Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Concealed Fuel in Bunker Tanks

by Kaivan H. Chinoy, Petro Inspect / The Bunker Detectives
Thursday November 21, 2013

Verify the number and location of all bunker tanks onboard including overflow tank; sludge tank etc., ensuring it corresponds with the tank capacity diagram.

Note: Refer to supplements to Marpol I/VI Certificates. This will indicate the exact number and capacities of sludge tank, drain tank, residue tank, waste oil tank, bilge tank etc.

A surveyor might come across some tanks as being declared empty.

We have heard all sorts of excuses like: The tank is not in use as it contains only sludge or the heating coils have been damaged and the tank emptied out and not in use (check paper trail to find out if the operators have been informed of this or any repair work scheduled for dry dock, check log books etc.)

In any case investigate further by opening manhole covers for tanks that have been declared empty or containing sludge or other reasons.