LOCATION OF TANK WASHING HEATERS

(MERC/Circ.286
 on 24 November 1994)

Interpretation of paragraph 4.1.6
 of the Revised COW Specifications

1. The IMO Assembly adopted the Revised Specifications for the Design, Operation and Control of Crude Oil Washing Systems by resolution A.446(XI) and the agreed interpretations for the Revised COW Specifications are contained in Appendix III of the Revised COW Specifications.

2. Upon the recommendation of the thirty—seventh session of the Sub —Committee on Design and Equipment (DE 37), the thirty—sixth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee approved the proposed new interpretation of paragraph 4.1.6 of the Revised COW Specifications, as agreed by DE 37, and instructed the Secretariat to issue it as MEPC/Circ.286 (MEPC 36/22, paragraph 7.2). The agreed interpretation is therefore set out at annex to this circular.

ANNEX.
LOCATION OF TANK WASHING HEATERS

Interpretation of paragraph 4.1.6
 of the Revised COW Specifications

"4.1.6 On new oil tankers the steam heater referred to shall be located outside of the machinery spaces if it has permanent piping connection to the crude oil washing system. If the heater and wash water supply source are located in the machinery spares and so arranged that they can only be connected to the tank washing system when that system is completely and unmistakably disconnected from the cargo system, the heater and the supply source are not regarded as part of the crude oil washing system. The conned ion arrangements to the tank washing system must be arranged in the cargo tank area. On an existing oil tanker with an existing steam heater located in the machinery spaces no additional isolation will be required other than that which isolates the crude oil washing system from the machinery spaces."