Modification of Viking Glory´s Bilge System

Abstract

Bilge water treatment and oil pollution of the maritime environment have for a long time been a reoccurring issue for the global merchant navy. IMO’s Marpol have throughout the years carried out revisions to give shipping companies, their crew and manufacturers better insight and tools to handle potential problems with bilge water in a more appropriate manner. In this thesis the bilge water treatment plant and its problems on board Viking Glory were researched. The initial phase consisted of researching Viking Glory’s system as well as the conventions surrounding it. Viking Glory’s and outside operators of bilge water treatment plants were interviewed to achieve an understanding of what the problem are, why they are problems and what differs between Viking Glory’s system and corresponding ship’s installations. Concluded from the perspective of the operators is that a ship of Viking Glory’s size, route and running hours do have a too simplistic system that requires too much manual input by the operator who is required to operate and supervise the bilge water treatment plant alongside his regular watch duties. The result is mandated by the interviews with the outside operators. The interviewees’ suggestions for improvements have been concluded to bring concrete suggestions with its practical installation in compliance with Marpol and SOLAS. Per the interviewees’ statements an estimation of man hours has been made to give basis to motivate the suggested improvements in terms of more efficient watchkeeping.