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The United States Coast Guard has issued an alert on safety procedures for avoiding propulsion loss from switching fuels mid-voyage in order to comply with new emission reduction regulations.

The Coast Guard said that it expects ships to switch from residual fuels to distillates more frequently as a result of the new emission regulations. It also indicated that "When switching fuel oil, some ships have experienced propulsion losses linked to procedural errors or fuel oil incompatibility."

In an effort to help vessel owners, operators and engineers prevent fuel system failures and propulsion casualties while meeting current and future exhaust emission control requirements, the Coast Guard advised interested parties to view a paper entitled “Technical Considerations of Fuel Switching Practices”, which discusses problems that lead to propulsion loss while switching fuel.

The paper, which was developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), is available at http://marineinvestigations.us >Safety Reports.

In order to prevent casualties associated with fuel oil switching, the Coast Guard also strongly recommends that owners and operators:

• Consult engine and boiler manufacturers for fuel switching guidance;
• Consult fuel suppliers for proper fuel selection;
• Exercise tight control when possible over the quality of the fuel oils received;
• Consult manufacturers to determine if system modifications or additional safeguards are necessary for intended fuels;
• Develop detailed fuel switching procedures;
• Establish a fuel system inspection and maintenance schedule;
• Ensure system pressure and temperature alarms, flow indicators, filter differential pressure transmitters, etc.., are all operational;
• Ensure system purifiers, filters and strainers are maintained;
• Ensure system seals, gaskets, flanges, fittings, brackets and supports are maintained;
• Ensure a detailed system diagram is available;
• Conduct initial and periodic crew training;
• Complete fuel switching well offshore prior to entering restricted waters or traffic lanes.