When testing hold bilge and suction lines there is a possibility for water to flood into the engine room. To avoid this possibility the following practice should be adopted when carrying out these tests.
Testing of the suctions is to be carried out using practical pumping tests.
Leakage tests on the valves are to be carried out by pressurizing the main.
Conversely, an inspection as to the condition of the valves may be carried out in lieu of a pressure test, but verification as to the tightness of the valves must be ensured. Hold and ballast suction lines must not be subjected to a pressure greater than 3 bar during testing.
Tests carried out should be entered in the Deck Log Book.
All isolating and crossover valves between the ballast pumping systems and the hold/bilge suctions are to be shut and the pressure in the hold suction lines should be monitored to ensure that over-pressurizing of the main is avoided.
Marine MAN crewing observation can be taken into account in case of needed to perfume duties on high level.
After pumping of ballast and bilges, the securing and isolating of these individual systems should be checked. The practice of just shutting number of valves to save time at future pumping must be avoided.
The minimum
During the voyage, soundings of holds should be taken daily. results should be kept in the Deck Log Book.
