Cargo Handling and Operations Flashcards
7 cards from real Tanker Familiarization practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cargo Handling and Operations flashcards as text
What does 'COW' (Crude Oil Washing) use as its cleaning medium?
Answer: Crude oil from the cargo being discharged
Crude Oil Washing uses the crude oil being discharged as the cleaning medium, directing high-pressure jets of crude oil to dissolve and remove sediment (sludge) from tank surfaces.
A tanker's cargo pump stops unexpectedly during discharge. What is the FIRST action the officer on watch should take?
Answer: Immediately notify the terminal and close the manifold valves
When a cargo pump stops unexpectedly, the immediate priority is to notify the terminal and isolate the manifold to prevent uncontrolled cargo flow, then investigate the cause.
What is the purpose of 'line displacement' or 'pigging' of cargo lines before switching products?
Answer: Removing residual cargo from lines to prevent contamination of the next product
Line displacement or pigging clears cargo remaining in pipelines after pumping, preventing the residue from contaminating the next cargo or causing inaccurate quantity measurements.
Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum oil content permitted for overboard discharge of bilge water from the cargo area (when at sea)?
Answer: 15 ppm
MARPOL Annex I allows overboard discharge of bilge water with an oil content not exceeding 15 parts per million (ppm), provided the vessel is underway and an approved oily water separator is used.
What does 'static accumulator cargo' mean for tanker operations?
Answer: Cargo with low electrical conductivity that can accumulate static charge during transfer
Static accumulator cargoes (such as many petroleum products) have low electrical conductivity, allowing static electricity to build up during pumping and flow, creating ignition risk if not properly managed.
What is the recommended practice for a tanker's cargo pump room ventilation before entering for inspection?
Answer: Run ventilation for at least 10 minutes and test for flammable gas and oxygen levels
Pump rooms should be ventilated for a minimum period (typically 10-15 minutes) before entry, and the atmosphere must be tested for both flammable gases and oxygen deficiency before personnel enter.
What is meant by 'topping off' during tanker loading?
Answer: Adding the final quantity of cargo to bring tanks to their target ullage
Topping off is the final stage of loading where cargo flow is carefully controlled at a reduced rate to bring each tank precisely to its target ullage without overflow.