4.4 PREPARATIONS FOR DISCHARGE

At the end of the loaded passage, the tanker must be ready in all respects to discharge its cargo 'with utmost dispatch' and best possible outturn. This will only be possible if all of the equipment and programs necessary to perform the discharge are ready and fully functional and if the crew is properly instructed in their duties and competent to complete them.
Any maintenance work needed by the main cargo pumps, pumproom or deck lines or valves, cargo stripping pumps, ballast pumps, or cargo tanks should be completed before the vessel's arrival at the discharge port.
Necessary calibration checks of the tank gauging equipment, cargo system monitoring equipment and IGS instrumentation should be completed and recorded in the maintenance program.
The chief officer must prepare his discharge plan (with associated ballasting plan) and his crude oil washing plan (if COW is to be conducted). The plan must be reviewed and approved by the master and distributed to the cargo watch officers.
The chief officer should label, lash, or seal all cargo valve wheels or controls as necessary to facilitate implementation of the discharge plan.
Any maintenance work required to the cargo hose derricks/crane and the cargo manifold must be completed and logged. If derrick tackle is replaced, the. certificates for the new equipment should be entered in the tackle book and placed in the tackle file, removing the certificate for the old equipment.
Oil adsorbent, sample bottles and caps, and other consumable deck stores necessary for the discharge operation should be inventoried, and any needed materials ordered through the owners or agent for delivery on arrival.