SHIP ТО SHIP TRANSFER GUIDE (PETROLEUM)
(Third Edition 1997)
For Use with Crude
Oil and Petroleum Products
Chapter 10
Emergencies
10.1 CONTINGENCY
PLANNING
Although STS transfers operations can be carried out safely, the risk of accident and the potential scale of the consequences require that organisers develop contingency plans for dealing with emergencies. Such plans should cover all possible emergencies and should provide for comprehensive response. In addition, contingency plans should have relevance to the location of the operation and should take into account the resources available both at the transfer area and with regard to nearby back-up support. Where appropriate, the contingency plan should be integrated with similar plans prepared by the responsible local authority.
A contingency plan is a collation of individual
emergency procedures. It should be agreed between both ships before STS
transfer operations commence.
Generally, in an STS transfer operation, the
lightening/receiving ship will be playing the lead role. Accordingly, where organisers
have delegated the preparation of a contingency plan, it will normally be
incumbent on the master of such a ship to establish the overall plan and a copy
should be made available to the other ship.
10.2 EMERGENCY
SIGNAL
An emergency on either ship should be indicated
immediately by sounding the emergency signal. All personnel should then proceed as indicated by the
contingency plan. It is emphasised that both
ships should be in an advanced state of readiness at all times in order to be
in a position to deal with emergencies.
The emergency signal should be agreed between both
ships and this should be a series of short and rapid blasts on the ship's
whistle or siren. It should be sounded by either ship in an emergency or
in case of communication breakdown during cargo operations.
10.3 EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS
It is difficult to anticipate every emergency which
could arise and therefore almost impossible to indicate precise remedial
action. However, oil spill and fire on either ship are
examples of the more likely risk scenarios which organisers
should include in the contingency plan.
In an emergency, the masters involved should assess
the situation and act accordingly, bearing in mind that unduly hasty decisions
could worsen the emergency. The following actions should be taken, or considered,
in the event of any emergency arising during an STS transfer operation:
• stop the transfer;
• sound the emergency signal;
• inform crews on both ships of the nature of the emergency;
• man emergency stations;
• initiate emergency procedures;
• drain and disconnect cargo hoses;
• send mooring gangs to stations;
• confirm the ship's main engine is ready for immediate use; and
• advise standby boat of the situation and any requirements.
In addition, masters should decide jointly, particularly in cases of fire, whether it is to their mutual advantage for the ships to remain alongside each other.
It may be found appropriate to include the basic
actions, as listed above, in individual STS contingency plans.
10.4 ADVISE ON SOME
EMERGENCIES
10.4.1 Emergencies
During Manoeuvring
The masters of both ships should always be prepared to
abort a berthing operation if necessary. The decision should be taken in ample time while the
situation is still under control. The masters of both ships should be immediately
informed of each others actions. The International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea must be complied with.
10.4.2 Procedures
in the Event of Gas Accumulation on Deck
An STS transfer operation should be suspended if
excessive cargo vapours are detected around the decks
or manifolds of either ship and should not be resumed until the risk to
personnel and the vessels is considered to have been averted.
10.4.3 Accidental
Cargo Release
Any leakage or spillage should be reported immediately
to the officers on cargo watch who should stop the cargo transfer and advise
the person in overall advisory control. The transfer must remain suspended until it is agreed
between the relevant persons/authorities that it is safe to resume.
10.4.4 Shipboard
Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP)
Risk of oil pollution during STS transfer operations
is no greater than during in-port cargo transfers. However, as a transfer area may be out of range of
port services, a contingency plan within the
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) to cover such risk should be
available and should be activated in the case of an oil spill.
10.5 STATE OF
The following arrangements should be made on both
ships:
• main engines ready for immediate use;
• cargo pump and all other equipment trips relevant to the transfer tested prior to the operation;
• crew available and systems prepared to drain and disconnect hoses at short notice;
• oil spill containment equipment prepared and ready for use;
• extra mooring lines ready at mooring stations as replacements in case of breakage; and
• fire fighting equipment ready for immediate use.
10.6 TRANSFER
OPERATIONS WITH A SHIP AGROUND
This guide may be of assistance when considering the provision of emergency STS transfer operations to ships aground. However, in each unique situation, the procedures adopted may vary from this guidance according to circumstances or on a case by case basis.