A coalescing filter is used in many bilge water separators. But what do we mean by “coalescing”? Select the ONE correct answer:
Small droplets join together and unite to form one larger droplet.
Oil droplets cannot pass through the fine mesh of a filter.
Oil droplets stick to the surface of a carbon filter.
Oil droplets are absorbed into the surface of a woven fabric filter.
According to IMO requirements, how accurate must a 15 ppm bilge monitor be? Select the ONE correct answer:
A 15 ppm bilge alarm must be accurate to within plus or minus 5 ppm.
A 15 ppm bilge alarm must be accurate to within plus or minus 2 ppm.
A 15 ppm bilge alarm must be accurate to within plus or minus 1 ppm.
A 15 ppm bilge alarm must be 100 % accurate.
According to IMO requirements, how often must the accuracy of a 15 ppm bilge monitor be checked? Select the ONE correct answer:
At every IOPP Certificate renewal survey.
Every IOPP Certificate annual survey.
Every time the separator is used.
According to IMO requirements, what should happen when using a separate clean water supply to zero the 15 ppm bilge monitor? Select the ONE correct answer:
The alarm should sound, and this in turn implies, that the overboard discharge will be stopped.
The persons carrying out the operation must monitor the overboard discharge carefully.
According to IMO requirements, who should check and certify the accuracy of a 15 ppm bilge monitor? Select the ONE correct answer:
Only the manufacturer or a person appointed by them.
The manufacturer or the Chief Engineer.
The manufacturer or the Chief Engineer or the Master.
The manufacturer or an independent surveyor from a Classification Society.
According to the IMO, what are you allowed to check or adjust on a bilge water discharge monitor? Select the ONE best answer:
You should have access to zero the monitor and to check its readings.
You should have access to zero the monitor and to adjust its accuracy.
You should not have any access to check or adjust anything on a bilge monitor.
You should only be able to zero the monitor.
Can you pump machinery space bilges whilst at anchor? Select the ONE best answer:
Yes, provided it is not in the Antarctic area or a PSSA, and the separator has an alarm and automatic stopping device.
Yes, provided it is not in a special area and the separator has an alarm and automatic stopping device.
Yes, provided it is not in a special area and there is a current of, at least, 4 knots.
No, because the vessel is not en-route.
Can you pump machinery space bilges whilst in a special area? Select the ONE best answer:
Yes, provided you have a 5 ppm bilge separator.
No, you can never pump machinery space bilges whilst in a special area or a PSSA.
Yes, provided that you have a modern bilge water separator, meeting all requirements.
Sometimes. Machinery space bilges cannot be discharged in the Antarctic area, and there may also be local restrictions.
Flocculation is a process used in some bilge water separators. But what do we mean by “flocculation”? Select the ONE correct answer:
Two or more particles aggregate (stick together), without losing their individual boundaries.
Small particles unite completely to form large particles or droplets.
Particles stick to the surface of a charcoal filter.
Particles are broken down by chemical action.
In your view, what should be the aim of bilge water treatment? Select the ONE best answer:
To produce the cleanest discharge into the sea that we can get, and to comply with local and international rules.
To comply with local and international rules whilst getting rid of bilge water as quickly as possible.
To produce a discharge of less than 15 ppm.
To discharge water into the sea without leaving any traces of oil on the surface.
Let’s check how much you already know. Complete the sentence. Current international legislation requires, that the bilge water discharged by ships should contain no more than ___ parts per millions of oil in water.
On a modern vessel, can you transfer any of the contents of the sludge tank into the bilge separator tank? Select the ONE best answer:
No, nothing can be transferred from the sludge tank to the bilge tank.
Yes, we can strip water from the sludge tank, but this must be via an open hopper or sight glass, so that we can check, that it is only water.
Yes, because the bilge separator is capable of handling sludge and very oily mixtures.
Yes, provided we sound the sludge tank first to see how much water there is.
Should bilge water separators be capable of handling emulsions and bilge water with a very high oil content? Select the ONE correct answer:
No, bilge separators cannot handle emulsions.
Yes, but we can improve the separation process by proper management of bilge water in the engine room.
No, bilge separators are not designed to treat bilge water with an oil content of over 1 000 ppm.
Yes, they are designed to handle anything and still perform effectively.
The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should record the date, time and alarm status, and operating status of the 15 ppm Bilge Separator. How long must it keep this data for? Select the ONE correct answer:
At least eighteen months.
Until the next IOPP Certificate renewal.
What is the best way to use the bilge holding tank? Select the ONE correct answer:
Keep the bilge water there for enough time at a fairly high temperature.
Avoid using the bilge holding tank, as it often gets contaminated with oil and sludge.
Keep the temperature of the bilge holding tank low, so that emulsions do not form.
Use the bilge holding tank as extra storage and settling space for sludge and oily wastes.
What is the main principle of operation of a centrifugal bilge water separator? Select the ONE correct answer:
Separation of particles using the force due to gravity is replaced by separation due to a much larger centrifugal force.
The fluid is made to flow across plates at high speed and oil particles stick to the plates.
Fluids are whirled together at high speed to form emulsions.
Oil is filtered out between the plates in the disc stack.
What is the main purpose of the so-called “white-box” system, fitted with some bilge separators? Select the ONE correct answer:
To help protect the crew and ship-owner by providing evidence, that operations have been legal and that there has been no tampering with the equipment.
To provide evidence of wrongdoing, so that ships and their owners can be prosecuted for pollution.
What is the purpose of the aeration chamber in a flocculation type bilge separator? Select the ONE correct answer:
To help the flocculation process.
To break up any emulsions.
To smooth out fluctuations of pressure from the bilge pump discharge.
To remove air from the bilge water.
What is the purpose of the filter fitted to the inlet of most bilge separators? Select the ONE best answer:
To prevent blockages in the separator due to large solid impurities.
To start collecting oil from the bilge water.
To protect the bilge pump.
It is only used when first commissioning the separator and can be removed in normal use.
What sort of cleaning chemicals and detergents should we use in the engine room? Select the ONE best answer:
Cleaning agents, that are quick-separating, environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
Cleaning agents, that are good dispersants, environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
Cleaning agents, that form stable emulsions, are environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
We should not use any cleaning agents in the engine room.
Where would you find regulations for discharging machinery space bilge water? Select the ONE correct answer:
The supplement to the IOPP certificate.
Which one of the following is the best description of a “PSSA” as described in MARPOL? Select the ONE best answer:
A PSSA is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, and is given the same protection as a special area.
A PSSA is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, given special protection through action by IMO.
A PSSA is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, in which no shipping is allowed.
A PSSA is a Polar Special Sea Area, with restrictions under the IMO’s Polar Code.
Which TWO of the following are most likely to affect the accuracy of a modern 15 ppm bilge monitor? Select the TWO correct answers:
Who is required sign the Oil Record Book Part One for pumping machinery space bilges? Select the ONE correct answer:
The officer(s) in charge of the operation and the Master.
The officer(s) in charge of the operation and the Chief Engineer.
The Master and the Chief Engineer.
A Senior Engineer officer and the Master.
Why do we add some chemical agents to the bilge water in a flocculation type bilge separator? Select the ONE correct answer:
To increase the alkalinity and to help the flocculation process.
To increase the acidity and to help the flocculation process.
To chemically break down the oil droplets.
To kill off any microbes in the bilge water.