Section 5 in The Madras Port Petroleum Rules, 1963
5. Vessels carrying Petroleum in bulk.
(1)No vessel with dangerous petroleum in bulk on board shall enter the enclosed harbour. Such vessel shall be berthed/ discharged only at the Petrol Berth, situated outside the enclosed harbour.This sub-rule shall not apply to ships carrying on board less than 150 gallons of dangerous petroleum as part of the ship's stores (but not as cargo), if such dangerous petroleum is carried in appropriate receptacles other than the ship's cargo tanks and is stored in a safe manner.(2)No vessel shall enter the enclosed harbour from the Petrol Berth after having discharged dangerous petroleum, until the tanks which contained dangerous petroleum have been gas-freed and a a certificate has been obtained by the Master from an officer appointed in this behalf by Government, to the effect that such officer has, after examination with the aid of vapour testing instrument, found the vessel to be entirely clear of dangerous petroleum and petroleum vapour.Such certificates shall be exhibited at the gangway of the vessel.(3)Vessels carrying only non-dangerous or heavy petroleum and vessels carrying less than 150 gallons of dangerous petroleum to which sub-rule (1) does not apply may proceed direct to one of the oil berths inside the harbour or to any other other berth specially indicated by the Deputy Port Conservator and may discharge their cargo from such berths subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Deputy Port Conservator may impose from time to time.But when barges containing explosives lie alongside East Quay or are discharging at East Quay, the outermost tanker berth inside the North Harbour wall shall not be used for petroleum tankers.(4)If so required by the Deputy Port Conservator, a bulk oil vessel alongside an oil berth shall, at any time and from time to time, be removed to any anchorage appointed for bulk oil vessels; and when the petroleum has been discharged, the vessel shall as soon as possible, leave the oil berth and proceed to sea or to any other anchorage indicated by the Deputy Port Conservator provided that she may, with the permission of the Deputy Port Conservator, clean her tanks alongside subject to the restriction laid down in sub-rule (2).(5)Bulk petroleum vessels lying within the port limits shall always take all possible precautions to prevent discharge of oil, oily water or oily refuse on to the shore or into the sea.(6)Cleaning the tanks which contained petroleum shall be carried out within the Port limits, only with permission in writing of the Deputy Port Conservator. During such cleaning, the Master of the vessel shall take particular care to ensure that sub-rule (5) is strictly observed.(7)Bulk petroleum vessels shall not carry out any repairs within the Port limits without the permission in writing of the Deputy Port Conservator. Such permission maybe given only on production by the Master of such vessel of a 'gas-free certificate' obtained in the manner as stipulated in sub-rule (2).(8)Vessels carrying petroleum in bulk shall, whilst within the Port limits, exhibit conspicuously(a)from sunrise to sunset a red flag not less than three feet square with a white circular centre six inches in diameter, if dangerous petroleum is carried and a red flag not less than three feet square, if non-dangerous petroleum is carried; and(b)from sunset to sunrise, a red light.(9)Every bulk oil vessel having petroleum other than heavy petroleum on board as cargo whilst moored in the Port, shall keep the end of wire hawser having a large eye paid out to the water's edge at bow and quarter, to enable a tug to take hold in case of emergency.(10)During the time that any bulk oil vessel is in the Port, a responsible officer and an Engineer shall always be on board, night and day, to carry out and give effect to these rules.When discharging is proceeding or about to be started, it is absolutely essential that an officer who holds a certificate of competency not lower than First Mate and an Engineer, who holds a certificate of competency not lower than Second Engineer shall be on board. Each of these officers shall have at least twelve years service in sea going oil tank vessels to his credit. These officers shall see that all necessary precautions are taken for the safety of the vessel and her cargo. During all such time the machinery shall be maintained in working order so that the vessel can be moved (i.e. as soon as steam can be raised, in the case of vessels discharging dangerous petroleum, if so required by the Deputy P9rt Conservator. Provided that where a vessel. has power to work her anchor cables and mooring lines, she may not be required to maintain her main engines in working conditions during landing of petroleum.(11)Any vessel, having petroleum (dangerous or non-dangerous or both) in bulk on board for discharge partly at the Port and partly at a port or ports other than Madras, shall not in any circumstances move the dangerous petroleum intended for other ports from the tank or tanks containing it for any purpose whatsoever without the special permission of the Deputy Port Conservator.(12)Two or more vessels having petroleum other than heavy petroleum on board shall not, except for the purpose of transhipment, lie within 100 feet of one another, unless in the opinion of the Deputy Port Conservator, it is impracticable to maintain such distance.
