Section 8 in The Madras Port Petroleum Rules, 1963
8. Conditions of landing of Petroleum in bulk.
(1)A bulk oil vessel shall discharge dangerous petroleum, under her own power, only after obtaining special permission from the Deputy Port Conservator. Such vessel shall be permitted to discharge petroleum under its own power, only subject to the conditions stipulated in rule 7.A certificate signed by the Master or owner of such vessel to the effect that all the safety devices referred to in rule 7 are in good working conditions, shall accompany the application for permission to discharge petroleum under the ship's own power.(2)(a)A bulk oil vessel shall commence discharging of dangerous petroleum, only during the day time, but a vessel which has commenced the discharge before sunset may continue to discharge even after sunset, provided that such discharging is continuous and without interruption. Should anything occur after sunset, which necessitates the repair or disconnection to the plant, pipes or connections, such discharge shall be discontinued until after sunrise.(b)In the case of interruption to pumping after sunset due to any reasons, other than those stated in Cl. (a) above, the Deputy Port Conservator may, at his discretion, grant special permission to re-commence pumping even during the night time. Discharge of dangerous petroleum interrupted or suspended after sunset, shall on no account, be re-commenced until after sunrise, without the permission of the Deputy Port Conservator.(3)Every time before any bulk oil vessel commences discharging of petroleum, the pipelines through which such petroleum is to be pumped (from ship to terminal) shall be tested for 10 to 15 minutes by pumping through water at 100 lbs. pressure per square inch.(4)Under no conditions shall petroleum be pumped through the pipelines at pressure exceeding 100 lbs. per square inch.This maximum pressure shall not be applied to the pipelines until one hour after commencement of discharge of petroleum.(5)Throughout the period that petroleum is being discharged, the floating pipelines shall be under constant supervision by a responsible employee of the owner of such petroleum.(6)A bulk oil vessel berthed at the petrol berth or at any of the oil berths inside the harbour for purpose of discharging petroleum shall discharge such cargo with due diligence, i.e., at the rate of not less than 1,200 tons in 24 hours, provided the pressure allowed permits of a rate of discharge of 50 tons per pumping hour.Failure to discharge petroleum at the above rate may render the vessel liable to be removed from the berth at the discretion of the Deputy Port Conservator.(7)Except in cases where discharge is interrupted to shift the vessel concerned from one berth to another in according with the orders of any competent authority, the discharge of petroleum in bulk shall be continuous day and night until completed, weather and appliances permitting.(8)If for any cause discharge of petroleum is at any time suspended, arrangements shall be made by some efficient means to prevent any of the oil in the pipe-line from escaping.(9)In the event of its being necessary to interrupt pumping in order to raise steam on board, the oil pipes in the vicinity of the vessel shall be flushed with water and the valve at the junction of flexible and fixed pipe ashore shall be closed before the boiler fires are lighted.(10)When a vessel has finished discharging or loading petroleum, the pipe to the storage tanks shall immediately be emptied of petroleum by the vessel's pump flushing water at least as far as the valve house on shore.The same procedure shall also be observed every time pumping is suspended for any reason whatsoever.
