GUIDE FOR

VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES

APRIL 2006

American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862

Copyright © 2006
American Bureau of Shipping
ABS Plaza
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, TX 77060 USA
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Foreword
ABS has developed this Guide for Vessels with Oil Recovery Capabilities, with the aim of promoting
the safety of vessels and personnel by providing specific requirements for tugboats, supply vessels,
and other vessels which are intended for service in the event of oil spills and are equipped for the
storage of recovered oil floating on the sea. Such vessels may not be equipped with permanent means
for recovering spilled oil floating on the sea and typically do not have fixed piping systems for the
transfer of recovered oil overboard. Oil is recovered from the sea by portable or fixed equipment such
as oil skimmers and is transferred to these vessels by floating suction pumps operating on the sea
surface. Recovered oil is subsequently transferred to shore reception facilities or other vessels by
portable pumps.

ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006 iii
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
GUIDE FOR
VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES

CONTENTS
1 General................................................................................................1
3 Plans and Data ...................................................................................1
5 Operating Manual...............................................................................2
7 Definitions ..........................................................................................2
9 Oil Recovery Capability Class 1 .......................................................3
9.1 Recovered Oil Storage Tanks.............................................................3
9.3 Recovered Oil Storage Tank Openings ..............................................3
9.5 Spill Coaming......................................................................................3
9.7 Support of Oil Recovery Equipment ...................................................3
9.9 Recovered Oil Piping Systems ...........................................................3
9.11 Tank Venting Systems ........................................................................4
9.13 Electrical Equipment and Hazardous Locations .................................4
9.15 Lighting................................................................................................4
11 Oil Recovery Capability Class 2 .......................................................4
11.1 Applicable Requirements ....................................................................4
11.3 Recovered Oil Storage Tank Operations............................................5
13 Surveys ...............................................................................................5
13.1 Annual Surveys...................................................................................5
13.3 Special Periodical Surveys .................................................................5

ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006 v

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
GUIDE FOR
VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES

1 General
The requirements contained in this Guide are intended to promote the safety of tugboats, supply
vessels and other similar vessels, which are intended for service in the event of oil spills and are
equipped for the storage of recovered oil floating on the sea. Application of these requirements is
optional and its compliance is at the request of the vessel's Owner. Unless otherwise noted in this
Guide, relevant requirements contained in the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90
Meters (295 Feet) in Length, (the Under 90m Rules) are to be complied with.
Where requested by the Owner, vessels which are found to be in compliance with the requirements
specified in this Guide and which have been constructed under survey by the Surveyors, will be
assigned and distinguished in the Record with the following class notations:
Oil Recovery Capability Class 1
This notation will be assigned to vessels with portable installations and equipment for transfer of the
oil recovered from the water surface to dedicated storage tanks, or other non-dedicated storage tanks,
and for unloading from the storage tanks to a reception facility, and are built in compliance with the
requirements of this Guide for service in the event of spills of oil of unknown flash point. Example:
À A1 Towing Vessel (Oil Recovery Capability Class 1).
Oil Recovery Capability Class 2
This notation will be assigned to vessels with portable installations and equipment for transfer of the
oil recovered from the water surface to dedicated storage tanks, or other non-dedicated storage tanks,
and for unloading from the storage tanks to a reception facility, and are built in compliance with the
requirements of this Guide for service in the event of spills of oil having, at the time of recovery, a
flash point exceeding 60°C (140°F). Example: À A1 Towing Vessel (Oil Recovery Capability
Class 2).

3 Plans and Data

In addition to the plans required by Section 1-1-7 and 4-1-1/7 of the Under 90m Rules, the following
additional relevant plans and data are to be submitted for approval in triplicate and are to include the
following:
i) Arrangement plan indicating the location of oil recovery and handling equipment and tanks
utilized for recovered oil, including the portable equipment used during oil recovery
operations.
ii) Plan showing arrangement of structural fire protection and location, controls and particulars
of fire extinguishing systems and fire safety equipment.

ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006 1

 iii) Diagrammatic plans of piping systems for handling recovered oil. These plans are to be
accompanied by lists of material, giving size, wall thickness, maximum working pressure and
material of all pipes and the type, size, pressure rating and material of valves and fittings.
iv) Diagrammatic plan of recovered oil tank venting arrangements, including the position of vent
outlets.
v) Diagrammatic plan of recovered oil heating systems, if installed.
vi) Plan showing hazardous locations and electrical equipment in these locations, including
portable electrical equipment connected to the vessel during oil recovery operations, together
with a listing of equipment manufacturers and model names and evidence of certification for
explosion-proof, intrinsically-safe and pressurized equipment. Also, wiring plans, installation
instructions and certification agency restrictions for intrinsically-safe systems.
vii) Plans showing the arrangement of ventilating systems for all hazardous areas along with
complete particulars of the ventilating system, including capacities of fans, number of
complete changes of air per hour, air flows, areas subject to positive or negative pressure, and
location and direction of opening of self-closing doors.
viii) Supporting structures and fastening arrangements for portable equipment applied during oil
recovery operations.

5 Operating Manual
It is incumbent upon the Owner to provide information, instructions, data and training for the oil
recovery operations of the vessel to ensure that the loadings and operational limits upon which the
vessel is designed and classification is based are not exceeded. An Operating Manual is to be placed
aboard the vessel for the guidance of the operating personnel. The Operating Manual is to be
submitted for review by the Bureau solely to ensure that the information included within is consistent
with the design information and limitations considered in the vessel’s classification. The Bureau is
not responsible for the operation of the vessel. The Operating Manual is to include the following:
i) Operation and maintenance procedures, including a checklist of the steps to be taken in
preparation for oil recovery operations;
ii) Equipment, capacity data, and particulars on operation of the vessel during oil recovery
operations;
iii) Instructions to confirm that all portable equipment taken onboard is certified for use in gas
hazardous atmospheres;
iv) Instructions for mounting and fastening of non-permanent equipment;
v) Instructions for blanking-off of pipes;
vi) Instructions for assembling of portable air pipes;
vii) A list of all electrical equipment to be disconnected when carrying out oil recovery operations;
viii) Procedure for cleaning tanks used during recovery operations.

7 Definitions
The definitions of terms in Section 5-11-2 of the Under 90m Rules are to be understood (in the
absence of other specifications) where they appear in this Guide.

2 ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006

9 Oil Recovery Capability Class 1
Vessels with the assigned Oil Recovery Capability Class 1 notation are to be constructed in
accordance with the requirements of Sections 5-11-3 and 5-11-4 of the Under 90m Rules, except as
modified below.

9.1 Recovered Oil Storage Tanks

Tanks primarily used for purposes other than oil recovery (e.g., ballast, fuel oil, fresh water, etc.),
excluding forepeak tanks, may be used for the storage of recovered oil during oil recovery operations.
Such tanks need not be isolated from adjacent steering gear or thruster rooms by a cofferdam,
provided the following are complied with:
i) The tanks are to be arranged so that no common bulkheads with accommodation and main
propulsion machinery spaces are provided.
ii) The tank bulkheads adjacent to the steering gear or thruster room are to be readily accessible
for inspection, constructed without any penetrations and have any butts or seams reduced to a
minimum and all joints full penetration welded.
iii) The piping and control systems related to these tanks are not to be routed through the steering
gear or thruster room. No equipment associated with oil recovery is to be located in the
steering gear or thruster room.
iv) The ventilation system of the steering gear or thruster room adjacent to these tanks is to be
capable of providing at least twenty (20) air changes per hour based on the gross volume of
the space.

9.3 Recovered Oil Storage Tank Openings

Suitable openings to facilitate tank cleaning and gas freeing of the recovered oil storage tanks are to
be provided. These openings, together with any openings for the deployment of portable pumps and
hoses, are to be located on the open deck.

9.5 Spill Coaming

The spill coaming required in 5-11-3/7 of the Under 90m Rules may be of the removable type.

9.7 Support of Oil Recovery Equipment

The strength of the supporting structures and fastening arrangements of equipment applied during oil
recovery operations may be based on the assumption that the oil recovery operations will take place in
moderate sea conditions.

9.9 Recovered Oil Piping Systems

i) Recovered oil transfer piping systems may consist of movable pipe sections or hoses, in
which case the use of portable transfer pumps is acceptable.
ii) Where the transfer of recovered oil to and from recovered oil storage tanks is carried out by
means of movable piping or flexible hoses, suitable flanged connections are to be used.
iii) Piping connections of systems not related to the oil recovery operations are to be provided
with blanking arrangements at the recovered oil storage tanks for isolation before recovered
oil is transferred into the tanks. The blanking devices are to be fitted to the nearest detachable
pipe connections at the tank.

ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006 3

9.11 Tank Venting Systems
Portable vent pipes for the recovered oil storage tanks, intended for use during oil recovery operations
only, are acceptable.

9.13 Electrical Equipment and Hazardous Locations

9.13.1 Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Locations

In addition to the hazardous locations defined in 5-11-2/11 of the Under 90m Rules, enclosed
or semi-enclosed spaces in which equipment for handling of recovered oil is located (such as
portable pumps and hoses) are considered hazardous locations. Electrical equipment and
wiring installed in these spaces should comply with the requirements applicable to electrical
equipment and wiring in the hazardous locations defined in 5-11-2/11iii) of the Under 90m
Rules.

9.13.2 Electrical Equipment Not Intended To Be Used During Oil Recovery Operations
Electrical equipment located in hazardous locations that is not intended to be used during oil
recovery operations and does not meet 5-11-4/9 of the Under 90m Rules (for example, not of
the following types: intrinsically safe, pressurized enclosure, approved explosion proof) may
be permitted, provided the location is considered hazardous only during oil recovery
operations. Further, the arrangements are to meet the following requirements.
i) The electrical equipment is considered nonessential (see 4-6-1/3.3 of the Under 90m
Rules for primary essential and secondary essential services) and is not to be used
during oil recovery operations.
ii) A detailed list of such equipment in each hazardous area is to be submitted for
review.
iii) The electrical equipment as submitted for review in item ii) above is to be arranged so
that it cannot be energized when any oil recovery equipment is energized. Once
deenergized, specific action by the crew is required to reenergize the equipment.
iv) The oil recovery operating manual is to clearly indicate the following:
a) The systems that are deenergized during oil recovery operations and the
procedure to be followed.
b) The instructions and procedures to be followed relative to the cleaning and
gas freeing of the oil recovery tanks in order to reset the electrical equipment
to its original state after oil recovery operations are completed.

9.15 Lighting
The deck area where handling of hoses and equipment for recovered oil takes place is to be provided
with adequate lighting.

11 Oil Recovery Capability Class 2

Vessels with the assigned Oil Recovery Capability Class 2 notation are to be constructed in
accordance with the requirements of Section 5-11-5 of the Under 90m Rules, except as modified
below.

11.1 Applicable Requirements (15 September 2006)

The requirements of 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 9.11 and 9.15 of this Guide are applicable.

4 ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006

11.3 Recovered Oil Storage Tank Operations
Suitable openings to facilitate the cleaning and inspection of storage tanks may be located in enclosed
spaces.

13 Surveys

13.1 Annual Surveys

At each Annual Survey, in addition to surveys of hull, machinery and equipment otherwise required
by the ABS Rule Requirements for Survey After Construction, the survey requirements for Oil
Recovery Vessels are applicable. Additionally, arrangements and systems for oil recovery operation
are to be generally examined and confirmed in a satisfactory condition such that they are readily
available for oil recovery operation in accordance with the operating manual.

13.3 Special Periodical Surveys

In addition to the survey requirements of hull, machinery and equipment otherwise required by the
ABS Rule Requirements for Survey After Construction for Special Periodical Survey and the
requirements of 13.1 of this Guide, the recovered oil Storage tanks are to be specially examined and
pressure tested at every Special Periodical Survey.

ABS GUIDE FOR VESSELS WITH OIL RECOVERY CAPABILITIES . 2006 5

This Page Intentionally Left Blank