Tankers now require:

• Cargo tank pressure monitoring systems required under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) II-2 Regulation 59/IBC Code, Chapter 8.3.3 to be fitted after the first dry docking after 1 July between 1998 and 2002. New build vessels would be similarly equipped.

• Cargo pump bearing temperature monitoring systems must be fitted under SOLAS II-2, Regulations 4 and 5.10.1 at the next dry docking after 1 July 2002.

• Cargo pump gas detection/bilge alarm systems are now required under SOLAS II-2, Regulations 4 and 5.10.3/5.10.4 at the next dry docking after 1 July 2002.

• High level and overfill alarm system is now required under United States Coast Guard (USCG) Regulation 39.

• Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBDs) are now required under SOLAS II-2, Regulation 13.3.4 by the first survey after 1 July 2002.

Double-hull tanker construction

Tankers were generally constructed with either centre tanks and wing tanks dividing the vessel into three athwartships sections, by two longitudinal bulkheads, individual tanks being segregated by transverse bulkheads. Modern construction, which integrates the double hull, has meant that construction designs have changed and twin tanks are now positioned to either side of a centre line bulkhead (Figure 5.5).

Figure 5.5: Athwartships cross-section of the modern double-hull tanker seen at a late construction stage prior to assembly.

The maximum length of an oil tank is 20% L (L represents the ship's length) and there is at least one wash bulkhead if the length of the tank exceeds...