QUESTION 6.5.2

Safe and compliant operation of the shipboard incinerator

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGEngine Room, Interview - Engineer Officer

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether engineer officers operate the incinerator safely, burn only permitted waste in permitted locations and maintain the unit, interlocks, space and records in satisfactory condition.

Ready onboard

0/8 complete

PROCEDUREThe company procedure and risk assessment cover preparation, loading, operation, shutdown, failure and prohibited waste.POSTINGSOperating instructions and the list of prohibited materials are posted at the controls.MANUALThe approved operation and maintenance manual is available for the fitted incinerator.CONDITIONCombustion chamber, casing, refractory, burners, exhaust trunk and surrounding space show no leakage or abnormal overheating.INTERLOCKSLoading-door or chute interlocks, alarms, trips and shutdowns are functional and not bypassed.WASTE CONTROLGarbage and sludge selected for burning are permitted, correctly prepared and recorded.LOCATION LIMITSOfficers understand MARPOL, port, terminal and company restrictions on where and when incineration may occur.HOUSEKEEPINGWaste, ash and oil are controlled and the incinerator space is clean.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1Which materials are prohibited from being incinerated onboard?

Use the posted list, MARPOL Annex VI and the company procedure; do not rely on memory or general descriptions.

2Show the safe sequence for loading and starting this incinerator.

Follow the manufacturer procedure, required PPE, door interlocks, purge, temperature and burner controls without conducting an unsafe demonstration.

3What do you do if an interlock or alarm fails?

Stop use, make the unit safe, report and isolate the defect, arrange repair and use the approved alternative waste-disposal route.

4Where or when is use of the incinerator prohibited?

Apply MARPOL restrictions together with coastal-State, port, terminal and company limitations for the vessel's present location.

5How are sludge incineration and ash disposal recorded?

Reconcile incinerator operation with sludge quantities, ORB Part I, Garbage Record Book and shore-disposal receipts as applicable.

Where an observation may arise

PROCEDURE

No adequate operating procedure or risk assessment is available.

KNOWLEDGE

The engineer cannot explain PPE, loading, prohibited waste, shutdown or location restrictions.

INTERLOCKS

A loading interlock, alarm or trip is defective or bypassed.

CONDITION

Exhaust leakage, casing overheating, oil leakage or defective refractory is evident.

PROHIBITED WASTE

Evidence suggests prohibited material has been burned.

RECORDS

Incineration or ash and sludge disposal cannot be reconciled with statutory records.

HOUSEKEEPING

Waste or combustible material has accumulated around the unit.

Past observations for practice

Hardware

There was evidence of oil dripping around the incinerator burner top side.

Human

The top part of the incinerator was not checked or overlooked during regular inspections.

Master's practical note

Compare what is waiting to be burned with the posted prohibited list before examining the records. Waste segregation at the incinerator door often shows whether MARPOL restrictions are genuinely understood.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Permitted waste and operating limits depend on MARPOL, local restrictions and the incinerator's approval. The manufacturer's manual controls the equipment sequence.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 6.5.2
MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 16
IMO Resolution MEPC.244(66)
Manufacturer's incinerator operation and maintenance manual

Last reviewed: 2026-09-08