This safety guide makes recommendations for safety and pollution prevention features of the design, equipment, operation and management of all vessels used for the carriage of petroleum or chemical cargoes in bulk, and of associated towing/pushing vessels, which are not covered by international conventions.
This guide is intended primarily for use with such vessels where there are no international, national or local regulations. It is not intended to:
replace or override any applicable international conventions, national legislation, local laws or Classification Society rules;
replace any existing regional or local standards or checklists for barge safety, for example those
existing in the USA and parts of Europe;
encourage the use of non self-propelled barges in trades in open waters where the use of self-propelled tankers or barges is more appropriate;
discourage the use of non self-propelled barges where full and appropriate safety precautions are already practised; or
provide comprehensive operating instructions.
A general guide of this nature cannot be specific to all types of vessels in all locations and readers should use their own discretion on its application in the particular circumstances.
