Section 15 in The Madras Port Petroleum Rules, 1963
15. Bunkering.
-Bunkering of vessels with heavy petroleum at the West and North Quays by means of the Trustees' service pipelines, shall be allowed subject to the conditions specified hereunder, namely:(a)During all such time, as any vessel is receiving heavy petroleum into her bunkers, the Master or First Mate of such vessel shall be present on board. It shall be his duty to see that the conditions specified in 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 connection pipe while bunkering is in progress.(c)Suppliers of heavy petroleum shall be responsible for seeing that all flexible pipes used for bunkering are tested to a pressure of 30 lbs. per square inch before operations commence, and that all joints are oil tight, that when flexible pipes are dismantled, any unavoidable spillage on the quay shall be properly cleansed up with sand. No bunkering shall be commenced until their supplier has delivered to the Trustees a certificate to the effect that all flexible pipes to be sued in the operation have been tested as required by this rule. Officers-in-charge of vessels which receive heavy petroleum for bunkering shall be responsible for seeing that all valves in the vessel's tanks connections are properly regulated to receive the petroleum and due warning shall always be given to suppliers by ship's 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. Owners of vessels which receive heavy petroleum for bunkering and suppliers, shall be severally responsible for seeing that bunkering operations are conducted with cleanliness and in an orderly manner and any damage resulting from neglect of all proper precautions shall render them liable under clause (d).(d)Suppliers of heavy petroleum for bunkering shall be liable for any damage whatsoever caused to cargo or property belonging to or in charge of the Trustees by any leakage of such petroleum 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 vessels receiving heavy petroleum shall also be liable for any such damage if caused by negligence or defect or failure of apparatus or appliances belonging to the vessel.(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 vessel's attendant shall see that the telephone connection to the Oil Company's depots is in working order.(g)An attendant shall be on duty at the .pump throughout the time of bunkering.(h)At least two hour's notice in writing shall be given to the Deputy Port Conservator before bunkering is commenced.(i)No bunkering shall be commenced unless a sand cart containing 15 c.f.t. of sand is on the spot at the supply pipe. This would be the responsibility of the Oil Company supplying the oil for bunkering.
