Fuel oil bunkering safety

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 22 November 2016
  • Generated on 11 June 2026
  • IMCA SF 10/13
  • 1 minute read

The Marine Safety Forum has published the following safety flash regarding a safety issue that occurred during fuel oil bunkering.

A vessel had prepared to take fuel oil on board, all precautions were in place and the checklist had been completed correctly and the crew had completed a toolbox talk. During bunkering, a quantity of fuel oil was spilled into the engine room.

The safety flash is available on request from the Marine Safety Forum.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Three crane incidents

A member reports three separate but related crane incidents involving cranes.

Read more
Finger trapped and injured while working on heavy equipment

A third-party technician suffered a pinch injury to the right index finger.

Read more
Machinery damaged through improper maintenance technique

During an audit on an offshore vessel it was observed that the fuel oil purifier failed to self-discharge.

Read more
Gangway damaged after unauthorised re-installation

During vessel position adjustments, an unattended gangway was caught between berth and vessel, and damaged.

Read more
Some positive findings

Controlled Contractor Induction Process, Effective Gangway Induction and Documentation Control, and Safe Positioning and Good Communication During Lifting Operations.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.