Cargo Transfer Procedure Pt. 2

United States Coast Guard Regulations for Oil and Hazardous Material Transfer Operations

General Regulations

PIC Restrictions:

  • No individual can serve as the Person in Charge (PIC) of transfer operations on more than one vessel simultaneously unless explicitly authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

  • Waivers, referred to as Letters of Alternative Compliance, must be documented and integrated into barge transfer procedures to ensure compliance with regulations.

  • Both tankers and the designated PIC are required to be physically present on board the barge throughout the entire duration of the transfer operations.

Training and Communication

Training Restrictions:

  • Tankerman trainees are prohibited from acting as PIC and must not be left unattended on the barge while the PIC takes breaks to guarantee safety and regulatory compliance.

Communication Requirements:

  • Continuous two-way voice communication must be maintained at all times between the vessel and facility personnel to ensure immediate response to any issues.

  • Portable radios utilized during the transfer of combustible liquids must be marked as intrinsically safe to mitigate the risk of ignition in hazardous environments.

Emergency Protocols

Emergency Shutdown Systems:

  • Facilities are mandated to have reliable emergency means to stop the flow of oil or hazardous materials. This can include electrical, pneumatic, or mechanical shutdown systems.

  • Emergency systems should be designed to minimize and contain loss during operational disruptions, such as rupture or failure of hoses, and must be capable of stopping the flow within 60 seconds for oil transfers.

Personnel Qualifications

Qualification Requirements:

  • The PIC must adhere to strict qualification requirements and must be present on-site during operations to supervise and ensure compliance.

  • At least one crew member must be fluent in the languages spoken by both PICs to prevent miscommunication during operations and promote understanding.

  • A prior conference between personnel involved in the transfer is required to discuss critical details such as product identity, operational procedures, and safety protocols, enabling everyone to be informed and prepared for their responsibilities during the transfer.

Declaration of Inspection (DOI)

Relevant Information:

  • The DOI must contain comprehensive information including the name of the vessel, facility, date and time of transfer, required operational conditions, and the signatures of both PICs involved.

  • This declaration must be mutually agreed upon before initiating any transfer operation to ensure all parties are aligned in their understanding of the operation's conditions and legal requirements.

Safety Equipment and Procedures

Lighting and Moorings:

  • Facilities must ensure adequate lighting is provided at transfer operation areas to enhance visibility and safety.

  • The moorings of vessels must be robust enough to withstand expected weather and current conditions, with the capability to be adjusted for tidal variations.

Emergency Shutdown Equipment:

  • Both the vessel and the facility must be equipped with emergency shutdown equipment to enable prompt action during emergencies, ensuring rapid response to potential hazards.

Transfer Operations

Loading Operations:

  • Facilities must provide effective control measures that permit the barge PIC to immediately stop the flow of product on command.

  • In cases of unloading, it is essential that the barge possesses capabilities to shut down its transfer systems, particularly for tank barges, ensuring safety during offloading.

Topping Off Procedures:

  • The process of topping off should be conducted with great care, typically from bow to stern to prevent spills or overflows from the tanks during filling operations.

Monitoring During Transfers

Tank Monitoring:

  • Only one tank should be topped off at any given time to prevent overfills, and it is advisable to stagger the cargo levels in tanks to maintain stability.

  • Adequate preparations must be in place for draining hoses and managing tank levels before and during the transfer.

Post-Transfer Procedures:

  • Once the transfer is complete, it is crucial to close all necessary valves, including vapor vent stacks to prevent any leaks or emissions.

  • All tank openings must be securely closed prior to the vessel getting underway to mitigate risks of spills during transit.

Cargo Hose Management

Hose Requirements:

  • Cargo hoses should undergo thorough inspections for signs of wear and must be clearly marked with their specifications, including pressure limits (PSI).

  • A declaration of inspection for hoses must be conducted prior to commencing transfers to ensure they are in safe working condition.

  • Cargo hoses must be closely monitored throughout the transfer operations to prevent any incidents or failures.

Vapor Control and Safety Measures

Vapor Control Procedures:

  • Each barge is equipped with tables to calculate the maximum allowable transfer rates based on vapor densities; pressure vacuum valve settings must not exceed 80% during operations to ensure safety and compliance.

  • It is crucial to utilize appropriate initial transfer rates to minimize the risk of static electricity hazards during the filling process and ensure the safe handling of volatile substances.

  • All gauging equipment must be used properly to avoid any overfills during topping off, maintaining safe operational standards.

Benzene Safety Protocols

Benzene Exposure Limits:

  • Established exposure limits for benzene include an action level of 0.5 parts per million and a Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 5 parts per million over a 15-minute period.

  • Access to areas where benzene is regulated must be restricted to authorized personnel only, who must use proper respiratory protection to safeguard their health.

Safety Signage:

  • Barriers or warning signs must be placed in areas where exposure risks to benzene exist, clearly informing personnel about potential hazards to ensure awareness and compliance with safety measures.

Always review specific transfer procedures for barge vapor control, encompassing required documentation and inspections before initiating cargo operations to ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory standards.