46Use of fire pumps

46 Use of fire pumps

(1) The master of a ship must not permit the use of a fire pump to pump oil.

(1A) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.

(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subregulation (1) relating to the use of a sanitary, ballast, bilge or general service pump that is counted as a fire pump in accordance with regulation 45 if the person charged proves that:

(a) before oil was pumped, the blank flanges referred to in subparagraph 45 (b) (ii) were fitted and blanked the pipelines connected to the pump which discharge to the fire main; and

(b) after oil was pumped:

(i) the pump and the valve chests were cleared of oil; and

(ii) the blank flanges referred to in paragraph (a) were removed and the flanges referred to in subparagraph 45 (b) (i) to blank the pipelines connected to the pump through which oil would pass when the pump was in use for the pumping of oil were fitted and blanked the pipelines.

(3) The master of a ship in which a sanitary, ballast, bilge or general service pump is counted as a fire pump in accordance with regulation 45 must ensure that that pump is readily available for fire-fighting purposes at all times when not pumping oil.

(4) An offence against subregulation (3) is an offence of strict liability.