Anyone involved in the operation of tankers. The course has been developed and will be delivered by a tanker vetting and inspection specialist.

Some key learning points are: 

Knowing the rules  

• Overview of SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and ISGOTT
• How the vetting decision is made

An introduction to spot chartering and vetting

• Why do oil companies inspect tankers 
• Background
• Vetting and risk management 
• Assessment of vessel acceptability the vetting tools (commercial information, casualty reports, terminal feedback etc.) 
• How the vetting decision is made

The SIRE programme

• The operating principles of SIRE 
• How reports are accessed by recipients 
• What the delivered reports look like 
• Using the VIQs for SIRE self-inspections 
• Reporting defects and corrective actions – The defect management system

 
SIRE inspections – key issues

• Overall safety 
• Conduct of the inspection 
• The SIRE report editor – The inspector’s reporting tool 
• Inspector observations 
• Other comments, additional comments 
• The new officer qualification matrix 
• Getting ready and staying ready for inspections
•  Oil Record Book
•  Analysis of parts I and II of an oil record book. How to review the excerpts and record where the entries may reveal problems or irregularities.

 
The inspection

• First impressions
• The opening meeting
• Important certificates and documentation
• ESP documentation
• Officers’ licences
• Hours of rest records
• Wheelhouse and navigation
• Communications
• External areas
• Maindeck, and foc’s’le
• Oil spill protection
• Cargo and crude oil washing piping
• Fire lines and other piping
• Manifold area, gangways
• IG distribution system
• Deck water seal, non return valve
• PV breaker, IG branch piping
• Cargo tank venting and secondary venting systems
• Assessment of tank condition
• Ballast water sampling
• Mooring systems
• Pumproom
• Cargo operations and cargo control room, engine room
• PPE, documentation
• Engine control room
• The walk round, oily water separator
• Steering gear
• Accommodation – internal
• De-briefing with the master
• Dealing with SIRE inspectors
• Dealing with inspection reports
• How it is and how it can be done

Assessment 

• Understanding of international rules, ISGOTT, the SIRE programme and VIQ, vetting and the inspection process 

BTS attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing a minimum of 80% of the total course duration.