Phone

+90 (232) 616 1134
+90 (232) 616 0696

Fax

+90 (232) 616 1785

Email Us

info@omegasurvey.com
ops@omegasurvey.com
CONTACT

Bunker Survey

BUNKER SURVEY  (EITHER ON-HIRE BUNKER SURVEY OR OFF-HIRE BUNKER SURVEY)

Our arm for Bunker Survey Detective & Petro Inspect rigorously seeks to maintain its high efficiency in meeting successful and resulted in significant cost savings for our clients.

Our Bunker Survey services minimum 350 ships a year mainly for Off Hire Bunker Survey (Redelivery).

To date we have recovered over 10000’s of Metric tones in un-declared fuel, averted numerous cappuccino bunkers and prevented bribery thus saving charterers and owners millions of dollars! Not only that we also serve as ‘protective surveyors’ on charterer’s or owner’s behalf ensuring no mal-practice takes place during bunkering such as cappuccino bunkers, gravitating of fuel, bribery etc. and at the same time ensuring that only the best marine surveying and business ethics are practiced.

Our bunker fuel concealment detection largely depends on the hands-on approach and practical experience of surveyors and therefore we hire only the best in the industry. Our surveyors being ex-seafarers themselves are well-versed with the various techniques used to conceal bunkers on board.

BUNKER SUPPLY SUPERVISION (BQS) SERVICES;

We perform quantity determination during a bunkering operation.

These general requirements are already part of the SS 600 or ISO 13739 but it is essential that each of our individual surveyor shall duly follow them so as BQS are done with transparency, efficiency, professionalism and independently at following stages.

BEFORE BUNKERING:

  • Introduce yourself clear as surveyor, representative of vessel’s principals for Bunker Survey.
  • Conduct the survey as per concordance with ISO 13739/2009 “Procedures for transfer of bunkers to vessels”.
  • Request the barge Cargo’s Officer not to strip the tanks and to blow the line only after measurements.
  • Go to measure physically all nominated & non-nominated tanks, with C/E or his assistant to witness the gauging.
  • The surveyor must go on board of the barge with his own (certified by a competent and contactable authority) hand tape and thermometer.
  • In presence of C/E and Bunker barge Cargo officer; all tanks are measured by HANDTAPE, including ALL non-nominated tanks, settling, service, overflow and sludge tanks. At least three barge tanks are measured for determination of the supplied fuel temperature. Levels and temperatures taken to be recorded on the Bunker barge sounding ticket. Remote gauging and indications to be recorded, as an additional reference.
  • For ARA: Whessoes have preference to manual gauging results. We ask Ship’s Officer to produce the last calibration date of the Whessoes.
  • If no Whessoes are available we insist to the Ship’s Officer on producing the original of the barge calibration tables with a certified stamp from an approved and recognized body.
  • Hand tape measurement and printed form from barge has to be signed by all parties concerned.

DURING BUNKERING:

  • We closely monitor the smooth undergoing of the bunkering procedure.
  • We observe carefully the bunker hose for any excessive vibrations and “air in liquid” specific sounds.
  • We make checks at random intervals on the bunkering barge, verify the levels in the tanks already declared as empty/stripped and verify carefully the bunker piping for any derivation.

AFTER BUNKERING:

  • We request to C/E a printed form from automatic ships measurement after bunkering, in order to verify if expected volume is approximatively received.
  • We take temperature of fuel received immediately after the bunkering (especially in cold waters).
  • When barge Cargo Officer finish the delivery ensure he announces it to the PIC at the bunker station and stop the delivery WITHOUT BLOWING the lines until the measurements are done and the final figures ascertained (again, this must be established and agreed upon from the beginning)
  • Volume at observed temperature has to be jointly measured by surveyor and C/E.
  • Blowing must be done in only one tank of the vessel for easy gauging.
  • Request the Barge’s Cargo Officer for a printed form to be signed by parties attending: Barge Captain – C/E – Surveyor.
  • We measure the receiving tanks from seagoing vessel. Ullage can be taken, when good reference to reference height as initial measured (tank height).
  • We ask the barge Cargo Officer to open the hatch to visually check the content of each tank in case of suspicion of fraud attempt.
  • Ensure the CE to record on the BDN “For volumes at observed temperatures only, final quantity subject to lab tested density”
  • Advise the CE not to sign any paper if the barge Cargo Officer stops pumping before the final quantity is reached.
  • ln case of too much discrepancy (more than 0,5%, a LOP – Letter Of Protest has to be issued. in case of any doubts:
  • Re-gauge all barge tanks (nominated & non-nominated tanks)
  • Re-gauge all seagoing vessels’ tanks (nominated & non-nominated tanks), including setting tank, daily service tank and overflow tank.

CAPUCCINO BUNKERS:

  • Pay special attention to abnormal noises and vibration of bunker hose, and make note in SOF of the possibility of air mixed in the fuel.
  • Sampling during bunkering:
  • MARPOL Annex VI recommends samples to be taken to the closest point of vessel manifold.
  • We ALWAYS insist in to act with in-line continuous drip sampler at ship’s manifold.
  • ln case of dispute, barge sample is final & binding according delivery conditions of Supplier.
  • If barge Cargo Officer accepts one set of samples at the vessel manifold, agree with all parties how many samples need to be taken for each barge and grade.
  • As the barge sample remains the Official sample, the surveyor is requested to witness the sampling process on the barge side with a ship’s representative.
  • The way of sampling on board the barge must be clearly recorded on the survey report. (any abnormality such as spot sampling, poor sampling and no correct in-line continuous drip sampler method)
  • Seal the sampling cubitainer to avoid any tampering throughout the bunkering process.
  • ln case of LSFO / HSFO deliveries, start with LSFO first.
  • LSFO sampling must starts after 5 minutes flush in order to clean the line.
  • Surveyor and C/E has to be present at distribution of samples.
  • Records seal numbers and write these numbers on “Sample witnessing report”.
  • Sign only the validated sample, witnessed by the surveyor as principals representative.

QUANTITY DISPUTE:

  1. Quantity of the barge alongside is binding for delivered quantity.
  2. C/E is the one only who gives permission that barge leaves alongside. ln case of severe discrepancies, C/E must call a ORDERER bunker desk and ask for a P&I assistance with the assistance of the surveyor.