The Shipowners Club has issued a bulletin on sampling procedures for inland craft after an increase in liquid cargo contamination incidents occurring on inland vesselsIn many incidents it was noted that the vessel’s crew did not obtain/retain any cargo samples. The Club acknowledges that sampling is not a regulatory requirement for some inland vessels however, it is a vital source of evidence to best protect the operator’s interests in the event of a cargo contamination claim.
The Club recommends the following advice is taken into account.
Samples should be drawn in the following circumstances:
Before loading
- Sampling equipment must be clean and suitable
- Particular care should be taken when sampling sensitive cargoes
At the start of loading
One sample should be drawn from the cargo manifold for each grade being loaded.
During loading
One sample should be drawn from each of the vessel’s tanks when approximately 25cm (or one ‘foot’) has been loaded into the tank.
At the start of discharge
One sample should be drawn from each cargo manifold for each and every grade.
Sample management Examination of samples
All Samples must visually be examined when they are drawn and they must be checked for:
- ƒ Water
- Particles
- Colour
- ƒ Odour
Labelling
Labels are to be fixed to each sample receptacle showing: ƒ
- Name of ship ƒ Port and berth number ƒ
- Grade of product, and load or discharge operation ƒ
- Date and time ƒ
- Name, rank and signature of the sampler ƒ
- Name and signature of a witness
Retention
It is recommended that samples are retained for a minimum of three months, or until the cargo has been delivered without complaint (whichever is the longer). Samples must be kept in a designated space, locked up and out of direct sunlight.
Disposal
Samples must only be disposed of in a proper way and in accordance with environmental legislation. Samples must not, under any circumstances, be dumped into the sea. The Club recommends the vessel’s slop tank can be utilised for disposal of samples. When disposing of samples the labels must be removed from the receptacles.
Further details may be found be reading the Bulletin below
Source: Shipowners P&I Club
