The information below provides safety guidelines on the procedure for carrying and shipping, the removal of and securing of dangerous goods.

DANGEROUS GOODS REFERS TO:

1. Any article or substance classified as “dangerous goods” by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) for the safe carriage of goods by the sea

2. Any article or substance, including explosives and ship’s ammunition that the Barbados Port Inc labels as dangerous

3. Any article or substance classified as explosive within the meaning of the Explosives Act with the exception of “safety class ammunition”

4. And highly flammable article or substance, which may pose a serious danger to life or property

5. Any article or substance, including safety class ammunition and ship’s ammunition that the Barbados Port Inc designates as explosives 6. Petroleum or petroleum spirit as outlined in the Petroleum Winning Operation Act.

NOTIFICATION/PERMISSION FOR CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS:

1. If dangerous goods are on board a vessel, the Master should display the appropriate day and night signals outlined in the International Code of Signals on approaching and during the time that the vessel remains in the harbour.

2. The master, owner or agent of a vessel should provide notice that the vessel is carrying dangerous goods no less than 24 hours before arrival. A written report must be submitted to the Barbados Port Inc. which includes a detailed description of the goods, the corresponding IMDG code and PIN number, the quantity and destination of the goods before entering the harbour. This will apply whether the goods are discharged in Barbados or not.

3. The Master, owner or agent of a vessel or other person who intends to ship dangerous goods must also provide notice of such no less than 24 hours before arrival. A written report must be submitted to the Barbados Port Inc. which includes a detailed description of the goods, the corresponding IMDG code and PIN number, the quantity and destination of the goods before entering the harbour.

4. Vessels are not permitted to enter the harbour, to load or unload dangerous unless a permit is granted by the Barbados Port Inc.

5. Permits will not be granted unless all information related to the dangerous goods is submitted to the Barbados Port Inc.

6. The International Maritime Organisation Dangerous Goods Code (IMGD) in addition to any instructions issued by the Government of Barbados must be followed for parking, marking, labeling, documenting and stowing dangerous goods.

7. Permission must be given by the Barbados Port Inc. for vehicles carrying explosives to move with and to depart the habour.

8. All vehicles carrying, loading or unloading explosives must carry the International Code Flag ‘B’ from sunrise to sunset and a conspicuous all-around red light must be displayed from sunset to sunrise.

REMOVAL OF DANGEROUS GOODS

1. Dangerous goods landed at the port must be removed or shipped by the property owner or agent before 16:00 hours on the day that the goods are landed.

2. If the dangerous goods are not removed within the specified time frame, the Barbados Port Inc. may cause the goods to be removed and disposed of.

3. The Barbados Port Inc. may recover from the owner or his agent expenses incurred for the removal of any dangerous goods. The owner or agent shall be liable to cover the Barbados Port Inc. against any claim that may arise from any loss or damage caused to any persons or property by the removal of such goods.

4. No explosives, dangerous goods or firearms should be loaded, unloaded or handled in a harbour unless authorised by the Barbados Port Inc.

SECURING VESSELS CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS

1. Vessel carrying dangerous goods must berth, moor or anchor in a harbour in the stipulated way and place stated by the Barbados Port Inc.

2. Vessels carrying dangerous goods must be able to leave the harbour on their own or have a suitable tug standing by.

3. Vessels carrying dangerous goods on board must unload them with during the time period specified by the Barbados Port Inc.

4. Vessels loading or intending to load dangerous goods must do so during the time period specified by the Barbados Port Inc. unless permission to remain in the harbour is granted by the Barbados Port Inc.

5. Vessels carrying dangerous goods when berthed, moored or anchored in a harbour must have a suitable tow line of wire at the bow and stern of the vessel. It must be securely fastened on deck by one end and hanging over the offshore side of the vessel so that the other end is not more than one meter from the surface of the water.

6. Dangerous goods must be loaded, unloaded or handled as directed by the Barbados Port Inc. and by trained personnel under authorized supervision.

7. Persons are not allowed in any place containing dangerous goods, nor near any vehicle or any vessel loading, unloading or having on board dangerous goods.

8. Defective or damaged shipments of dangerous goods that have escaped or spilt from their containers must be contained by the person in possession of them. If this action is not taken, the Barbados Port Inc may remove, destroy or otherwise dispose of such shipments at the expense of the person.

SAFETY GUIDELINES:

1. Safe, suitable and sufficient equipment shall be used in loading, unloading and handling dangerous goods.

2. Dangerous goods must not be handled roughly or carelessly or while under the influence of intoxicants that may cause damage to the dangerous goods, cause an explosion or fire, or endanger life or property.

3. When carrying dangerous goods or discharging or loading dangerous goods and equipment, the Master of the vessel must provide adequate safety and fire fighting appliances and equipment for use on board the vessel or at the place of discharging or loading of the dangerous goods.

4. While in a harbour the owner, Master or agent of a vessel carrying dangerous goods must permit the Barbados Port Inc. every facility to ascertain compliance with these regulations.

5. The Master of a vessel carrying, loading or unloading dangerous goods must provide and exhibit notice, alongside the vessel or near the wharf where the vessel is moored, to warn the public that dangerous goods are being loaded or discharged from the vessel. The notice shall bear the word “DANGER” in legible letters and each letter of the word shall measure at least 6 inches in height.

6. The Master of a vessel carrying, loading or unloading dangerous goods must adhere to any orders , rules and regulations and other instruments stated in the Shipping ( Oil Pollution ) Act.

7. Vessels carrying dangerous goods may be subject to special control, including compulsory pilotage, before entering the harbour. Special control may also be exercised during the presence of the vessel within the harbour.

8. Dangerous goods must not be transferred between vessels or moved by sea in territorial waters of Barbados without the consent of the Director of Maritime Affairs, the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Port Inc.

GUIDELINES FOR VESSELS USING/HANDLING PETROLEUM

Every owner, master or agent of a vessel that transports or uses petroleum as fuel for navigating the vessel must ensure the following:

1. Every drum, portable tank or other container used for the carriage of petroleum should be fitted with screw caps and such screw caps must not be removed while the vessel in underway in a harbour.

2. The vessel’s fuel tanks are gas free and must not be replenished while the vessel is underway or while the engine is running.

While handling petroleum products or refueling a vessel, persons must ensure the following:

1. No person shall be allowed to smoke within the vicinity of the handling and fuelling activity.

2. No naked light or lighting shall be used for the purpose of illumination.

3. Every drum, portable tank, container or compartment of the vessel used for the carriage of petroleum shall be a safe distance away from the flame, object or other source of heat which could cause a fire or explosion.

4. No naked light or flame shall at any time be used within the vicinity of any fuel tank or handling operation.

5. When refueling or handling petroleum products, a box containing a sufficient quantity of sand must be readily available to control, dissipate and absorb any overflow or spill.

6. Sufficient and suitable booms are positioned around the vessel and spill response equipment is readily available to control, dissipate and absorb and overflow or spill.

7. Fire extinguishers are readily available for use in the event of the outbreak of fire.

GENERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS

1. General safety regulations apply to loading, unloading, moving and handling goods in, or at any dock, wharf or quay, and the process of loading, unloading and coaling any ship in any dock or harbour.

2. These regulations do not apply to the unloading of fish from a ship employed in the catching of fish and nothing in regulations 99 and 101 (so far as regards liability to provide means of access) 100 and 102 to 109.

3. The owner, master or other person in charge of a ship to must comply with regulations 99 to109 in so far as the same are applicable to the ship of which they are the owner, Master or other person in charge.