Tanker Familiarization Tanker Safety Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of fire suppression system is most commonly used in tanker cargo pump rooms?
- Water sprinkler system
- CO2 or fixed foam system (Correct answer)
- Halon gas system
- Dry powder sprinkler system
Correct answer: CO2 or fixed foam system
Cargo pump rooms typically use CO2 or fixed foam systems because they effectively suppress hydrocarbon fires without damaging electrical equipment.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a vapor recovery system (VRS) on a tanker?
- To recover spilled cargo from the sea surface
- To capture and control cargo vapors during loading to prevent atmospheric release (Correct answer)
- To recondense liquefied gas back into cargo tanks
- To measure vapor pressure inside the cargo tanks
Correct answer: To capture and control cargo vapors during loading to prevent atmospheric release
Vapor recovery systems capture hydrocarbon vapors displaced during cargo loading, preventing pollution and reducing fire/explosion risk at terminals.
Question 3: On a tanker, the term 'overfill protection' refers to:
- A system that prevents seawater from entering cargo tanks
- Independent alarms and shutoffs that prevent cargo tanks from being loaded beyond safe limits (Correct answer)
- Structural reinforcement of the tank top to handle excess cargo weight
- Procedures for transferring excess cargo between tanks
Correct answer: Independent alarms and shutoffs that prevent cargo tanks from being loaded beyond safe limits
Overfill protection systems include independent level sensors and automatic shutoffs that stop loading before a tank can overflow, preventing spills and structural damage.
Question 4: What is the danger of electrostatic discharge in tanker cargo operations?
- It can damage the inert gas generator
- It can ignite flammable vapors during loading or cleaning operations (Correct answer)
- It causes corrosion of the tank coating
- It interferes with navigation equipment
Correct answer: It can ignite flammable vapors during loading or cleaning operations
Static electricity generated during cargo flow or tank cleaning can discharge as a spark in a flammable atmosphere, potentially causing an explosion.
Question 5: A 'closed loading' procedure on a tanker means:
- Loading is done only at night
- Cargo is loaded through closed systems with vapors vented to a recovery system or inerted (Correct answer)
- The cargo tank hatches remain welded shut during loading
- Only one cargo tank is filled at a time
Correct answer: Cargo is loaded through closed systems with vapors vented to a recovery system or inerted
Closed loading keeps the cargo system sealed, routing displaced vapors to a VRS or through inert gas systems, reducing fire risk and atmospheric pollution.
Question 6: What is the purpose of bonding cables used during tanker cargo transfer?
- To secure the cargo hoses to the manifold
- To equalize electrical potential between the ship and terminal, preventing static sparks (Correct answer)
- To ground the inert gas system equipment
- To test the conductivity of the cargo being transferred
Correct answer: To equalize electrical potential between the ship and terminal, preventing static sparks
Bonding cables connect the ship to the shore facility to equalize electrical potential, eliminating the risk of a static discharge spark at the connection point.
Question 7: Which document outlines the agreed safety procedures between a tanker and a shore terminal before cargo operations begin?
- Certificate of Fitness
- Ship/Shore Safety Checklist (Correct answer)
- Dangerous Goods Manifest
- Cargo System Test Log
Correct answer: Ship/Shore Safety Checklist
The Ship/Shore Safety Checklist (SSSCL) is a jointly completed document ensuring both parties agree on safety conditions and procedures before starting cargo transfer.
Tanker Familiarization Tanker Safety Systems 3
Which type of fire suppression system is most commonly used in tanker cargo pump rooms?