Section 7 in The Port Rules for the Port Of Visakhapatnam
7. Bunkering of vessels with liquid fuel.
- Bunkering of vessels with petroleum, liquid fuel may be permitted at the quays by means of the service pipe lines, provided that the following conditions shall be fulfilled :(a)During all such time as any vessel is receiving fuel into her bunkers, the Master or First Mate of such vessel shall be present on board and it shall be incumbent upon him to see that these rules are complied with and that all reasonable precautions for safety are observed.(b)A ship's officer shall be on watch and an attendant shall be stationed alongside the flexible connecting pipe while bunkering is in progress.(c)Suppliers of liquid fuel shall be responsible for seeing that all flexible pipes used for bunkering steamers are tested to a pressure of 100 lbs. per square inch before operations commence and that all joints are oil-tight; that after the completion of each bunkering operation the port section of the pipe line is cleared and that when flexible pipes are dismantled any unavoidable spillage on the quay is properly .leaned up with sand. Ship's officers in charge of vessels receiving bunkers shall be responsible for seeing that all valves in ship's tanks or connections are properly regulated to receive liquid fuel and due warning shall always be given to suppliers by such officers before any valves are closed to prevent the possibility of a sudden increase in pressure which may cause a burst in the flexible pipe or elsewhere and a consequent leakage of oil. Masters and owners of vessels receiving liquid fuel and suppliers of liquid fuel for bunkering shall be personally and severally responsible for seeing that bunkering operations are conducted with cleanliness and in an orderly manner.(d)Suppliers of liquid fuel for bunkering shall be liable for any damage whatsoever caused to cargo or property belonging to or in charge of the Traffic Manager by any leakage of fuel oil due to or arising from negligence or any defect in or failure of apparatus or appliances belonging to the suppliers.The master and owners or the agents of the vessel receiving such fuel shall also be liable for any such damage if caused by negligence or defect or failure of apparatus or appliances belonging to the steamer.(e)No cargo other than steel plates, iron rails and similar goods unaffected by oil, shall be allowed on the wharf within 50 feet of the oil stand pipes and shed doors immediately behind them shall be kept closed while bunkering is in progress.(f)Before bunkering commences, the ship's attendant shall see that the telephone connection to the Oil Company's Depot is in working order.(g)An attendant shall be on duty at the pump throughout the time of bunkering.(h)At least two hours' notice in writing shall be given to the Port Conservator before bunkering is commenced.(i)No bunkering shall be commenced unless a sand cart containing 15 cubic feet of sand is on the spot at the supply pipe.
