker supplier,
… the Club highlighted.
