154.1848—Inerting.
(a)
The master shall ensure that:
(1)
Hold and interbarrier spaces on a vessel with full secondary barriers are inerted so that the oxygen concentration is 8 percent or less by volume when flammable cargoes are carried;
(2)
Hold and interbarrier spaces contain only dry air or inert gas on:
(i)
A vessel with partial secondary barriers;
(ii)
A vessel with full secondary barriers when non-flammable cargoes are carried; and
(iii)
A vessel with refrigerated independent tanks type C;
(3)
When cargo tanks containing flammable vapor are to be gas freed, the flammable vapors are purged from the tank by inert gas before air is admitted; and
(4)
When gas free cargo tanks are to be filled with a flammable cargo, air is purged from the tank by inert gas until the oxygen concentration in the tank is 8 percent or less by volume before cargo liquid or vapor is introduced.
(b)
Inert gas must be supplied from the shore or from the vessel's inert gas system.