Marine Operations Note: 06/2009 - Avoiding Propulsion Loss from Fuel Switching

24 June 2009

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 6/2009

Subject: Avoiding Propulsion Loss from Fuel Switching

Ref: (a) ”Technical Considerations of Fuel Switching Practices”, API Technical

Issues Workgroup, available under Safety Reports at http://marineinvestigations.us

Dear Shipowners/Operators and Masters,

This Note provides information and guidance developed by the American Petroleum Institute intended for the use of shipowners with vessels that normally run on residual fuel oil that need to change over to low sulphur distillate to reduce emissions when entering regulated areas. Some vessels have experienced loss of propulsion when switching fuel oil. The API Technical Issues Workgroup has studied this problem and attached is their paper titled “Technical Considerations of Fuel Switching Practices” (copy attached). This document may be helpful to vessel operators and engineers to prevent loss of propulsion when switching fuel.

The full document is available online at http://marineinvestigations.us, under Safety Reports, and should be reviewed for detailed information regarding the potential causes and measures for preventing loss of propulsion while switching fuel oil.

If you have any questions please contact Timothy M Keegan, (703)251-2409, or Sean Brett, (703)251-2434, or email safety@liscr.com.

*********