Saudi Aramco

Marine Department
JuneJ2017

Marine Safety Flyer #03

CLEANING OF SEA CHESTS

The purpose of this flyer is to highlight the necessity of increased cleaning of strainers and filters
within vessel's sea chests.

Over the last few years it has been observed that the summer months in the Arabian Gulf bring a
large influx in jelly fish. The impact of this will directly result in the blocking of vessel's sea chest
strainers which severely restricts the intake of cooling water, which in turn leads to increased main
engine and generator operating temperatures and can ultimately cause a vessel to black out.

In addition to the condition mentioned above, this can be worsened by the intake of sea grass for
vessels working in shallow water areas.

The risk of blocking the sea chests can be mitigated by implementing the below measures:
1. Cleaning of the sea chests strainers before port arrival and after port departure - to be
included in the pre-arrival and departure checklists
2. Sea chests cleaning schedule should be implemented into the PMS and regularly
checked. This schedule should be increased during the summer months
3. If applicable, suction from the low sea chest strainer should be employed in deeper waters
and suction from the high sea chest employed in shallow water areas
4. Filters can be used both in low pressure (suction) and discharge (high pressure) side of
the system. The schedule is normally included in the planned maintenance system on
board
5. Marine Growth Preventive System - Anti-fouling system on the vessel should be
operational and daily records maintained.
6. The back flushing system fitted on the main sea water line should be operational and
frequently used.
7. Vessels should have spare strainers ready to use in order to allow ease of cleaning .
8. When a vessel is alongside in port or at anchorage: where applicable, one sea chest
strainer should be cleaned and isolated until the vessel is ready to depart

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MOHAMMAD A. AL-SULTAN, Manager
Marine Department (A)