20 Hazards on Oil Tanker Ships Every

Seafarer Must Know

By Anish | In: Guidelines, Marine Safety | Last Updated on October 20, 2019

The world runs on oil and so do the ships which transport this oil around the world. The
ships that are used for transportation of liquefied cargo in bulk are popularly known as
tanker ships. Out of all tanker vessels sailing at sea, the most extensively used is the oil
tanker ship.

Oil Tankers can be broadly classified into two types:

Crude oil tanker ship: These types of vessels are bigger in size; e.g. VLCC tanker or
ULCC tanker and are used to carry a large amount of unrefined crude oil from one port
to another. They mainly transfer the unrefined product from the source to the refineries.

Product tanker ship: This type of vessel is mainly used to transport refined oil. They
are smaller in size as compared to crude oil tankers.

Related Reading: Different Types Of Tankers

Considering the hazardous nature of the cargo these types of vessels carry, a
seafarer working on an oil tanker ship has to be extra vigilant and also need more
extensive safety training as compared to that for a dry ship (container or bulk carrier
ship). Not all cargo carried by different types of tanker ships is dangerous, but all of
them have some risks involved.

Needless to say, it’s of extreme importance that seafarers who are working on any type
of tanker ship, whether VLCCs or ULCCs tanker or a small product tanker, must
acknowledge and validate various occupational risks involved on a tanker ship.

Listed below are 20 hazards related to an oil tanker ship which a seafarer must be
aware of:

Flammability:
1. Cargo: Cargoes carried on tanker ships are flammable in nature as most of them
release some types of gases which may form a combustible mixture composed of
hydrocarbons. A flammable mixture contains 1 – 10% hydrocarbon gas by volume and
the rest is air.

2. Smoking: Several incidents of fire in the past have occurred because of smoking in
prohibited areas. A seafarer must always follow all the instructions on smoking and
should smoke only in the designated areas where it is permitted. Avoid taking
cigarettes, matches or lighters out on the deck. (Note- As we write this, most of the
shipping companies have prohibited smoking on their vessels.)

Static electricity:

3. Static electricity charge in the tank: On an oil tanker, this phenomenon might not
be that dangerous as electricity is earthed to the ship’s hull. However, in case a charge
remains in the tank, a metal object brought into the tank may generate a spark, resulting
in an explosion. Thus, always check for earthing before taking any metal object, tools,
or sounding tape inside a tank.

4. Steam: Steam should not be injected into a compartment or piping system which
contains a flammable mixture, as high-velocity water droplets in a jet of steam may
become charged while passing through a nozzle and can produce a charged mist.

5. CO2: The fixed CO2 fire fighting system is installed to suppress the fire by spraying
CO2 at high velocity. It will rapidly evaporate, and then cool and form particles of solid
carbon dioxide, which may become electrostatically charged.

Related Reading: 30 Ways To Make Cargo Operation on Tankers Safer

Personal Equipment Hazards:

6. Unapproved Torches: It is common practice among seafarers to carry their own

torches when joining a new vessel. In an oil tanker ship, only EEX-approved flashlights
are to be used at all times.

7. Mobile Phones/ Camera: Never carry a personal GSM mobile phone, camera and
other similar equipment to open deck as they may cause sparks and ignite any
flammable gas.

Related Reading: Why Are Intrinsically Safe Cameras Used On Tanker Ships?

Tools:
8. Unapproved power tool: Electrical equipment and power tools are widely used in
daily ship operations. In oil tanker ships, use only intrinsically safe electrical equipment
at all times.

9. Hand tool: Metal tools are a common source of spark if they fall or come in contact
with another tool, deck surface or any other metal surface. Use such tools only in the
safe area (such as the open deck) after inspected by a responsible officer.

Non-sparking tools are available but they can be hazardous as ferrous metals (which
can cause sparks) might be embedded in the material. All non-sparking tools on the
ship must be inspected for any hard substances embedded in the softer non-ferrous
material.

Aluminium:

10. Aluminium Equipment/ tools: Aluminium metal against a rusty surface leads to
increase in the temperature of the surface. Avoid using equipment and tools made out
of aluminium in hazardous areas. In the galley, aluminium utensils (e.g. ladle or spade)
should not be used.

11. Aluminium Paint: Similarly, aluminium paint will have the same effect as explained
above on a rusty surface when another metal is rubbed or banged on it.

Cathode protection unit:

12. Anodes: Anodes are installed inside tanks of a tanker ship to avoid corrosion.
Never drop or let the anode hit the tank surface as it may create a spark – a source of
ignition for flammable gases.
Related Reading: Understanding Sacrificial Anodes On Ships

Harmful mixture:

13. Inert gas: Inert gas is considered as the main source to prevent fire on an oil tanker
ship. It is, however, harmful to the humans when inhaled. A poor quality inert gas,
having high CO2 content, can react with ammonia, causing carbamate formation

14. H2S: Hydrogen sulphide usually is present in crude oil, naphtha, fuel oil and gas
oils. Its concentrations are generally lowered before loading it on a tanker vessel with
unique stabilisation methods. Still, even a small amount of H2S can be highly toxic,
corrosive and flammable at low levels. It is colourless gas with a smell of rotten eggs.
Exposure to high levels of H2S can be fatal even for a very brief period of time.

15. Corrosivity: Crude oil carried in a ULCC tanker or petrol in a product tanker are
pre-treated to remove the salts such as chlorides of calcium, magnesium and sodium,
and other impurities that are corrosive. If present, these salt will react and release
harmful liquid or gases which may attack human tissue.

Related Reading: 7 Dangerous Diseases / Disorders Seafarers Must Know

 Representation Image – Photograph by Adolfo Pastor González
Weather:

16. Wind: Wind speed plays an important factor in safe cargo operation on an oil tanker
ship. If the wind speed is very low or nil, the vapours released or purged will not
disperse and persist on deck, resulting in a flammable situation.

Also, a strong wind may create low pressure on the lee side of a deckhouse or structure
and thereby cause vapour to be carried towards it.

The responsible officer of the tanker ship must take a call to carry out the cargo
operation in such situations.

17. Lightning: If there is an electrical storm in the vicinity of the ship, the cargo
operations must be stopped immediately.
Related Reading: 7 Important Points For Safe Lightering Operations On Ship

Oxygen deficiency:

18. Enclosed space: Ther are several enclosed spaces on ships, and the number
increases further for an oil tanker ship. Pumproom of a tanker ship is considered to be
an enclosed area, and all entry precaution must be taken by the seafarers before
entering, as it is one of the most frequently visited confined space.

Needless to say, for tanker cleaning or inspection, all the enclosed space precautions
must be taken by the crew.

Related Reading: Procedure For Entering Enclosed Space On Ships

Repair work:

19. Hot work: Hot work is considered to be one of the most dangerous operations on a
ship, and when it comes to a tanker ship, the hazardous level increases drastically.
Seafarers conducting the operation not only have to follow all the precautions on the
location (by ensuring no hazardous environment) and adjacent places but also have to
ensure the wires used for equipment used on ships do not pass through flammable
areas and are intrinsically safe.

Under hot work, all operations such as gas cutting, sandblasting, electrical arc
welding and use of spark generating tools are included.

No hot work must be undertaken inside a compartment until it has been cleaned and
ventilated. The atmosphere tests in the chamber should indicate 21% oxygen content
by volume, not more than 1% LFL, and must be free from toxic gases. It is essential to
continue ventilation during the operation.

Related Reading: 20 Practical Tips For Safe Gas Welding and Cutting Operations On
Ships

Pollution:

20. Spillage: Oil Spill hazard is not precisely related to the tanker ship only, but it can
majorly affect the marine environment near the vessel. History shows that almost all
major pollution at sea were a result of accidents on tanker ships.