Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations — 77
Duties of supervisors of transfer operations — vessels 77 (1) The supervisor of a transfer operation on board a vessel must ensure that (a) the vessel is secured, having regard to the weather and the tidal and current conditions, and the mooring lines are tended so that the movement of the vessel does not damage the transfer conduit or its connections; (b) transfer procedures are established with the concurrence of the supervisor of the transfer operation at the handling facility or on board the other vessel, as the case may be, with respect to (i) the rates of flow and pressures for the transferred liquid, (ii) the reduction of rates of flow and pressures where required to avoid an overflow of the tanks, (iii) the time required to stop the transfer operation under normal conditions, (iv) the time required to shut down the transfer operation under emergency conditions, and (v) the communication signals for the transfer operation, including (A) stand by to start transfer, (B) start transfer, (C) slow down transfer, (D) stand by to stop transfer, (E) stop transfer, (F) emergency stop of transfer, and (G) emergency shutdown of transfer; (c) the supervisor of the transfer operation at the handling facility or on board the other vessel, as the case may be, has reported readiness for the commencement of the transfer operation; (d) the person who is on duty on board the vessel in respect of the transfer operation is fully conversant with the communication signals, maintains watch over the vessel’s tanks to ensure that they do not overflow, and maintains continuous communication with that person’s counterpart at the handling facility or on board the other vessel, as the case may be; (e) the manifold valves and tank valves on the vessel are not closed until the relevant pumps are stopped, if the closing of the valves would cause dangerous over-pressurization of the pumping system; (f) the rate of flow is reduced when the tanks are being topped off; (g) the supervisor of the transfer operation at the handling facility or on board the other vessel, as the case may be, is given sufficient notice of the stopping of the transfer operation to permit them to take the necessary action to reduce the rate of flow or pressure in a safe and efficient manner; (h) the following measures are taken to prevent the discharge of a noxious liquid substance or dangerous chemical: (i) all cargo manifold connections that are not being used in the transfer operation are securely closed and fitted with blank flanges or other equivalent means of closure, (ii) all overboard discharge valves are securely closed and marked to indicate that they are not to be opened during the transfer operation, and (iii) all scuppers are plugged; (i) a supply of absorbent material is readily available near every transfer conduit to facilitate the clean-up of any minor spillage of noxious liquid substances or dangerous chemicals that may occur on the vessel or on the shore; (j) all transfer conduits that are used in the transfer operation are supported to prevent the conduits and their connections from being subjected to any strain that might cause damage to them or cause the conduits to become disconnected; (k) all systems, equipment, personnel and information necessary for the safety of the transfer are in readiness before the transfer operation begins; (l) towing-off wires are positioned fore and aft and are ready for use without adjustment if it is necessary to tow the vessel away; (m) the transfer of a flammable cargo and the gas-freeing that follows the unloading of a flammable cargo is stopped when an electrical storm is in the immediate vicinity of the vessel; (n) no work is carried out in the cargo tank area without the authorization of the vessel’s master; (o) the valves in the vent system are checked for the correct setting and the flame arresters are examined for cleanliness and proper installation; (p) articulated loading booms, if used, are checked for undue strain;