3.17 INSPECTIONS AT START OF LOADING

When the cargo loading is well started, the cargo watch officer and his watch must conduct the inspections and checks required by their particular vessel. As a general rule, the following inspections and checks should be made:

3.17.1 Pumproom
If cargo is being loaded through the pumproom cargo lines, the pumproom must be inspected immediately after cargo is started. All precautions for pumproom entry must be observed, with special emphasis on ventilation, communication, testing and standby personnel. All rescue apparatus must be checked and ready for immediate use. Pumproom ventilation must be in operation for 15 minutes before beginning the tests/inspections to provide safe entry. All of these precautions are essential, since even a small drain line left open or packing gland leak can introduce a large amount of cargo and explosive vapour into the pumproom in a short time. Inspection points include pump seals, valve glands, drain cocks/valves and strainers.
Even if the pumproom lines are not being used, the pumproom should be inspected as early as possible to ensure that there is no leakage.
Inspect the pumproom hourly while loading, using the required pumproom entry precautions. Enter the pumproom inspection details, results and time in the logbook.

3.17.2 Other tanks
Each idle tank adjoining a tank being loaded should be checked for cargo. On a non-inerted product tanker this is relatively easy. The deck watch personnel simply look into the tank using a bright hand lantern at night, or a hand mirror and reflected sunlight by day.
On inerted and closed-loading ships, the cargo watch officer must be more patient, carefully observing the ullage gauges on the idle tanks for any indication of change. Where the cargo officer is working with a digital display in the CCR, it is useful to use a 'whiteboard marker' to mark the ullage gauge readings for the idle tanks next to the gauge indications. By frequent checks of the 'dry' readings against the gauges, the cargo watch can quickly note any entry of cargo into the empty tank.
The same check should be maintained on ballast tanks to note any leakage of cargo into CBT or SBT tanks.
Other tanks on the same pipeline system must be checked to detect any leakage which would indicate a possible valve defect.
Check the levels of inactive slop and ballast tanks for any increase or decrease.

3.17.3 Tank venting and vapour return systems
Inspect each valve in the ship's venting system to verify that it is set correctly. Verify that there is no pressure build up in the vapour return system (due to closed terminal valve or system malfunction). Log all tank and vent system inspections made.