Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION OF OIL POLLUTION) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 25

Tanks for oil residue (sludge)

(1) Every ship of 400 GRT and above shall be provided with a tank or tanks of
adequate capacity, having regard to the type of machinery installed and length
of voyage, to receive any oily residues (sludges) which cannot be dealt with
otherwise in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, such as
those resulting from the purification of fuel and lubricating oils and oil
leakages in the machinery spaces.

(2) In new ships, such tanks shall be designed and constructed so as to
facilitate their cleaning and the discharge of residues to reception
facilities. Existing ships shall comply with this requirement so far as it is
reasonable and practicable to do so.

(3) Piping to and from sludge tanks shall have no direct connection overboard,
other than the standard discharge connection referred to in paragraph (4).
(L.N. 641 of 1994)

(4) Every ship to which this regulation applies shall be provided with piping
to enable residues from machinery spaces and machinery space bilges to be
pumped to a reception facility. This piping shall be led to the open deck and
there fitted with a flange in accordance with the following dimensions-

STANDARD DIMENSIONS OF FLANGES FOR DISCHARGE CONNECTIONS

Description Dimension Outside diameter 215 mm Inner diameter According to pipe
outside diameter Bolt circle diameter 183 mm Slots in flange 6 holes, 22 mm in
diameter, equidistantly placed on a bolt circle of 183 mm diameter, slotted to
the flange periphery, the slot width to be 22 mm Flange thickness 20 mm Bolts
and nuts: quantity, diameter 6 each of 20 mm in diameter and of suitable
length
The flange shall be designed to accept pipes up to a maximum diameter of 125
mm and shall be of steel or other equivalent material having a flat face. This
flange, together with a gasket of oil proof material, shall be suitable for a
service pressure of 6 kg/cm2. (L.N. 641 of 1994)