65152 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Parts 154, 155, and 156 

46 CFR Parts 35 and 39 

[USCG–1999–5150] 

RIN 1625–AB37 

Marine Vapor Control Systems 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to 

increase maritime domain safety by 

revising existing safety regulations for 

facility and vessel vapor control systems 

(VCSs). The proposed changes would 

make VCS requirements more 

compatible with new Federal and State 

environmental requirements, reflect 

industry advancements in VCS 

technology, and codify the standards for 

the design and operation of a VCS at 

tank barge cleaning facilities. These 

changes would increase the safety of 

operations by regulating the design, 

installation, and use of VCSs, but would 

not require anyone to install or use 

VCSs. 

DATES: Comments and related material 

must either be submitted to our online 

docket via http://www.regulations.gov 

on or before April 21, 2011 or reach the 

Docket Management Facility by that 

date. Comments sent to the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) on 

collection of information must reach 

OMB on or before April 21, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by docket number USCG– 

1999–5150 using any one of the 

following methods: 

(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

(2) Fax: 202–493–2251. 

(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility 

(M–30), U.S. Department of 

Transportation, West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail 

address above, between 9 a.m. and 

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The telephone number 

is 202–366–9329. 

To avoid duplication, please use only 

one of these four methods. See the 

‘‘Public Participation and Request for 

Comments’’ portion of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 

below for instructions on submitting 

comments. 

Collection of Information Comments: 

If you have comments on the collection 

of information discussed in section 

VI.D. of this notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM), you must also send 

comments to the Office of Information 

and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of 

Management and Budget. To ensure that 

your comments to OIRA are received on 

time, the preferred methods are by email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov 

(include the docket number and 

‘‘Attention: Desk Officer for Coast 

Guard, DHS’’ in the subject line of the 

e-mail) or fax at 202–395–6566. An 

alternate, though slower, method is by 

U.S. mail to the Office of Information 

and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 

Management and Budget, 725 17th 

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, 

ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard. 

Viewing Incorporation by Reference 

Material: You may inspect the material 

proposed for incorporation by reference 

at room 1214, U.S. Coast Guard 

Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., 

Washington, DC 20593–0001 between 

9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The 

telephone number is 202–372–1422. 

Copies of the material are available as 

indicated in the ‘‘Incorporation by 

Reference’’ section of this preamble. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions on this proposed 

rule, call or e-mail Ms. Sara Ju, Office 

of Operating and Environmental 

Standards, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 

202–372–1422, e-mail 

Sara.S.Ju@uscg.mil. If you have 

questions on viewing or submitting 

material to the docket, call Renee V. 

Wright, Program Manager, Docket 

Operations, telephone 202–366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Preamble 

I. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

A. Submitting Comments 

B. Viewing Comments and Documents 

C. Privacy Act 

D. Public Meeting 

II. Abbreviations 

III. Basis and Purpose 

IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule 

V. Incorporation by Reference 

VI. Regulatory Analyses 

A. Regulatory Planning and Review 

B. Small Entities 

C. Assistance for Small Entities 

D. Collection of Information 

E. Federalism 

H. Civil Justice Reform 

I. Protection of Children 

J. Indian Tribal Governments 

L. Technical Standards 

M. Environment 

I. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

We encourage you to participate in 

this rulemaking by submitting 

comments and related materials. All 

comments received will be posted 

without change to http:// 

www.regulations.gov and will include 

any personal information you have 

provided. 

A. Submitting Comments 

If you submit a comment, please 

include the docket number for this 

rulemaking (USCG–1999–5150), 

indicate the specific section of this 

document to which each comment 

applies, and provide a reason for each 

suggestion or recommendation. You 

may submit your comments and 

material online or by fax, mail, or hand 

delivery, but please use only one of 

these means. We recommend that you 

include your name and a mailing 

address, an e-mail address, or a phone 

number in the body of your document 

so that we can contact you if we have 

questions regarding your submission. 

To submit your comment online, go to 

http://www.regulations.gov, click on the 

‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will 

then become highlighted in blue. In the 

‘‘Document Type’’ drop down menu 

select ‘‘Proposed Rule’’ and insert 

‘‘USCG–1999–5150’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ 

box. Click ‘‘Search’’ then click on the 

balloon shape in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. 

If you submit your comments by mail or 

hand delivery, submit them in an 

unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2; by 

11 inches, suitable for copying and 

electronic filing. If you submit 

comments by mail and would like to 

know that they have reached the 

Facility, please enclose a stamped, selfaddressed postcard or envelope. 

We will consider all comments and 

material received during the comment 

period and may change this proposed 

rule based on your comments. 

B. Viewing Comments and Documents 

To view comments, as well as 

documents mentioned in this preamble 

as being available in the docket, go to 

http://www.regulations.gov, click on the 

‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then 

become highlighted in blue. In the 

‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–1999– 

5150’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the 

‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ 

column. If you do not have access to the 

Internet, you may view the docket 

online by visiting the Docket 

Management Facility in Room W12–140 

on the ground floor of the Department 

of Transportation West Building, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 65153 

DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. We have an agreement with 

the Department of Transportation to use 

the Docket Management Facility. 

C. Privacy Act 

Anyone can search the electronic 

form of comments received into any of 

our dockets by the name of the 

individual submitting the comment (or 

signing the comment, if submitted on 

behalf of an association, business, labor 

union, etc.). You may review a Privacy 

Act notice regarding our public dockets 

in the January 17, 2008 issue of the 

Federal Register (73 FR 3316). 

D. Public Meeting 

We do not now plan to hold a public 

meeting. But you may submit a request 

for one to the docket using one of the 

methods specified under ADDRESSES. In 

your request, explain why you believe a 

public meeting would be beneficial. If 

we determine that one would aid this 

rulemaking, we will hold one at a time 

and place announced by a later notice 

in the Federal Register. 

II. Abbreviations 

ANSI American National Standards 

Institute 

API American Petroleum Institute 

ASTM American Society for Testing and 

Materials 

CAA 90 U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments of 

1990 

CTAC Chemical Transportation Advisory 

Committee 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DOT Department of Transportation 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

HAP Hazardous air pollutant 

IEC International Electrotechnical 

Commission 

IMO International Maritime Organization 

ISA International Standards Association 

ISGOTT International Safety Guide for Oil 

Tankers and Terminals 

MAWP Maximum allowable working 

pressure 

MESG Maximum experimental safe gap 

MISL Marine Information for Safety and 

Law Enforcement 

MOCC Minimum oxygen concentration for 

combustion 

MSC Coast Guard Marine Safety Center 

NAICS North American Industry 

Classification System 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

of 1969 

NFPA National Fire Protection Association 

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking 

NTTAA The National Technology Transfer 

and Advancement Act 

NVIC Navigation and Vessel Inspection 

Circular 

OCIMF Oil Companies International Marine 

Forum 

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

P&IDs Piping and instrumentation diagrams 

PIC Person-in-charge 

PPM Parts per million 

psi Pounds per square inch 

psia Pounds per square inch absolute 

psig Pounds per square inch gauge 

QDC Quick disconnect couplings 

SIC Standard Industrial Classification 

UFL Upper flammable limit 

USCG U.S. Coast Guard 

VCS Vapor control system 

VOC Volatile organic compound 

III. Basis and Purpose 

This NPRM proposes amendments to 

1990 Coast Guard regulations (final rule, 

55 FR 25396; June 21, 1990) relating to 

facility and vessel vapor control systems 

(VCSs), and generally appearing in 33 

CFR part 154, subpart E and in 46 CFR 

part 39. These regulations do not require 

any facility or vessel to control vapor or 

be equipped with a VCS, nor do they 

require a vessel to take away vapor from 

facilities. Instead, these regulations 

would apply to facilities and vessels 

that voluntarily engage in vapor control 

activities or that do so in compliance 

with other regulatory requirements 

imposed by the Federal Government or 

by the States. Our regulatory authority 

is delegated to the Coast Guard by the 

Secretary of Homeland Security, and 

derives from 42 U.S.C. 7511b(f)(2), 33 

U.S.C. 1231, and 46 U.S.C. 3703. 

Section 7511b(f)(2) of Title 42 U.S.C. 

was enacted by the Clean Air Act 

Amendments of 1990 (CAA 90), and 

directs the Secretary to issue regulations 

ensuring the safety of equipment and 

operations used to control vapor 

emissions. Section 1231 of Title 33 

U.S.C. gives the Secretary authority to 

issue regulations to implement port and 

waterways safety statutes. One of those 

statutes is 33 U.S.C. 1225, which 

requires the Secretary to act as 

necessary to prevent damage to land and 

structures on or along U.S. navigable 

waters and to protect these navigable 

waters and their resources. Section 3703 

of Title 46 U.S.C. requires the Secretary 

to regulate vessels and their liquid bulk 

dangerous cargo operations to protect 

life, property, and the marine 

environment. 

During marine tank vessel loading 

and other operations, the liquid loaded 

into a cargo tank displaces vapors 

within the tank. Vapors are also 

generated because of vapor growth. The 

emitted vapors of certain cargoes 

contain volatile organic compounds 

(VOCs) and other air pollutants. CAA 90 

requires that these vapors be controlled 

in air quality non-attainment areas. 

Under CAA 90, the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) issues national 

standards for control of VOCs and other 

air pollutants emitted during marine 

tank vessel operations. CAA 90 also 

authorizes Federal and State regulations 

to set vapor emission standards and to 

require that marine terminals and tank 

vessels be equipped with VCSs. These 

systems are used to collect and process 

vocs and other air pollutants emitted 

during loading and other operations of 

marine tank vessels. 

Two trends have emerged since we 

implemented our current VCS 

regulations. Together, these trends make 

it advisable for us to amend our 

regulations. 

Improved design and technology: 

First, VCS design and technology has 

improved since 1990, and our current 

regulations do not reflect those 

improvements. Currently, we 

accommodate these design and 

technology improvements by using the 

exemption and equivalency 

determination provisions of 33 CFR 

154.108 and 46 CFR 30.15–1 to approve 

individual applications by VCS owners 

or designers who can show that their 

improvements provide a level of safety 

at least equivalent to that provided by 

our regulations. Reliance on individual 

exemptions or equivalency 

determinations involves extra risk for 

VCS owners and designers, and extra 

review time for the Coast Guard. We 

would prefer to reduce the need for 

individual exemptions and equivalency 

determinations, and therefore reduce 

Coast Guard administrative work, by 

updating our regulations to reflect more 

recent VCS design and technology. 

Expanded capabilities and 

requirements: Second, VCSs may now 

control more cargoes than they could in 

1990, and are subject to additional 

Federal and State regulatory 

requirements. In 1990, Federal and State 

requirements limited VCSs to the 

control of vapor emissions from crude 

oil, gasoline blend, or benzene cargoes. 

The EPA and States now permit or 

require the control of vapor emissions 

from many other cargoes. See current 

EPA regulations in 40 CFR subpart Y, 40 

CFR 63.560–63.568. In addition, EPA 

regulations now require marine tank 

vessels operating at major terminals that 

control VOC vapors to be vapor-tight 

and equipped with vapor collection 

systems. 40 CFR 63.562. Because 

current Coast Guard regulations have 

not been significantly amended since 

1990, they do not reflect the expanded 

range of cargoes controlled by VCSs, nor 

do they reflect EPA’s current 40 CFR 

63.562 requirements. 

Facilities and vessels that control 

vapors from cargoes other than crude 

oil, gasoline blend, or benzene, or that 

are subject to 40 CFR 63.562, may 

voluntarily comply with guidance that 

we provided in a policy letter sent to 

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65154 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

VCS-certifying entities on May 5, 1992, 

or in Navigation and Vessel Inspection 

Circular (NVIC) No. 1–96 (April 1996), 

which provides safety standards for the 

design and operation of marine VCSs at 

tank barge cleaning facilities. This 

guidance was developed in close 

consultation with the Chemical 

Transportation Advisory Committee 

(CTAC), a Coast Guard advisory 

committee that operates under the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 

U.S.C. Appendix 2, but it is not legally 

binding on these facilities and vessels. 

These guidance documents are available 

in the public docket. We wish to update 

our VCS regulations to incorporate this 

guidance in our regulatory 

requirements. 

Our proposed changes would bring 

our regulations into line with the 

guidance we have developed to deal 

with post-1990 improvements in VCS 

design and technology, with the 

expanded capabilities that VCSs now 

provide, and with the expansion of the 

Federal and State regulatory 

environments in which VCSs function. 

The proposed changes would also adopt 

or modify many CTAC 

recommendations, all of which appear 

in the docket for this rulemaking. 

IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule 

The proposed new regulations: 

• Reflect the expanded number and 

scope of Federal and State regulations 

for VCSs since 1990; 

• Reflect advances in VCS technology 

and operational practices since 1990, 

particularly in vapor-balancing 

operations, cargo line clearing 

operations, and multi-breasted tandem 

barge-loading operations; 

• Incorporate the policy guidance 

(1992 policy letter and 1996 NVIC; both 

available in the docket) and reflect 

regulatory exemptions and equivalency 

determinations that we have provided 

or granted since 1990; 

• Provide new regulations for cargoes 

and operations, such as tank barge 

cleaning, that have become subject to 

Federal or State regulatory expansion 

since 1990; 

• Provide for periodic operational 

reviews to ensure that VCSs are 

properly maintained and operated after 

they are certified; 

• Provide an alternate test program 

for analyzers and pressure sensors, in 

addition to existing 24-hour pretransfer/cleaning instrument testing 

requirements, to provide greater 

regulatory flexibility; 

• Require certifying entities to be 

operated by currently licensed 

professional engineers, to ensure that 

certification is conducted by properly 

qualified professionals, and clarify the 

role of the certifying entity in VCS 

design, installation, and hazard reviews; 

• Remove 33 CFR part 154, appendix 

B, which provides specifications for 

flame arresters, and requires flame 

arresters to meet third-party standards, 

because of apparent lack of public 

demand for these devices; 

• Attempt to achieve greater clarity 

through the use of tabular presentation; 

• Update industry standards that are 

incorporated by reference into our 

regulatory requirements; 

• Phase in requirements for existing 

VCSs in order to moderate the economic 

impact of new requirements for those 

VCSs; 

• Make conforming changes in 

regulations other than 33 CFR part 154, 

subpart E and 46 CFR part 39; and 

• Make nonsubstantive changes in the 

wording or style of existing regulations, 

either to improve their clarity or to align 

them with current Federal regulatory 

style guidance. 

Table 1 shows the sections affected by 

our proposed rule and, with reference to 

the foregoing discussion, briefly 

indicates how and why we propose to 

change, add, or remove regulatory text. 

The proposed regulatory text itself is, in 

many places, complex and technical. 

Therefore, we invite you to use Table 1 

as a guide, but we urge you to read and 

analyze the proposed regulatory text 

following this preamble with care, to 

determine exactly how these proposed 

changes could affect you. We are 

providing an extended public comment 

period—6 months instead of the Coast 

Guard’s normal 3-month period—to 

facilitate your in-depth review. 

TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS

Section Proposed change and justification 

33 CFR: 

154.106 ...................................................... Update or add standards that are incorporated by reference, to reflect changes proposed elsewhere in Part 154 and, generally, to reflect technology improvements since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.310(b) ................................................. Amend operations manual requirements relating to VCSs to reflect other proposed changes and 

to ensure the operations manual provides adequate information. 

154.500 ...................................................... Update or add industry flange and coupling standards that are incorporated by reference, and 

make nonsubstantive wording or style changes. 

154.735 ...................................................... Update or add incorporated-by-reference industry standards for electrical wiring, electrical 

equipment, and tank cleaning or gas freeing operations involving oil residue or mixtures, and 

make nonsubstantive wording or style changes. 

154.740 ...................................................... Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.800–154.850 (33 CFR Part 154, Subpart E).Remove these sections and transfer substance to new Subpart P, beginning with 33 CFR 

154.2000, to facilitate the substantive changes we propose while preserving related material in 

a sequential arrangement. Existing sections and their proposed new locations are listed here: 

Existing § Proposed §

154.800 ............................................................. 154.2000 

154.802 ............................................................. 154.2001 

154.804 ............................................................. 154.2020–154.2023 

154.806 ............................................................. 154.2010, 154.2011 

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TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS—Continued 

Section Proposed change and justification 

154.808 ............................................................. 154.2100 

154.810 ............................................................. 154.2101 

154.812 ............................................................. 154.2102 

154.814 ............................................................. 154.2103 

154.820, 154.822 .............................................. 154.2105, 154.2106 

154.824 ............................................................. 154.2107 

154.826 ............................................................. 154.2108 

154.828 ............................................................. 154.2109 

154.840 ............................................................. 154.2030 

154.850 ............................................................. 154.2150 

154.2000 (present 154.800) ...................... Extend the applicability of this part to cover the range of cargoes that can be controlled by a 

VCS, and the range of facilities and operations using VCSs. Both have expanded since 1990. 

Grandfather existing facilities and provide for 3-year phase-in to moderate the economic impact 

of new requirements. 

Add language explaining the difference between regulatory measurements and parenthetical 

measurements that are included only for convenience, to eliminate possible confusion as to 

which measurement is the focus of the regulation. 

Clarify, without substantive change, that Coast Guard regulations do not require any vessel or 

facility to control vapor, but that the regulations apply to vessels or facilities that choose to or 

that, due to other laws, must control vapor. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2001 (present 154.802) ...................... Add definitions to reflect substantive changes proposed elsewhere in the NPRM. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes. 

154.2010, 154.2011 (present 154.806) ..... Reorganize provisions discussing qualifications and acceptance of certifying entities, for improved clarity. 

Codify current USCG guidance for those applying for acceptance as certifying entities, to eliminate possible confusion. 

Require certifying entities to use licensed professional engineers for VCS certification, to ensure 

that certification is conducted by persons with appropriate professional qualifications, as recommended by CTAC. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2020–154.2023 (present 154.804) ..... Reorganize provisions discussing VCS certification and recertification for improved clarity, and 

add new requirements for operational reviews, to help reduce post-certification maintenance 

and operational problems. 

Clarify, without substantive change, that recertification is needed before an approved VCS can 

operate beyond the terms of its existing certification. 

Codify current USCG guidance for certifying entities conducting certification or recertification reviews, to standardize certification or recertification requirements and processes. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2030 (present 154.840) ...................... Add new training requirements to reflect other proposed changes. 

Add new training requirements for persons overseeing VCS maintenance, to help ensure a 

good-quality maintenance program between recertifications. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2031 .................................................... Add new section to address training requirements for tank barge cleaning facility personnel, because Federal and State regulations have expanded to include these facilities since 1990. 

154.2100 (present 154.808) ...................... Revise temperature limits to reflect additional cargoes. 

Modify or clarify (without substantive change) VCS piping, working pressure, remote indicator, 

alarm and shutdown activation, condensate control, VCS components/vapor suitability, and 

vapor processing unit provisions in line with current USCG guidance; thereby eliminating the 

current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations 

based on that guidance. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes, and update or add standards that are incorporated by reference. 

154.2101 (present 154.810) ...................... Remove requirement for manual isolation valve between facility vapor connection and remotely 

operated cargo vapor shutoff valve to eliminate potential for overpressure if isolation valve is accidentally left closed, to reflect post-1990 equipment and operational practice improvements. 

Modify or clarify (without substantive change) remotely operated cargo vapor shutoff valve, 

vapor line marking, vapor hose, and electrical insulation provisions in line with current USCG 

guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

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TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS—Continued 

Section Proposed change and justification 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes, update or add standards that are incorporated 

by reference, and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2102 (present 154.812) ...................... Exclude facilities that collect vapors emitted during inerting of vessel cargo tanks because during cargo tank inerting, an inert gas instead of a liquid is added into the cargo tank and therefore there is no liquid overfill hazard, in line with current USCG guidance; thereby eliminating 

the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Eliminate requirement for separate overfill control panels, to reflect post-1990 equipment and 

operational practice improvements; the change would allow the overfill control system to be incorporated into other control panels to save cost. 

Clarify, without substantive change, what type of facilities need to have explosion-proof overfill 

receptacles. 

Align labeling requirements with current equipment vendor practice, which is suitable for these 

requirements. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2103 (present 154.814) ...................... Revise to reflect additional cargoes that have been added since 1990. 

Require low-pressure sensors only if vapor-moving device is used to draw vapor; the change 

would allow cost savings because a vapor-moving device is the source of vacuum in a VCS. 

Require pressure sensors in facilities that collect vapors while inerting vessel cargo tanks, to 

prevent overpressurization hazard caused by inert gas added into the cargo tanks. 

Modify or clarify (without substantive change) cargo vapor shutoff valve closing, shutdown setpoint, pressure sensor location, and pressure relief valve provisions in line with current USCG 

guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Limit requirements for flame arresters or flame screens to the flammable, combustible, or nonhigh flash point liquid cargoes for which flame is a serious threat. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2104 .................................................... Add new section to provide for cargo line clearance systems, to reflect post-1990 equipment 

and operational practice improvements, in line with current USCG guidance; thereby eliminating 

the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

154.2105, 154.2106 (present 154.820, 

154.822).

Reorganize provisions for improved clarity. 

Revise to reflect additional cargoes that have been added since 1990. 

Limit applicability to the flammable, combustible, or non-high flash point liquid cargoes for which 

fire, explosion, or detonation are serious threats. 

Remove flame arrester provisions (and Appendix B) due to apparent lack of public demand for 

these devices. To maintain the equivalent level of safety, flame arresters are required to meet 

industry standards and the VCS is required to have additional safety monitoring instruments 

which will activate emergency VCS shutdown. 

Modify or clarify VCS controlling inerted cargo vapors, oxygen analyzer, dock detonation arrester location, discharge vent, and detonation arrester installation provisions in line with current 

USCG guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for 

equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2107 (present 154.824) ...................... Revise to reflect additional cargoes (added since 1990) that share the flammable, combustible, 

or non-high flash point characteristics of cargoes covered by the existing regulation. 

Modify, add, or clarify (without substantive change) vapor line purging, gas injection location, 

analyzer controlling scheme, analyzer response time, analyzer alarm and shutdown setpoint, 

inert gas producing combustion device separation, and base loading method provisions in line 

with current USCG guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in Part III of this 

preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2108 (present 154.826) ...................... Revise to reflect additional cargoes added since 1990; limit paragraphs (b) and (e) to flammable, combustible, or non-high flash point cargoes that are subject to fire, detonation, or explosion. 

Remove references to flame arresters, explosion suppressors, and other systems for which 

there is an apparent lack of public demand or which USCG generally has not accepted. Allow 

only Coast Guard-accepted detonation arresters, to improve safety. 

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TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS—Continued 

Section Proposed change and justification 

Modify or clarify (without substantive change) detonation arrester, alarm, and construction provisions in line with current USCG guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in 

Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2109 (present 154.828) ...................... Revise to reflect additional cargoes added since 1990; limit paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) to flammable, combustible, or non-high flash point cargoes that are subject to fire, detonation, or explosion. Remove references to flame arresters, explosion suppressors, and other systems 

USCG generally has not accepted. Allow only Coast Guard-accepted detonation arresters, to 

improve safety. 

Modify, add, or clarify (without substantive change) quick-closing stop valve, anti-flashback 

burner, liquid seal, and vapor-moving device shutdown provisions in line with current USCG 

guidance; thereby eliminating the current need, explained in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on that guidance. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2110 .................................................... Add new section to provide for facilities that control vapors to or from vessel cargo tanks 

through vapor balancing, to reflect post-1990 equipment and operational practice improvements. 

Limit the applicability of paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(4), (b), and (c) to flammable, combustible, or 

non-high flash point cargoes that are subject to fire, detonation, or explosion, as those paragraphs require measures that are only intended to address the risks posed by such cargoes. 

154.2111 .................................................... Add new section to provide for connection of a marine VCS to a facility’s main VCS, to reflect 

technology advances since 1990. 

154.2112 .................................................... Add new section to provide for additional cargoes that have potential to polymerize or freeze, 

which have become subject to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

154.2113 .................................................... Add new section to provide for additional cargoes that are alkylene oxides, which have become 

subject to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

154.2150 (present 154.850) ...................... Revise to reflect substantive changes proposed elsewhere in the NPRM. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

154.2180, 154.2181 .................................. Provide additional regulatory flexibility by adding new sections to provide testing program for 

analyzers and pressure sensors as an alternative to compliance with 154.2150 and 154.2250. 

154.2200–154.2250 ................................... Add new sections to provide for tank barge cleaning facilities, which have become subject to 

Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990, in line with NVIC No. 1–96 as modified by 

CTAC recommendations. 

154, Appendix B ........................................ Remove appendix dealing with tank vent flame arresters due to apparent lack of public demand 

for these devices; see entry above for 154.2105, 154.2106. 

155.750 ...................................................... Update cross references. 

156.120 ...................................................... Revise to reflect substantive changes proposed elsewhere in the NPRM. 

156.170 ...................................................... Update cross references. 

Allow alternative methods of compliance with testing and inspection requirements, in line with 

public comment received on periodic renewal of OMB approval for collection of information; see 

Docket USCG–2005–22983 in Regulations.gov. 

46 CFR: 

35.35–5 ...................................................... Prohibit use of ship-to-shore bonding cables, to align with International Maritime Organization 

and International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals policy, and make nonsubstantive 

wording or style changes. 

35.35–20, 35.35–30 .................................. Revise to reflect substantive changes proposed elsewhere in the NPRM. 

Part 39 ....................................................... Revise and transfer substance from existing sections to proposed new locations as listed here, 

to facilitate the substantive changes we propose while preserving related material in a sequential arrangement. 

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65158 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS—Continued 

Section Proposed change and justification 

Existing § Proposed §

39.10–1 ............................................................. 39.1001 

39.10–3 ............................................................. 39.1003 

39.10–5 ............................................................. 39.1005 

39.10–9 ............................................................. 39.1009 

39.10–11 ........................................................... 39.1011 

39.10–13 ........................................................... 39.1013, 39.1015 

39.20–1 ............................................................. 39.2001 

39.20–3 ............................................................. 39.2003 

39.20–7 ............................................................. 39.2007 

39.20–9 ............................................................. 39.2009 

39.20–11 ........................................................... 39.2011 

39.20–13 ........................................................... 39.2013 

39.30–1 ............................................................. 39.3001 

39.40–1 ............................................................. 39.4001 

39.40–3 ............................................................. 39.4003 

39.40–5 ............................................................. 39.4005 

39.1001 (present 39.10–1) ........................ Revise applicability to reflect additional cargoes and VCS operations that have become subject 

to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Grandfather existing tank barges and provide for 5-year phase-in to moderate the economic impact of new requirements, and codify current USCG guidance. 

Add language explaining the difference between regulatory measurements and parenthetical 

measurements that are included only for convenience, to eliminate possible confusion as to 

which measurement is the focus of the regulation. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1003 (present 39.10–3) ........................ Add definitions to reflect substantive changes proposed elsewhere in the NPRM.

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1005 (present 39.10–5) ........................ Update, without substantive change, the general incorporation-by-reference section in line with 

current Office of the federal register requirements for the language of such sections. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1009 (present 39.10–9) ........................ Clarify, without substantive change, that vapor processing units can be either permanent or 

portable. 

Clarify, without substantive change, that vapor processing unit piping and components need to 

meet 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter F and electrical equipment need to meet 46 CFR chapter I, 

subchapter J. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1011 (present 39.10–11) ...................... Add new pre-cleaning procedures, which have become subject to Federal or State regulatory 

coverage since 1990, to personnel training requirements. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1013, 39.1015 (present 39.10–13) ....... Clarify, without substantive change, by placing alternative for foreign-flagged vessels in a separate section (39.1015). 

For the regulated public’s benefit, provide additional information about the process for Marine 

Safety Center review and approval of proposed modification of existing USCG-approved vapor 

collection system. 

Clarify, without substantive change, that vapor processing unit is reviewed with tank vessel as a 

system. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.1017 ...................................................... Add new section for tank barge multi-breasted loading, to reflect post-1990 operational practice 

improvements, and cargo tank gas-freeing or cleaning operations, which have become subject 

to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

39.2001 (present 39.20–1) ........................ Allow flexible hoses and quick disconnect couplings, to reflect technology advances since 1990. 

Require overfill alarm and shutdown systems as primary overfill protection for toxic cargoes, to 

reflect technology advances since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes, conform cross references to reflect proposed 

redesignations, and update or add standards that are incorporated by reference. 

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TABLE 1—PROPOSED CHANGES IN MARINE VCS REGULATIONS—Continued 

Section Proposed change and justification 

39.2003 (present 39.20–3) ........................ Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.2007 (present 39.20–7) ........................ Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.2009 (present 39.20–9) ........................ Clarify, without substantive change, tank overfill sensor switch requirements.

Add provisions for tank barges with toxic cargoes that have become subject to Federal or State 

regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes, conform cross references to reflect proposed 

redesignations, and update or add standards that are incorporated by reference. 

39.2011 (present 39.20–11) ...................... Revise cargo tank venting system capacity requirement to reflect additional cargoes that have 

become subject to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990, in line with current USCG 

guidance. 

Clarify, without substantive change, the range of vacuum pressure at which cargo tank venting 

system cannot relieve. 

Allow liquid-filled pressure-vacuum breakers, to reflect new technology since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.2013 (present 39.20–13) ...................... Clarify, without substantive change, the location requirement for pressure sensors. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.2014 ...................................................... Add new section for polymerizing cargoes that have become subject to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

39.2015 ...................................................... Add new section for tank barge pressure sensors, to improve safety and to reflect new technology since 1990. 

39.3001 (present 39.30–1) ........................ Replace obsolete ‘‘letter of adequacy’’ requirement with certification and operations manual endorsement requirements. 

Clarify, without substantive change, the venting capacities of pressure-vacuum relief valves 

used in determining cargo loading rates. 

Clarify, without substantive change, the metallic sampling equipment bonded requirement for 

static accumulating cargoes. 

Revise oxygen concentration requirements to reflect additional cargoes that have become subject to Federal or State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

Update or add, generally to reflect technology advances since 1990, industry standards that are 

incorporated by reference. 

39.4001 (present 39.40–1) ........................ Revise to reflect additional operations and cargoes that have become subject to Federal or 

State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.4003 (present 39.40–3) ........................ Revise to reflect additional operations and cargoes that have become subject to Federal or 

State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Clarify, without substantive change, that the detonation arrester requirement applies only to 

non-inerted flammable or combustible cargoes that are subject to serious flame or combustion 

risks. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.4005 (present 39.40–5) ........................ Revise to reflect additional operations and cargoes that have become subject to Federal or 

State regulatory coverage since 1990. 

Make nonsubstantive wording or style changes and conform cross references to reflect proposed redesignations. 

39.5001–39.5005 ....................................... Add new sections on tank barge multi-breasted loading, to reflect post-1990 operational practice 

improvements in line with current USCG policy; thereby eliminating the current need, explained 

in Part III of this preamble, for equivalency or exemption determinations based on design information and calculations. 

39.6001–39.6009 ....................................... Add new sections on tank barge cleaning operations, which have become subject to Federal or 

State regulatory coverage since 1990, in line with existing USCG guidance provided by NVIC 

No. 1–96, as modified by CTAC recommendations. 

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65160 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

V. Incorporation by Reference 

Material proposed for incorporation 

by reference appears in 33 CFR 154.106 

and 46 CFR 39.1005. You may inspect 

this material at U.S. Coast Guard 

Headquarters where indicated under 

ADDRESSES. Copies of the material are 

available from the sources listed in 33 

CFR 154.106 and 46 CFR 39.1005. 

Before publishing a binding rule, we 

will submit this material to the Director 

of the Federal Register for approval of 

the incorporation by reference. 

VI. Regulatory Analyses 

We developed this proposed rule after 

considering numerous statutes and 

executive orders related to rulemaking. 

Below we summarize our analyses 

based on 13 of these statutes or 

executive orders. 

A. Regulatory Planning and Review 

This proposed rule is not a significant 

regulatory action under section 3(f) of 

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 

Planning and Review, and does not 

require an assessment of potential costs 

and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that 

Order. OMB has not reviewed it under 

that Order. 

A combined preliminary Regulatory 

Analysis and an Initial Regulatory 

Flexibility Analysis is available in the 

docket where indicated under the 

‘‘Public Participation and Request for 

Comments’’ section of this preamble. A 

summary of the analysis follows: 

The proposed rule would revise the 

existing regulations (33 CFR Parts 154 

and 156, 46 CFR Parts 35 and 39) 

regarding the safety of facility and 

vessel VCSs. This rulemaking would 

amend the regulations to make VCS 

requirements more compatible with 

other Federal and State environmental 

requirements, regulate industry 

advancements in VCS technology, and 

codify the standards for VCSs at tank 

barge cleaning facilities. The proposed 

rule would increase the safety of 

operations by regulating the design, 

installation, and use of VCSs, but would 

not require anyone to install or use 

VCSs. 

The proposed rule would provide 

additional requirements for VCS 

equipment, compliance documentation, 

training, and operations. In general, this 

rulemaking would: 

• Add new requirements for 

certifications, recertifications, periodic 

operational reviews, and approval 

processes for certain operations 

concerning VCSs to improve safety. 

These various requirements mainly 

affect facilities with VCSs, including 

tank barge cleaning facilities. 

• Require new training or amend 

training requirements to improve safety. 

These proposed training requirements 

affect facilities with VCSs (including 

tank barge cleaning facilities) and tank 

barge owners and operators. 

• Permit cargo line clearing; however, 

there would be some requirements to 

receive Coast Guard permission to do 

so. 

• Provide foreign-flagged tank barges 

some flexibility for certification 

procedures. 

• Add new requirements for certain 

equipment on U.S.-flagged tank barges 

and at tank barge cleaning facilities and 

other facilities with VCSs to improve 

safety and environmental protection. 

• Removes certain requirements in 

order to offer cost savings. This change 

mainly impacts facilities with VCSs. 

The proposed rule is necessary to 

reflect the expansion of Federal and 

State regulations for VCSs since the 

current regulations were adopted in 

1990, and to reflect technological 

advances over that period. Without 

revisions to the regulation by the Coast 

Guard, market failures would persist in 

creating situations of uncompensated 

risk. In the case of this proposed rule, 

the uncompensated risks accrue to the 

public, maritime commerce, and 

mariners in the form of safety hazards. 

Affected Population 

Based on Coast Guard data, we 

estimate this proposed rule would affect 

234 facilities with VCSs, 25 certifying 

entities, 15 tank barge cleaning 

facilities, 216 U.S.-flagged tank barge 

owners, and owners of 338 foreignflagged tank barges. 

Costs 

Over a 10-year period of analysis, we 

estimate the total present value cost of 

the rulemaking to be approximately $8.8 

million at a 7 percent discount rate and 

approximately $10.3 million at a 

3 percent discount rate. Over the same 

10-year period of analysis, we estimate 

the annualized cost of this proposed 

rule to be $1.3 million at 7 percent and 

$1.2 million at 3 percent. 

Benefits 

The proposed rule would amend 

existing regulations regarding VCSs in 

marine activities. The Coast Guard is 

pursuing this amendment to existing 

standards to reflect technological 

improvements and to expand 

environmental protection. The proposed 

rule would promote maritime safety and 

environmental stewardship. It offers 

provisions for more practicable and 

efficient management of hazardous 

materials. The proposed rule contains 

some provisions which would offer 

facilities the opportunity to reduce 

maintenance costs. 

See the preliminary Regulatory 

Analysis available in the docket for a 

detailed analysis of the costs and 

benefits of this rulemaking. 

B. Small Entities 

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

(5 U.S.C. 601–612), we have considered 

the impact of this rule on small entities. 

The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises 

small businesses, not-for-profit 

organizations that are independently 

owned and operated and are not 

dominant in their fields, and 

governmental jurisdictions with 

populations of fewer than 50,000. 

A combined preliminary Regulatory 

Analysis and Initial Regulatory 

Flexibility Analysis discussing the 

impact of this proposed rule on small 

entities is available in the docket where 

indicated under the ‘‘Public 

Participation and Request for 

Comments’’ section of this preamble. 

Based on our analysis, we estimate 

that small entities affected by this 

rulemaking are primarily small 

businesses consisting of certifying 

entities, owners and operators of tank 

barge cleaning facilities, tank barges, 

and facilities with VCSs. We did not 

find data to suggest small not-for-profit 

organizations or small government 

entities would be directly affected by 

this rulemaking. In addition, certifying 

entities would incur no additional costs 

due to the proposed rule and are not 

analyzed further. We evaluated the 

impact on small entities for each 

segment of industry that incur 

additional costs, since this rulemaking 

would require different provisions for 

owners and operators of tank barge 

cleaning facilities, tank barges, and 

facilities with VCSs. 

Based on our assessment, 54 percent 

of tank barge owners affected by this 

rulemaking would be considered small 

by Small Business Administration 

(SBA) size standards. We estimate 97 

percent of these small entities would 

incur cost impacts that are 

1 percent or less than their annual 

revenues during the highest cost year 

(implementation year). The remainder 

would incur annual cost impacts 

between 1 and 3 percent of their annual 

revenues. 

We estimate 8 percent of facilities 

with VCSs would be small by SBA size 

standards. We estimate that almost 93 

percent of these small entities would 

incur annual cost impacts that are 1 

percent or less than their annual 

revenues during the highest cost year 

(implementation year) as well as 

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annually. Another 7 percent would have 

cost impacts between 1 to 3 percent of 

their revenue. 

We estimate all of the tank barge 

cleaning facilities are considered small 

by SBA size standards. We estimate 64 

percent of these tank barge cleaning 

facilities would incur cost impacts that 

are potentially greater than 3 percent of 

their annual revenues during the highest 

cost year (implementation year). 

However, the proposed rule would 

codify existing voluntary standards for 

tank barge cleaning facilities. We 

anticipate the cost impacts to tank barge 

cleaning facilities may be overestimates. 

We are interested in the potential 

impacts from this proposed rule on 

small businesses and we request public 

comment on these potential impacts. If 

you think that your business, 

organization, or governmental 

jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity 

and that this rulemaking would have a 

significant economic impact on it, 

please submit a comment to the Docket 

Management Facility at the address 

under ADDRESSES. In your comment, 

explain why, how, and to what degree 

you think this rule would have an 

economic impact on you. 

C. Assistance for Small Entities 

Under section 213(a) of the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121), 

we want to assist small entities in 

understanding this proposed rule so that 

they can better evaluate its effects on 

them and participate in the rulemaking. 

If the proposed rule would affect your 

small business, organization, or 

governmental jurisdiction and you have 

questions concerning its provisions or 

options for compliance, please consult 

Ms. Sara Ju at the address listed under 

ADDRESSES. The Coast Guard will not 

retaliate against small entities that 

question or complain about this rule or 

any policy or action of the Coast Guard. 

Small businesses may send comments 

on the actions of Federal employees 

who enforce, or otherwise determine 

compliance with, Federal regulations to 

the Small Business and Agriculture 

Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman 

and the Regional Small Business 

Regulatory Fairness Boards. The 

Ombudsman evaluates these actions 

annually and rates each agency’s 

responsiveness to small business. If you 

wish to comment on actions by 

employees of the Coast Guard, call 

1–888–REG–FAIR (1–888–734–3247). 

D. Collection of Information 

This proposed rule would require an 

amendment to an existing collection of 

information (1625–0060) as defined by 

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

(44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). As defined in 

5 CFR 1320.3(c), ‘‘collection of 

information’’ comprises reporting, 

recordkeeping, monitoring, posting, 

labeling, and other similar actions. The 

title and description of the information 

collections, a description of those who 

must collect the information, and an 

estimate of the total annual burden 

follow. The estimate covers the time for 

reviewing instructions, searching 

existing sources of data, gathering and 

maintaining the data needed, and 

completing and reviewing the 

collection. 

Title: Vapor Control Systems for 

Facilities and Tank Vessels. 

OMB Control Number: 1625–0060. 

Summary of the Collection of 

Information: This collection of 

information ensures industry 

compliance with safety standards for 

VCSs. The proposed rule would require 

recordkeeping and reporting on the 

design and use of VCSs. The proposed 

rule contains collection of information 

requirements which include: 

Certifications, recertifications, approval 

requests, review of operating manuals, 

failure analyses, operational review 

letters, and relabeling. The collection of 

information would aid the Coast Guard 

and industry in assuring safe practices 

associated with VCSs. 

Need for Information: The Coast 

Guard needs this information to ensure 

industry use of VCS requirements are 

compatible with new Federal and State 

environmental requirements, to regulate 

industry advancements in VCS 

technology, and to ensure the safe 

design and operation of a VCS at a tank 

barge cleaning facility. 

Proposed Use of Information: The 

Coast Guard would use this information 

to determine whether an entity meets 

the statutory requirements. 

Description of the Respondents: The 

respondents are owners/operators of 

tank barge cleaning facilities, facilities 

and tank vessels. Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements will be 

completed by facility and vessel 

owners/operators, persons in charge, 

engineers, maintenance workers, and 

operations managers of affected tank 

barges, tank barge cleaning facilities, 

facilities, and certifying entities. 

Number of Respondents: The burden 

change of this collection of information 

includes certifications, re-certifications, 

approval requests, reviewing operating 

manuals, preparing operational review 

letters, and relabeling. This collection of 

information applies to various owners 

and operators of tank barges, facilities, 

tank barge cleaning facilities, and 

certifying entities. We estimate the total 

number of respondents is 490. 

Frequency of Responses: This 

proposed rule will vary the number of 

responses each year by requirement. 

Some actions are one time only and 

others are required more frequently. 

Burden of Response: This collection 

of information applies to certifying 

entities, tank barge owners/operators 

and owners/operators of facilities with 

VCS. The Coast Guard estimates the 

total number of respondents is 490. The 

burden of response varies by collection 

of information requirement. 

Estimate of Total Annual Burden: The 

total annual burden is estimated to 

increase by 7,197 hours (as a result of 

the proposed rule. 

As required by the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 

3507(d)), we will submit a copy of this 

proposed rule to OMB for its review of 

the collection of information. 

We ask for public comment on the 

proposed collection of information to 

help us determine how useful the 

information is; whether it can help us 

perform our functions better; whether it 

is readily available elsewhere; how 

accurate our estimate of the burden of 

collection is; how valid our methods for 

determining burden are; how we can 

improve the quality, usefulness, and 

clarity of the information; and, how we 

can minimize the burden of collection. 

If you submit comments on the 

collection of information, submit them 

both to OMB and to the Docket 

Management Facility where indicated 

under ADDRESSES, by the date under 

DATES. 

You need not respond to a collection 

of information unless it displays a 

currently valid control number from 

OMB. Before the Coast Guard could 

enforce the collection of information 

requirements in this proposed rule, 

OMB would need to approve the 

E. Federalism 

A rule has implications for federalism 

under Executive Order 13132, 

Federalism, if it has a substantial direct 

effect on State or local governments and 

would either preempt State law or 

impose a substantial direct cost of 

compliance on them. We have analyzed 

this proposed rule under that Order and 

have determined that it does not have 

implications for federalism. 

F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires 

Federal agencies to assess the effects of 

their discretionary regulatory actions. In 

particular, the Act addresses actions 

that may result in the expenditure by a 

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State, local, or Tribal government, in the 

aggregate, or by the private sector of 

$100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or 

more in any one year. Though this 

proposed rule would not result in such 

an expenditure, we do discuss the 

effects of this rule elsewhere in this 

preamble. 

G. Taking of Private Property 

This proposed rule would not cause a 

taking of private property or otherwise 

have taking implications under 

Executive Order 12630, Governmental 

Actions and Interference with 

Constitutionally Protected Property 

Rights. 

H. Civil Justice Reform 

This proposed rule meets applicable 

standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of 

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice 

Reform, to minimize litigation, 

eliminate ambiguity, and reduce 

burden. 

I. Protection of Children 

We have analyzed this proposed rule 

under Executive Order 13045, 

Protection of Children from 

Environmental Health Risks and Safety 

Risks. This rule is not an economically 

significant rule and would not create an 

environmental risk to health or risk to 

safety that might disproportionately 

affect children. 

J. Indian Tribal Governments 

This proposed rule does not have 

Tribal implications under Executive 

Order 13175, Consultation and 

Coordination with Indian Tribal 

Governments, because it would not have 

a substantial direct effect on one or 

more Indian Tribes, on the relationship 

between the Federal Government and 

Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of 

power and responsibilities between the 

Federal Government and Indian Tribes. 

K. Energy Effects 

We have analyzed this proposed rule 

under Executive Order 13211, Actions 

Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use. We have 

determined that it is not a ‘‘significant 

energy action’’ under that order because 

it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ 

under Executive Order 12866 and is not 

likely to have a significant adverse effect 

on the supply, distribution, or use of 

energy. The Administrator of the Office 

of Information and Regulatory Affairs 

has not designated it as a significant 

energy action. Therefore, it does not 

require a Statement of Energy Effects 

under Executive Order 13211. 

L. Technical Standards 

The National Technology Transfer 

and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 

U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use 

voluntary consensus standards in their 

regulatory activities unless the agency 

provides Congress, through the Office of 

Management and Budget, with an 

explanation why using these standards 

would be inconsistent with applicable 

law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary 

consensus standards are technical 

standards (e.g., specifications of 

materials, performance, design, or 

operation; test methods; sampling 

procedures; and related management 

systems practices) that are developed or 

adopted by voluntary consensus 

standards bodies. 

This proposed rule uses voluntary 

consensus standards from the following 

organizations: American Petroleum 

Institute (API), American National 

Standards Institute (ANSI), American 

Society for Testing and Materials 

(ASTM), International Electrotechnical 

Commission (IEC), International 

Maritime Organization (IMO), National 

Electrical Manufacturers Association 

(NEMA), National Fire Protection 

Association (NFPA), Oil Companies 

International Marine Forum (OCIMF), 

and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 

(UL). The proposed sections that 

reference these standards and the 

locations of these standards are listed in 

33 CFR 154.106 and 46 CFR 39.1005. 

If you disagree with our analysis of 

the voluntary consensus standards 

listed above or are aware of voluntary 

consensus standards that might apply 

but are not listed, please send a 

comment to the docket using one of the 

methods under ADDRESSES. In your 

comment, please explain why you 

disagree with our analysis and/or 

identify voluntary consensus standards 

we have not listed that might apply. 

M. Environment 

We have analyzed this proposed rule 

under Department of Homeland 

Security Management Directive 023–01 

and Commandant Instruction 

M16475.lD, which guide the Coast 

Guard in complying with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and 

have made a preliminary determination 

that this action is one of a category of 

actions which do not individually or 

cumulatively have a significant effect on 

the human environment. A preliminary 

environmental analysis checklist 

supporting this determination is 

available in the docket where indicated 

under the ‘‘Public Participation and 

Request for Comments’’ section of this 

preamble. This rule involves regulations 

concerning vessel operation safety 

standards and regulations concerning 

manning, documentation, 

admeasurement, inspection, and 

equipping of vessels. We seek any 

comments or information that may lead 

to the discovery of a significant 

environmental impact from this 

proposed rule. 

List of Subjects 

33 CFR Part 154 

Alaska, Fire prevention, Hazardous 

substances, Incorporation by reference, 

Oil pollution, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

33 CFR Part 155 

Alaska, Hazardous substances, Oil 

pollution, Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. 

33 CFR Part 156 

Hazardous substances, Oil pollution, 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Water pollution control. 

46 CFR Part 35 

Cargo vessels, Marine safety, 

Navigation (water), Occupational safety 

and health, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Seamen. 

46 CFR Part 39 

Cargo vessels, Fire prevention, 

Hazardous materials transportation, 

Incorporation by reference, Marine 

safety, Occupational safety and health, 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to 

amend 33 CFR chapter I, and 46 CFR 

chapter I as follows: 

33 CFR—Navigation and Navigable 

Waters 

PART 154—FACILITIES 

TRANSFERRING OIL OR HAZARDOUS 

MATERIAL IN BULK 

1. The authority citation for part 154 

is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225, 1231, 

1321(j)(1)(C), (j)(5), (j)(6), and (m)(2); sec. 2, 

E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757; Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

Subpart F is also issued under 33 U.S.C. 

2735. Vapor control recovery provisions of 

Subpart P are also issued under 42 U.S.C. 

7511b(f)(2). 

2. Revise § 154.106 to read as follows: 

§ 154.106 Incorporation by reference. 

(a) Certain material is incorporated by 

reference into this part with the 

approval of the Director of the Federal 

Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 

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CFR part 51. To enforce any edition 

other than that specified in this section, 

the Coast Guard must publish a notice 

of change in the Federal Register and 

the material must be available to the 

public. All approved material is 

available for inspection at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the 

availability of this material at NARA, 

call 202–741–6030 or go to http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. Also, it is available 

for inspection at the Coast Guard, Office 

of Operating and Environmental 

Standards (CG–522), 2100 2nd Street, 

SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593– 

7126, and is available from the sources 

indicated in this section. 

(b) American Petroleum Institute 

(API), 1220 L Street, NW., Washington, 

DC 20005. 

(1) API Standard 2000, Venting 

Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage 

Tanks (Non-refrigerated and 

Refrigerated), Third Edition, January 

1982 (reaffirmed December 1987) (‘‘API 

2000’’), incorporation by reference (IBR) 

approved for 33 CFR 154.2103 and 

154.2203. 

(2) API Recommended Practice 550, 

Manual on Installation of Refinery 

Instruments and Control Systems, Part 

II—Process Stream Analyzers, Section 

1—Oxygen Analyzers, Fourth Edition, 

February 1985 (‘‘API 550’’), IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(c) American National Standards 

Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 

4th floor, New York, NY 10036. 

(1) ANSI B16.5, Steel Pipe Flanges 

and Flanged Fittings, 1988, IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.500, 154.2100, 

154.2101, 154.2202, and 33 CFR part 

154, Appendix A. 

(2) ANSI B16.24, Bronze Pipe Flanges 

and Flange Fittings Class 150 and 300, 

1979, IBR approved for 33 CFR 154.500 

and 154.2100. 

(3) ANSI B16.34, Valves—Flanged, 

Threaded, and Welding End, 2004, IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.2100. 

(4) ANSI B31.3, Chemical Plant and 

Petroleum Refinery Piping, 1987 

(including B31.3a–1988, B31.3b–1988, 

and B31.3c–1989 addenda), IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.510 and 

154.2100. 

(d) American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor 

Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428– 

2959. 

(1) ASTM F 631–93, Standard Guide 

for Collecting Skimmer Performance 

Data in Controlled Environments 

(‘‘ASTM F 631’’), IBR approved for 33 

CFR part 154, Appendix C. 

(2) ASTM F 715–95, Standard Test 

Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil 

Spill Control and Storage (‘‘ASTM F 

715’’), IBR approved for 33 CFR part 

154, Appendix C. 

(3) ASTM F 722–82 (1993), Standard 

Specification for Welded Joints for 

Shipboard Piping Systems (‘‘ASTM F 

722’’), IBR approved for 33 CFR part 

154, Appendix A. 

(4) ASTM F 1122–87 (1992), Standard 

Specification for Quick Disconnect 

Couplings (‘‘ASTM F 1122’’), IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.500. 

(5) ASTM F 1155–98, Standard 

Practice for Selection and Application 

of Piping System Materials (‘‘ASTM F 

1155’’), IBR approved for 33 CFR part 

154, Appendix A. 

(6) ASTM F 1273–91 (Reapproved 

1996) Standard Specification for Tank 

Vent Flame Arresters (‘‘ASTM F 1273’’), 

IBR approved for 33 CFR 154.2001. 

(e) International Electrotechnical 

Commission (IEC), Bureau Central de la 

Commission Electrotechnique 

Internationale, 3, rue de Varembe ́, P.O. 

Box 131, CH—1211 Geneva 20, 

Switzerland. 

(1) IEC 60309–1 Plugs, Socket-Outlets 

and Couplers for Industrial Purposes— 

Part 1: General Requirements, Edition 

4.1 2005–12, IBR approved for 33 CFR 

154.2102. 

(2) IEC 60309–2 Plugs, Socket-Outlets 

and Couplers for Industrial Purposes— 

Part 2: Dimensional Interchangeability 

Requirements for Pin and Contact-tube 

Accessories, Edition 4.1 2005–12, IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.2102. 

(f) National Electrical Manufacturers 

Association (NEMA), 1300 North 17th 

Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209. 

(1) ANSI NEMA WD–6—Wiring 

Devices, Dimensional Requirements, 

1988 (‘‘NEMA WD–6’’), IBR approved for 

33 CFR 154.2102. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(g) National Fire Protection 

Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch 

Park, Quincy, MA 02169–7471. 

(1) NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire 

Prevention in Use of Cutting and 

Welding Processes, 1994, IBR approved 

for 33 CFR 154.735. 

(2) NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 

1987, IBR approved for 33 CFR 154.735. 

(3) NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 

2002, IBR approved for 33 CFR 154.2100 

and 154.2102. 

(h) Oil Companies International 

Marine Forum (OCIMF), 29 Queen 

Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BU, 

England. 

(1) International Safety Guide for Oil 

Tankers and Terminals, Fifth Ed., 2006 

(‘‘ISGOTT’’), IBR approved for 33 CFR 

154.735, 154.2101, and 154.2203. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(i) Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 

(UL), 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, 

IL 60062. 

(1) UL 525 Standard for Flame 

Arresters, 8th Edition, May 9, 2008, IBR 

approved for 33 CFR 154.2001. 

(2) [Reserved] 

3. In § 154.310, revise paragraph (b) to 

read as follows: 

§ 154.310 Operations manual: Contents. 

* * * * * 

(b)(1) The operations manual must 

contain a description of the facility’s 

vapor control system (VCS), if the 

facility— 

(i) Collects vapor emitted from vessel 

cargo tanks for recovery, destruction, or 

dispersion; or 

(ii) Balances vapor to or from vessel 

cargo tanks. 

(2) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

include a line diagram or simplified 

piping and instrumentation diagram 

(P&ID) of the facility’s VCS piping, 

including the location of each valve, 

control device, pressure-vacuum relief 

valve, pressure indicator, flame arrester, 

and detonation arrester; 

(3) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

describe the design and operation of 

its— 

(i) Vapor line connection; 

(ii) Startup and shutdown procedures; 

(iii) Steady-state operating 

procedures; 

(iv) Provisions for dealing with 

pyrophoric sulfide (for facilities which 

handle inerted vapors of cargoes 

containing sulfur); 

(v) Alarms and shutdown devices; 

and 

(vi) Pre-transfer equipment inspection 

requirements. 

(4) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

include all test procedures and a 

checklist for use during the testing of 

the VCS required by 33 CFR 156.170(g). 

The test procedures must specify— 

(i) All tests required for initial 

certification under 33 CFR 154.2022(d); 

(ii) All components that are to be 

tested; and 

(iii) Procedures for testing each 

component. 

(5) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

include— 

(i) A list of all cargoes the VCS is 

approved to control; and 

(ii) Copies of any Coast Guard letters 

exempting the VCS from regulatory 

requirements. 

(6) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

include detailed operating instructions 

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for a cargo line clearance system as 

described in 33 CFR 154.2104, if such 

a system is used by a facility; 

(7) The VCS description required by 

paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 

include the following for a tank barge 

cleaning facility: 

(i) A physical description of the 

facility and facility plan showing 

mooring areas, locations where cleaning 

operations are conducted, control 

stations, and locations of safety 

equipment; 

(ii) The sizes, types, and number of 

tank barges from which the facility can 

conduct cleaning operations 

simultaneously; and 

(iii) The minimum number of persons 

required to be on duty during cleaning 

operations and the duties of each. 

* * * * * 

4. Revise § 154.500 to read as follows: 

§ 154.500 Hose assemblies. 

Each hose assembly used for 

transferring oil or hazardous material 

must meet the following requirements: 

(a) The minimum design burst 

pressure for each hose assembly must be 

at least four times the sum of the 

pressure of the relief valve setting (or 

four times the maximum pump pressure 

when no relief valve is installed) plus 

the static head pressure of the transfer 

system, at the point where the hose is 

installed. 

(b) The maximum allowable working 

pressure (MAWP) for each hose 

assembly must be more than the sum of 

the pressure of the relief valve setting 

(or the maximum pump pressure when 

no relief valve is installed) plus the 

static head pressure of the transfer 

system, at the point where the hose is 

installed. 

(c) Each nonmetallic hose must be 

usable for oil or hazardous material 

service. 

(d) Each hose assembly must either 

have— 

(1) Full threaded connections; 

(2) Flanges that meet ANSI B16.5 or 

ANSI B.16.24 (both incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106); or 

(3) Quick-disconnect couplings that 

meet ASTM F 1122 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106). 

(e) Each hose must be marked with 

one of the following: 

(1) The name of each product for 

which the hose may be used; or 

(2) For oil products, the words ‘‘OIL 

SERVICE’’; or 

(3) For hazardous materials, the words 

‘‘HAZMAT SERVICE—SEE LIST’’ 

followed immediately by a letter, 

number or other symbol that 

corresponds to a list or chart contained 

in the facility’s operations manual or the 

vessel’s transfer procedure documents 

which identifies the products that may 

be transferred through a hose bearing 

that symbol. 

(f) Each hose also must be marked 

with the following, except that the 

information required by paragraphs 

(f)(2) and (3) of this section need not be 

marked on the hose if it is recorded in 

the hose records of the vessel or facility, 

and the hose is marked to identify it 

with that information: 

(1) Maximum allowable working 

pressure; 

(2) Date of manufacture; and 

(3) Date of the latest test required by 

33 CFR 156.170. 

(g) The hose burst pressure and the 

pressure used for the test required by 33 

CFR 156.170 must not be marked on the 

hose and must be recorded elsewhere at 

the facility as described in paragraph (f) 

of this section. 

(h) Each hose used to transfer fuel to 

a vessel that has a fill pipe for which 

containment cannot practically be 

provided must be equipped with an 

automatic back pressure shutoff nozzle. 

5. In § 154.735— 

a. In paragraph (q), remove the term 

‘‘NFPA 70’’ and add, in its place, the 

words ‘‘NFPA 70 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106)’’; and 

b. Revise paragraph (s) to read as 

follows: 

§ 154.735 Safety requirements. 

* * * * * 

(s) Tank-cleaning or gas-freeing 

operations conducted by the facility on 

vessels carrying oil residues or mixtures 

must be conducted in accordance with 

sections 11.3 and 11.4 of OCIMF 

ISGOTT (incorporated by reference, see 

33 CFR 154.106), except that— 

(1) Prohibitions in ISGOTT against the 

use of recirculated wash water do not 

apply if the wash water is first 

processed to remove product residues; 

(2) The provisions in ISGOTT section 

11.3.6.10 that removal of sludge, scale, 

and sediment do not apply if personnel 

use breathing apparatuses which protect 

them from the tank atmosphere; and 

(3) Upon the request of the facility 

owner or operator in accordance with 33 

CFR 154.107, the COTP may approve 

the use of alternate standards to ISGOTT 

if the COTP determines that the 

alternative standards provide an equal 

level of protection to the ISGOTT 

standards. 

* * * * * 

§ 154.740 [Amended] 

6. In § 154.740— 

a. In paragraph (g), remove the 

reference ‘‘subpart E’’ and add, in their 

place, the reference ‘‘subpart P’’; and 

b. In paragraph (i), remove the 

reference ‘‘§ 154.804 of this part’’ and 

add, in their place, the reference ‘‘33 

CFR 154.2023’’. 

7. Remove subpart E (consisting of 

§§ 154.800 through 154.850) in its 

entirety. 

8. Reserve subparts J through O. 

9. Add new subpart P to read as 

follows: 

Subpart P—Marine Vapor Control Systems 

General 

Sec. 

154.2000 Applicability. 

154.2001 Definitions. 

Certifying Entities 

154.2010 Qualifications for acceptance as a 

certifying entity. 

154.2011 Application for acceptance as a 

certifying entity. 

Certification, Recertification, and 

Operational Review 

154.2020 Certification and recertification— 

Owner/operator responsibilities. 

154.2021 Operational review—Owner/ 

operator responsibilities. 

154.2022 Certification, recertification, or 

operational review—Certifying entity 

responsibilities, generally. 

154.2023 Certification, recertification, or 

operational review—Certifying entity 

documentation. 

Personnel 

154.2030 Transfer facilities. 

154.2031 Tank barge cleaning facilities. 

Transfer Facilities—VCS Design and 

Installation 

154.2100 Vapor control system, general. 

154.2101 Requirements for facility vapor 

connections. 

154.2102 Facility requirements for vessel 

liquid overfill protection. 

154.2103 Facility requirements for vessel 

vapor overpressure and vacuum 

protection. 

154.2104 Cargo line clearance system. 

154.2105 Fire, explosion, and detonation 

protection. 

154.2106 Detonation arresters installation. 

154.2107 Inerting, enriching, and diluting 

systems. 

154.2108 Vapor-moving devices. 

154.2109 Vapor recovery and vapor 

destruction units. 

154.2110 Vapor balancing requirements. 

154.2111 Vapor control system connected 

to a facility’s main vapor control system. 

154.2112 Vapors with potential to 

polymerize or freeze—Special 

requirements. 

154.2113 Alkylene oxides—Special 

requirements. 

Transfer Facilities—Operations 

154.2150 General requirements. 

Alternative Analyzer and Pressure Sensor 

Reliability Testing 

154.2180 Alternative testing program— 

Generally. 

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154.2181 Alternative testing program—Test 

requirements. 

Tank Barge Cleaning Facilities—VCS Design 

and Installation 

154.2200 Applicable transfer facility design 

and installation requirements. 

154.2201 Vapor control system—General 

requirements. 

154.2202 Vapor line connections. 

154.2203 Facility requirements for barge 

vapor overpressure and vacuum 

protection. 

154.2204 Fire, explosion, and detonation 

protection. 

Tank Barge Cleaning Facilities—Operations 

154.2250 General requirements. 

General 

§ 154.2000 Applicability. 

(a) Except as specified by paragraphs 

(b) through (g) of this section, this 

subpart applies to— 

(1) Each facility that controls vapors 

emitted to or from vessel cargo tanks; 

(2) A vessel, other than a tank vessel, 

that has a vapor processing unit located 

onboard for recovery, destruction, or 

dispersion of vapors from a tank vessel’s 

cargo tanks; 

(3) Certifying entities that review, 

inspect, test, and certificate facility 

vapor control systems (VCSs); or 

(4) A facility VCS that receives cargo 

vapor from a vessel when the VCS is 

connected to a facility’s main VCS that 

serves plant processing areas, such as 

tank storage areas or tank truck or 

railcar loading areas, unrelated to tank 

vessel operations. The requirements of 

this subpart apply between the vessel 

vapor connection and the point where 

the VCS connects to the facility’s main 

VCS. 

(b) Each facility that has an existing 

certified VCS that meets the 

requirements of this subpart and that 

has been operating since July 23, 1990, 

must comply with this amended subpart 

by [DATE THREE YEARS AFTER 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE]. 

(c) A facility with a Coast Guardapproved VCS operating prior to July 

23, 1990, must comply with 33 CFR 

154.2150 but otherwise need not 

comply with this subpart so long as it 

does not have any design or 

configuration alterations after its 

approval and receives cargo vapor only 

from the specific vessels for which it 

was originally approved. 

(d) A facility that uses a vapor 

balancing system to transfer vapor from 

a railcar or a tank truck to a vessel cargo 

tank while offloading the vessel must 

have approval from the Commandant. 

(e) A facility that transfers vapor from 

a facility tank to a cargo tank of a vessel 

which is not offloading cargo must have 

approval from the Commandant. 

(f) A tank vessel that has a permanent 

or portable vapor processing unit 

located onboard must meet the 

requirements of this subpart to the 

satisfaction of the Commandant, in 

addition to complying with the 

requirements of 46 CFR part 39. 

(g) This subpart does not apply to the 

collection of vapors of liquefied 

flammable gases as defined in 46 CFR 

30.10–39. 

(h) This subpart does not require a 

facility or a vessel to control vapor, or 

a vessel to take away vapor from 

facilities; however, if a facility operates 

a VCS to control vapor to or from 

vessels, the facility must comply with 

the requirements of this subpart. 

(i) In this subpart, regulatory 

measurements, whether in the metric or 

English system, are sometimes followed 

by approximate equivalent 

measurements in parentheses, which are 

given solely for the reader’s 

convenience. Regulatory compliance 

with the regulatory measurement is 

required. 

§ 154.2001 Definitions. 

As used in this subpart only: 

Ambient temperature means the 

temperature of the environment in 

which an experiment is conducted or in 

which any physical or chemical event 

occurs. 

Barge cargo connection means the 

point in a barge’s cargo system where it 

connects with the hose assembly or 

loading arm used for cargo transfer. 

Barge vapor connection means the 

point in a barge’s piping system where 

it connects to a vapor collection hose or 

arm. This may be the same as the barge’s 

cargo connection as it controls vapors 

during barge cargo tank-cleaning 

operations. 

Base loading means a method of 

inerting, enriching, or diluting such that 

sufficient inerting, enriching, or diluting 

gas, for the worst concentration of vapor 

coming from the vessel, is injected into 

the vapor line during the entire loading 

operation so that the vapor mixture is 

inerted, enriched, or diluted at the 

maximum loading rate. For inerting and 

enriching systems, ‘‘worst 

concentration’’ means the vapor stream 

contains no cargo vapor. For a diluting 

system, ‘‘worst concentration’’ means the 

vapor stream is saturated with cargo 

vapor. 

Captain of the Port (COTP) means the 

cognizant Coast Guard Captain of the 

Port as defined in 33 CFR 154.105. 

Certifying entity means an individual 

or organization accepted by the 

Commandant to review plans, data, and 

calculations for vapor control system 

designs and to conduct inspections and 

witness tests of vapor control system 

installations. 

Cleaning operation means any 

stripping, gas-freeing, or tank-washing 

operation of a barge’s cargo tanks 

conducted at a cleaning facility. 

Combustible liquid means any liquid 

that has a flashpoint above 80 °F (as 

determined from an open-cup tester, as 

used to test burning oils) and includes 

Grade D and Grade E combustible 

liquids defined in 46 CFR 30.10–15. 

Commandant means Commandant 

(CG–522), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd 

St., SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 

20593–7126. 

Detonation arrester means a device 

that is acceptable to the Commandant 

and includes a detonation arrester that 

is designed, built, and tested in 

accordance with Appendix A of this 

part or by another method acceptable to 

the Commandant for arresting flames 

and detonations. 

Diluting means introducing a nonflammable and non-combustible gas 

with the objective of reducing the 

hydrocarbon content of a vapor mixture 

to below the lower flammable limit so 

that it will not burn. 

Drip leg means a section of piping that 

extends below piping grade to collect 

liquid passing through the vapor line 

and that has a diameter no more than 

the diameter of the pipe in which it is 

installed. 

Elevated temperature means the 

temperature that exceeds 70 percent of 

the auto-ignition temperature, in 

degrees Celsius, of the vapors being 

collected. 

Enriching means introducing a 

flammable gas with the objective of 

raising the hydrocarbon content of a 

vapor mixture above the upper 

flammable limit so that it will not burn. 

Existing vapor control system means a 

vapor control system that satisfies the 

requirements of this subpart as certified 

by a certifying entity prior to 

[EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE]. 

Facility main vapor control system 

means a vapor control system that 

primarily serves plant processing areas 

unrelated to tank vessel operations, 

such as the refinery process, tank 

storage areas, or tank truck or railcar 

loading areas. 

Facility operations manual means the 

manual required by 33 CFR 154.300, the 

contents of which are described in 33 

CFR 154.310. 

Facility vapor connection means the 

point in a facility’s vapor collection 

system where it connects to a vapor 

collection hose or the base of a vapor 

collection arm and is located at the dock 

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as close as possible to the tank vessel to 

minimize the length of the flexible 

vapor collection hose, thus reducing the 

hazards associated with the hose. 

Fail-safe means a piece of equipment 

or instrument that is designed such that 

if any element should fail, it would go 

to a safe condition. 

Fixed stripping line means a pipe 

extending to the low point of each cargo 

tank, welded through the deck and 

terminating above the deck with a valve 

plugged at the open end. 

Flammable liquid means any liquid 

that gives off flammable vapors (as 

determined by flashpoint from an opencup tester, as used to test burning oils) 

at or below a temperature of 80 °F, and 

includes Grades A, B, and C flammable 

liquids defined in 46 CFR 30.10–22. 

Flame arrester means a device that is 

designed, built, and tested in 

accordance with ASTM F 1273 or UL 

525 (both incorporated by reference, see 

33 CFR 154.106) for use in end-of-line 

applications for arresting flames. 

Flame screen means a fitted single 

screen of corrosion-resistant wire of at 

least 30-by-30 mesh, or two fitted 

screens, both of corrosion-resistant wire, 

of at least 20-by-20 mesh, spaced apart 

not fewer than 12.7 millimeters (0.5 

inch) or more than 38.1 millimeters (1.5 

inches). 

Fluid displacement system means a 

system that removes vapors from a 

barge’s cargo tanks during gas freeing 

through the addition of an inert gas or 

other medium into the cargo tank. 

Fluid injection connection means the 

point in a fluid displacement system at 

which the fixed piping or hose that 

supplies the inert gas or other medium 

connects to a barge’s cargo tanks or 

fixed piping system. 

Gas freeing means the removal of 

vapors from a tank barge. 

Grade A, B, C, D, or E means any 

Grade A, B, or C flammable liquid 

defined in 46 CFR 30.10–22 or any 

Grade D or E combustible liquid defined 

in 46 CFR 30.10–15. 

High flash point cargoes means Grade 

E cargoes and cargoes having a closedcup flash point higher than 60 °C (140 

°F), carried at a temperature no higher 

than 5 °C (9 °F) below their flash points. 

Inerted means the oxygen content of 

the vapor space in a tank vessel’s cargo 

tank is reduced to 60 percent or less by 

volume of the vapor’s minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion, or to 8 

percent by volume or less for the vapor 

of crude oil, gasoline blends, or 

benzene, by addition of an inert gas, in 

accordance with the inert gas 

requirements of 46 CFR 32.53 or 46 CFR 

153.500. 

Inerting or padding or purging means 

introducing an inert gas to lower the 

oxygen content of a vapor mixture. 

Line clearing or pigging means the 

transfer of residual cargo from a cargo 

loading line by using compressed gas to 

propel a ‘‘pig’’ through the line toward 

a cargo tank. 

Liquid knockout vessel means a 

device, other than a drip leg, used to 

separate liquid from vapor. 

Maximum allowable gas-freeing rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a barge may be gas-freed during 

cleaning operations. 

Maximum allowable stripping rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a barge may be stripped during 

cleaning operations prior to the opening 

of any hatch and/or fitting in the cargo 

tank being stripped. 

Maximum allowable transfer rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a vessel may receive cargo or 

ballast. 

Minimum oxygen concentration for 

combustion or MOCC means the lowest 

level of oxygen in a vapor or a vapor 

mixture that will support combustion. 

Multi-breasted barge-loading 

operations are those in which barges 

load side by side with the outboard 

barge’s vapor collection system 

connected to a facility vapor connection 

through the inboard barge, as opposed 

to single-breasted operations involving a 

single barge. 

Multiple facility vapor collection 

system junction means the point in the 

vapor collection system where two or 

more branch lines originating from 

separate facility vapor connections are 

connected. 

New vapor control system means a 

vapor control system that is not an 

existing vapor control system. 

Padded or partially inerted means the 

oxygen content of the vapor space in a 

tank is reduced to below what is 

normally present in the atmosphere by 

the addition of an inert gas such as 

nitrogen or carbon dioxide, but not to 

the concentration that meets the 

definition of ‘‘inerted’’ in this section. 

Pig means any device designed to 

maintain a tight seal within a cargo line 

while being propelled by compressed 

gas towards a cargo tank, for the 

purpose of transferring residual cargo 

from the cargo loading line to the cargo 

tank. 

Pre-transfer conference means the 

conference required by 33 CFR 

156.120(w). 

Stripping means the removal, to the 

maximum extent practicable, of cargo 

residue remaining in the barge’s cargo 

tanks and associated fixed piping 

system after cargo transfer or during 

cleaning operations. 

Tank barge cleaning facility or TBCF 

means a facility used or capable of being 

used to conduct cleaning operations on 

a tank barge. 

Transfer facility means a facility as 

defined in 33 CFR 154.105, excluding 

tank barge cleaning or stripping 

facilities. 

Vacuum displacement system means 

a system that removes vapors from a 

barge’s cargo tanks during gas freeing by 

sweeping air through the cargo tank 

hatch openings. 

Vapor balancing means the transfer of 

vapor displaced by incoming cargo from 

the tank of a vessel or facility receiving 

cargo into a tank of the vessel or facility 

delivering cargo via facility vapor 

collection system. 

Vapor collection system means an 

arrangement of piping and hoses used to 

collect vapor emitted to or from a 

vessel’s cargo tanks and to transport the 

vapor to a vapor processing unit or a 

tank. 

Vapor control system or VCS means 

an arrangement of piping and 

equipment used to control vapor 

emissions collected to or from a vessel 

and includes the vapor collection 

system and the vapor processing unit or 

a tank. 

Vapor destruction unit means a vapor 

processing unit that destroys cargo 

vapor by a thermal destruction method. 

Vapor dispersion unit means a vapor 

processing unit that releases cargo vapor 

into the atmosphere through a venting 

system not located on the tank vessel. 

Vapor processing unit means the 

components of a vapor control system 

that recover, destroy, or disperse vapor 

collected from a vessel. 

Vapor recovery unit means a vapor 

processing unit that recovers cargo 

vapor by nondestructive means. 

Vessel vapor connection means the 

point in a vessel’s fixed vapor collection 

system where it connects to a vapor 

collection hose or arm. 

Certifying Entities 

§ 154.2010 Qualifications for acceptance 

as a certifying entity. 

To qualify for acceptance as a vapor 

control system (VCS) certifying entity, 

the entity must demonstrate to the 

satisfaction of the Commandant that it 

possesses the following minimum 

qualifications: 

(a) The ability to review and evaluate 

design drawings and failure analyses for 

compliance to this subpart; 

(b) The knowledge of the applicable 

regulations of this subpart, including 

the standards incorporated by reference; 

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(c) The ability to monitor and evaluate 

test procedures and results for 

compliance with the operational 

requirements of this subpart; 

(d) The ability to perform inspections 

and witness tests of bulk liquid cargohandling systems; 

(e) That the applicant is not 

controlled by an owner or operator of a 

vessel or facility engaged in controlling 

vapor emissions; 

(f) That the applicant is not 

dependent upon Coast Guard 

acceptance under this section to remain 

in business; and 

(g) That the person in charge of VCS 

certification is currently a licensed 

professional engineer. 

§ 154.2011 Application for acceptance as a 

certifying entity. 

(a) An applicant seeking Coast Guard 

acceptance as a certifying entity of 

vapor control systems (VCSs) must 

submit a signed, written application to 

the Commandant. The applicant’s 

signature certifies that the information 

in the application is true and that the 

applicant is not dependent upon Coast 

Guard acceptance under this section to 

remain in business and constitutes 

consent for the Coast Guard to verify 

any information contained in the 

application, through personal 

examination of persons named in the 

application, or otherwise. If an 

applicant knowingly and willfully 

provides any false statement or 

misrepresentation, or conceals a 

material fact in the application, the 

application may be denied or 

terminated, and the applicant may be 

subject to prosecution under the 

provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1001. 

(b) An application must include the 

following general information: 

(1) The name and address of the 

applicant, including subsidiaries and 

divisions if applicable; 

(2) A description of the experience 

and qualifications of any person who 

would review or test systems on behalf 

of the applicant, showing that the 

person is familiar with or otherwise 

qualified to implement Coast Guard 

VCS regulations; and 

(3) A letter from a facility owner or 

operator stating his or her intent to use 

the services of the applicant to certify 

VCS installations. 

(c) The Commandant reviews each 

application and either issues a letter of 

acceptance as a certifying entity to the 

applicant, or notifies the applicant that 

it is not accepted, and maintains a list 

of currently accepted certifying entities 

that is available to the public at http:// 

homeport.uscg.mil. 

(d) The acceptance of a certifying 

entity may be terminated by the 

Commandant for failure to review, 

inspect, or test a system properly in 

accordance with this subpart. 

(e) A certifying entity may not certify 

a facility VCS if that certifying entity 

was involved in the design or 

installation of the system. ‘‘Design or 

installation’’ includes but is not limited 

to— 

(1) Performing calculations; 

(2) Providing chemical data; 

(3) Developing plans, specifications, 

and drawings; 

(4) Conducting failure analysis; and 

(5) Installing systems or components. 

(f) A certifying entity may not conduct 

the failure analysis of a facility VCS it 

is certifying. The certifying entity may 

only point out shortcomings shown by 

the failure analysis and may not propose 

changes to correct the shortcomings. 

(g) A certifying entity may not certify 

the VCS of any vessel or facility owner 

or operator that owns or has a 

controlling interest in the certifying 

entity. 

Certification, Recertification, and 

Operational Review 

§ 154.2020 Certification and 

recertification—Owner/operator 

responsibilities. 

(a) Prior to operating, a new vapor 

control system (VCS) installation must 

be certified under 33 CFR 154.2023 by 

a certifying entity as meeting the 

requirements of this subpart. 

(b) A certified VCS or a Coast Guardapproved VCS that was operating prior 

to July 23, 1990 must be recertified by 

a certifying entity under 33 CFR 

154.2023 before it can— 

(1) Control vapors other than those for 

which it was originally certified; 

(2) Receive vapors from vessels other 

than those for which it was approved, 

if the VCS was in operation prior to July 

23, 1990; 

(3) Operate under any changed design 

or configuration; 

(4) Operate as part of multi-breasted 

barge-loading operations, if the VCS was 

not originally approved or certified for 

such operations; or 

(5) Be connected to a tank vessel if a 

cargo line clearance system is used to 

clear cargo in the cargo line back to the 

tank vessel. 

(c) Prior to operating a VCS to control 

vapor from a tank vessel during cargo 

line clearing if a cargo line clearance 

system is used to clear cargo in the 

cargo line back to the tank vessel, the 

cargo line clearance system must be 

reviewed by a certifying entity as 

meeting the requirements of 33 CFR 

154.2104. 

(d) To apply for certification, the 

owner or operator of a facility VCS must 

submit plans, calculations, 

specifications, and other related 

information, including a qualitative 

failure analysis, to the certifying entity. 

Suggested guidance for preparing 

qualitative and optional quantitative 

failure analyses can be obtained from 

http://homeport.uscg.mil. The analysis 

must demonstrate that— 

(1) The VCS can operate continuously 

and safely while controlling cargo 

vapors to or from tankships or tank 

barges over the full range of transfer 

rates expected at the facility; 

(2) The VCS has the proper alarms 

and automatic shutdown systems 

required by this subpart to prevent an 

unsafe operation; 

(3) The VCS has sufficient automatic 

or passive devices to minimize damage 

to personnel, property, and the 

environment if an accident were to 

occur; 

(4) If a quantitative failure analysis is 

also conducted, the level of safety 

attained is at least one order of 

magnitude greater than that calculated 

for operating without a VCS; and 

(5) If a facility uses a cargo line 

clearance system to clear cargo in the 

cargo line back to the tank vessel with 

the VCS connected, the qualitative 

failure analysis must demonstrate that 

the cargo line clearance system has at 

least the same levels of safety required 

by paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of 

this section to prevent overpressure of 

the vessel’s cargo tanks and account for 

the probability that the pig is destroyed 

during line-clearing operations. 

(e) The VCS owner or operator must 

maintain at the facility— 

(1) A copy of VCS design 

documentation, including plans, 

drawings, calculations, and 

specifications for the VCS; 

(2) The facility operations manual, 

including the list of cargoes that the 

facility is approved to vapor control; 

and 

(3) Any certification or recertification 

letter issued under 33 CFR 154.2023. 

§ 154.2021 Operational review—Owner/ 

operator responsibilities. 

(a) Each facility vapor control system 

(VCS) must undergo an operational 

review by a certifying entity within 

three years of its initial certification or 

last operational review, to ensure its 

proper operation and maintenance. 

(b) The VCS owner or operator must 

coordinate with the certifying entity and 

provide the entity with all necessary 

documentation and records to conduct 

the operational review. 

(c) The VCS owner or operator must 

notify the Captain of the Port (COTP) of 

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a scheduled operational review. The 

COTP, at his or her discretion, may 

witness the operational review. 

(d) The VCS owner or operator must 

maintain, at the facility, the latest 

operational review letter issued under 

33 CFR 154.2023. 

§ 154.2022 Certification, recertification, or 

operational review—Certifying entity 

responsibilities, generally. 

(a) Before certifying or recertifying a 

facility vapor control system (VCS), the 

certifying entity must— 

(1) Review all VCS design 

documentation, including plans, 

drawings, calculations, specifications, 

and failure analysis, to ensure that the 

VCS design meets the requirements of 

this subpart; 

(2) Review all chemical data in 

accordance with paragraph (c) of this 

section, to confirm that the VCS is 

properly designed for controlling each 

specific chemical vapor; 

(3) Conduct an initial onsite 

inspection to ensure that the VCS 

installation conforms to the VCS plans, 

drawings, and specifications reviewed; 

(4) Conduct onsite reviews and 

witness tests in accordance with 

paragraph (d) of this section, to ensure 

the VCS’s proper operation in 

accordance with its design and 

compliance with applicable regulations 

and the facility’s operations manual; 

(5) Review, inspect, and witness tests 

of all design or configuration alterations 

before recertifying a VCS that was 

certified or approved for operation prior 

to July 23, 1990, to ensure that the 

altered system complies with applicable 

regulations; 

(6) Review the VCS design in 

accordance with paragraph (e) of this 

section, prior to recertifying the VCS for 

the control of additional cargo vapors; 

(7) Review the VCS in accordance 

with paragraph (f) of this section, prior 

to certifying or recertifying it to control 

vapors from barge cargo tanks during 

multi-breasted barge-loading operations; 

(8) Review a cargo line clearance 

system as meeting the requirements of 

33 CFR 154.2104 if such a system is 

used to clear cargo in the cargo line back 

to a tank vessel prior to certifying or 

recertifying a VCS to control vapor from 

the tank vessel during cargo line 

clearance operations; and 

(9) Review the facility operations 

manual to ensure that it meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.310(b). 

(b) In conducting an operational 

review to ensure that the VCS is 

properly operating and maintained, the 

certifying entity must ensure, at a 

minimum— 

(1) The completeness, currency, and 

accuracy of the facility operations 

manual, training plans, and VCS test 

procedures; 

(2) Proper maintenance and operation 

of VCS components, through visual 

inspection; and 

(3) That cargo transfer or tankcleaning barge operational procedures 

are properly followed and the VCS 

operates properly, through observation 

of the initial stages of transfer or 

cleaning, including 24-hour pre-transfer 

tests required by 33 CFR 154.2150(b) or 

33 CFR 154.2250(b), the pre-transfer 

conference, and initial system startup 

procedures. 

(c) For each of the following, if 

applicable, the certifying entity’s review 

of chemical data must ensure that— 

(1) Each chemical’s maximum 

experimental safe gap, minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion (MOCC), 

and upper and lower limits of 

flammability have been correctly 

determined, which may be determined 

using Coast Guard guidance available at 

http://homeport.uscg.mil; 

(2) Each detonation arrester used in 

the VCS is correct for each chemical’s 

maximum experimental safe gap; 

(3) Setpoints for each oxygen analyzer 

used in the VCS are correct for each 

chemical’s MOCC; 

(4) Setpoints for each oxygen or 

hydrocarbon analyzer used in the VCS 

are correct for each chemical’s upper or 

lower flammability limit; 

(5) Each vapor-controlled chemical is 

compatible with other chemicals and 

with inerting, enriching, or diluting 

gases added to the VCS per 46 CFR part 

150, Table I and Table II; 

(6) Each vapor-controlled chemical is 

compatible with all VCS components; 

(7) Each vapor-controlled chemical is 

listed in one of the following: 46 CFR 

part 30, Table 30.25–1; 46 CFR part 151, 

Table 151.05; 46 CFR part 153, Table 1 

and Table 2; or as specified in writing 

by the Commandant; 

(8) The flash point for any cargo with 

a closed-cup flash point of 60 °C (140 

°F) or higher is properly determined; 

(9) Any test program used for 

instrument testing and calibration 

conforms with 33 CFR 154.2180 and 33 

CFR 154.2181; and 

(10) Any calculation to determine the 

duration of purging required by 33 CFR 

154.2150(o) is correct. 

(d) The certifying entity must 

ensure— 

(1) That each alarm and shutdown, 

shown on the piping and 

instrumentation diagrams and reviewed 

in the hazard analysis as part of the 

system, responds properly, through 

simulation of emergency conditions to 

activate the alarm or shutdown; 

(2) That maximum vacuum can be 

maintained at the maximum operating 

conditions of any vapor-moving device, 

through testing of the vacuum breaker; 

(3) That VCS shutdown occurs 

correctly, through the startup of the VCS 

and tripping of each shutdown loop 

while the VCS is not connected to a 

vessel; 

(4) That VCS startup, normal 

operation, and shutdown occur 

properly, through witnessing the 

relevant portions of a test loading or 

unloading of one vessel, or a test 

cleaning of one tank barge at a tank 

barge cleaning facility; and 

(5) That the automatic liquid block 

valve successfully stops flow of liquid 

to the vessel during a system shutdown, 

through witnessing the relevant portions 

of a test loading or test cargo tank 

cleaning. 

(e) Prior to recertifying the VCS for 

the control of additional cargo vapors, 

the certifying entity must review the 

VCS design to ensure that, with respect 

to each additional vapor, the— 

(1) System complies with 33 CFR 

154.2103(a) and (b) or 33 CFR 

154.2203(a) and (b); 

(2) Inerting, enriching, or diluting 

system is adequate; 

(3) Vapor recovery or destruction unit 

is adequate; 

(4) Mechanical equipment and 

systems are suitable; 

(5) Vapor properties and 

characteristics are addressed, including 

freezing point, polymerization potential, 

solubility, and cargo compatibility; 

(6) VCS’s failure analysis addresses 

any new hazards presented; and 

(7) Facility operations manual’s VCS 

addendum has been modified to list 

each additional vapor. 

(f) Prior to certifying or recertifying a 

VCS to control vapors from barge cargo 

tanks during multi-breasted bargeloading operations, the certifying entity 

must confirm that— 

(1) The overfill control system 

required by 33 CFR 154.2102 will 

process a liquid overfill condition 

within any one cargo tank on each 

barge; 

(2) If multi-breasted loading is 

conducted using more than one liquid 

transfer hose from the shore facility, the 

facility is capable of activating the 

emergency shutdown system required 

by 33 CFR 154.550, and can 

automatically stop the cargo flow to 

each transfer hose simultaneously, in 

the event an upset condition occurs that 

closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a); 

(3) The facility operations manual has 

been modified to include the procedures 

for multi-breasted barge-loading 

operations; and 

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(4) The facility operations manual 

describes how to make proper 

connections, on the facility side, 

between the alarm and shutdown 

systems of the VCS and of each barge 

being loaded. 

§ 154.2023 Certification, recertification, or 

operational review—Certifying entity 

documentation. 

(a) If the certifying entity is satisfied 

that the facility’s vapor control system 

(VCS) has successfully undergone the 

reviews, inspections, and tests required 

by 33 CFR 154.2022(a) for certification 

or recertification, and that the VCS will 

operate properly and safely, the 

certifying entity must certify or recertify 

the VCS by issuing a certification letter 

to the facility owner or operator, and by 

sending copies of the letter to the 

Captain of the Port (COTP) and the 

Commandant. The certification letter 

must refer by date to the certifying 

entity’s letter of acceptance issued 

under 33 CFR 154.2011(c), and must— 

(1) State that the facility complies 

with applicable regulations and with its 

operations manual, and list any 

exemptions to the applicable regulations 

that have been approved by the Coast 

Guard; 

(2) Report on all reviews, inspections, 

and tests undergone by the VCS in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2022(a); 

(3) List all plans and drawings that 

were reviewed by the certifying entity; 

(4) State if the VCS may control 

vapors from tank barges that are 

required to have a shore-side, explosionproof receptacle or an overfill control 

system required by 33 CFR 154.2102(a) 

and (b); and 

(5) List all cargoes that the certifying 

entity approves for control by the VCS. 

(b) If the certifying entity is satisfied 

that the facility’s VCS has successfully 

undergone the operational review 

required by 33 CFR 154.2022(b), the 

certifying entity must issue an 

operational review letter to the facility 

owner or operator, and send copies of 

the letter to the COTP and the 

Commandant. The operational review 

letter must— 

(1) List each item reviewed and 

inspected; 

(2) Describe the transfer or cleaning 

operation observed; and 

(3) Summarize the review’s results. 

Personnel 

§ 154.2030 Transfer facilities. 

(a) Personnel in charge of a transfer 

operation using a vapor control system 

(VCS) must have completed a training 

program covering the particular VCS 

installed at the facility. As part of the 

training program, personnel must be 

able to demonstrate, through drills and 

display of practical knowledge, the 

proper VCS operational procedures for 

normal and emergency conditions. The 

training program must cover the 

following subjects: 

(1) Purpose of the VCS; 

(2) Principles of the VCS; 

(3) Components of the VCS; 

(4) Hazards associated with the VCS; 

(5) Coast Guard regulations in this 

subpart; 

(6) Operating procedures, including: 

(i) Transfer, testing, and inspection 

requirements; 

(ii) Pre-transfer procedures; 

(iii) Chemicals approved for 

collection; 

(iv) Material safety data sheet review; 

(v) Connection procedures; 

(vi) Startup procedures; 

(vii) Normal operating conditions and 

how to handle deviations from normal 

conditions; 

(viii) Normal shutdown procedures; 

and 

(ix) Operating procedures for cargo 

line clearing if a cargo line clearance 

system is installed in accordance with 

33 CFR 154.2104; and 

(7) Emergency procedures. 

(b) Personnel overseeing VCS 

maintenance must be familiar with— 

(1) Inspection of detonation arresters; 

and 

(2) Procedures for equipment and 

instrumentation testing required by 33 

CFR 156.170(g). 

§ 154.2031 Tank barge cleaning facilities. 

(a) In addition to complying with 33 

CFR 154.2030, a tank barge cleaning 

facility (TBCF) person in charge of a 

barge cargo tank-cleaning operation that 

uses a vapor control system (VCS) must 

complete a training program covering 

the particular systems installed at the 

facility and on the barge. As part of the 

training program, personnel must be 

able to demonstrate, through drills and 

practical knowledge, the proper VCS 

operation procedures for normal and 

emergency conditions. The training 

program must— 

(1) Satisfy the requirements of 33 CFR 

154.2030(a)(1) through (a)(7) and 33 

CFR 154.2030(b) and cover— 

(i) Purpose, principles, components, 

and hazards associated with stripping 

and gas-freeing; 

(ii) Special hazards associated with 

the accumulation and discharge of static 

electricity; and 

(iii) Operating procedures, including 

pre-cleaning procedures, and safeguards 

to prevent static electricity discharge. 

(b) In addition to the requirements 

contained in 33 CFR 154.710, no person 

may serve, and the facility operator may 

not use the services of anyone, as a 

facility person in charge of a cleaning 

operation unless the person has been 

properly trained and certified by the 

facility with a minimum of 60 hours of 

experience in cleaning operations. 

Transfer Facilities—VCS Design and 

Installation 

§ 154.2100 Vapor control system, general. 

(a) Vapor control system (VCS) design 

and installation must eliminate 

potential overpressure and vacuum 

hazards, overfill hazards, sources of 

ignition, and mechanical damage to the 

maximum practicable extent. Each 

remaining hazard source that is not 

eliminated must be specifically 

addressed in the protection system 

design and system operational 

requirements. 

(b) Vapor collection system pipe and 

fitting components must be in 

accordance with ANSI B31.3 

(incorporated by reference, see 33 CFR 

154.106) with a maximum allowable 

working pressure (MAWP) of at least 

150 pounds per square inch gauge 

(psig). Valves must be in accordance 

with ANSI B16.34, 150 pound class 

(incorporated by reference, see 33 CFR 

154.106). Flanges must be in accordance 

with ANSI B16.5 or B16.24, 150 pound 

class (both incorporated by reference, 

see 33 CFR 154.106). The following 

components and their associated 

equipment do not have a minimum 

specified MAWP, but must be 

constructed to acceptable engineering 

standards and have the appropriate 

mechanical strength to serve the 

intended purpose: Knockout drums, 

liquid seals, blowers/compressors, flare 

stacks/incinerators, and other vapor 

processing units. 

(c) All VCS electrical equipment must 

comply with NFPA 70 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106). 

(d) Any pressure, flow, or 

concentration indication required by 

this part must provide a remote 

indicator on the facility where the cargo 

transfer system and VCS are controlled, 

unless the local indicator is clearly 

visible and readable from the operator’s 

normal position at the control stations. 

(e) Any condition requiring an alarm 

as specified in this part must activate an 

audible and visible alarm where the 

cargo transfer and VCSs are controlled. 

(f) For a VCS installed after 

[EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], 

an alarm or shutdown must be activated 

if electrical continuity of an alarm or 

shutdown sensor required by this 

subpart is lost. 

(g) The VCS piping surface 

temperature must not exceed 177 °C 

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(350 °F) or 70 percent of the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius 

of the vapors being transferred, 

whichever is lower, during normal 

operations. This must be achieved by 

either separating or insulating the entire 

VCS from external heat sources. 

(h) The VCS must be equipped with 

a mechanism to eliminate any liquid 

condensate from the vapor collection 

system that carries over from the vessel 

or condenses as a result of an 

enrichment process. 

(1) If a liquid knockout vessel is 

installed to eliminate any liquid 

condensate, it must have— 

(i) A mechanism to indicate the level 

of liquid in the device; 

(ii) A high liquid level sensor that 

activates an alarm, meeting the 

requirements of paragraph (e) of this 

section; 

(iii) A high-high liquid level sensor 

that closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a), and shuts down any vapormoving devices before carrying liquid 

over from the vessel to the vapormoving device. One sensor with two 

stages may accomplish both this 

requirement and the requirement of 

paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section; and 

(2) If a drip leg is used to eliminate 

any liquid condensate, a mechanism to 

remove liquid from the low point. 

(i) Vapor collection piping must be 

electrically grounded and must be 

electrically continuous. 

(j) If the facility handles inerted 

vapors of cargoes containing sulfur, the 

facility must control heating from 

pyrophoric iron sulfide deposits in the 

vapor collection line. 

(k) All VCS components, including 

piping, hoses, and gaskets, must be 

suitable for use with the vapor in the 

VCS. 

§ 154.2101 Requirements for facility vapor 

connections. 

(a) A remotely operated cargo vapor 

shutoff valve must be installed in the 

vapor collection line between the 

facility vapor connection and the 

nearest point where any inerting, 

enriching, or diluting gas is introduced 

into the vapor collection line, or where 

a detonation arrester is fitted. The valve 

must— 

(1) Close within 30 seconds after 

detection of a shutdown condition of 

any component required by this subpart; 

(2) Close automatically if the control 

signal or electrical power to the system 

is interrupted; 

(3) Activate an alarm meeting 33 CFR 

154.2100(e) when a signal to shut down 

is received from a component; 

(4) Be capable of manual operation or 

manual activation; 

(5) Have a local valve position 

indicator, or be designed so that the 

valve position can be readily 

determined from the valve handle or 

valve stem position; and 

(6) If the valve seat is fitted with 

resilient material, be a Category A valve 

as defined by 46 CFR 56.20–15 and not 

allow appreciable leakage when the 

resilient material is damaged or 

destroyed. 

(b) Except when a vapor collection 

arm is used, the first 1 meter (3.3 feet) 

of vapor piping downstream of the 

facility vapor connection must be— 

(1) Painted in the sequence of red/ 

yellow/red. The width of the red bands 

must be 0.1 meter (0.33 foot) and the 

width of the middle yellow band must 

be 0.8 meter (2.64 feet); and 

(2) Labeled with the word ‘‘VAPOR’’ 

painted in black letters at least 50.8 

millimeters (2 inches) high. 

(c) Each facility vapor connection 

flange face must have a permanent stud 

projecting outward that is 12.7 

millimeters (0.5 inch) in diameter and is 

at least 25.4 millimeters (1 inch) long. 

It must be located at the top of the flange 

face, midway between boltholes, and in 

line with the bolthole pattern. 

(d) Each hose that transfers vapors 

must— 

(1) Have a design burst pressure of at 

least 25 pounds per square inch gauge 

(psig); 

(2) Have a maximum allowable 

working pressure no less than 5 psig; 

(3) Be capable of withstanding at least 

a 2 pounds per square inch (psi) 

vacuum without collapsing or 

constricting; 

(4) Be electrically continuous with a 

maximum resistance of 10,000 ohms; 

(5) Have flanges with— 

(i) A bolthole arrangement complying 

with the requirements for 150 pound 

class flanges, ANSI B16.5 (incorporated 

by reference, see 33 CFR 154.106); and 

(ii) One or more 15.9 millimeter 

(0.625 inch) diameter holes in the flange 

face, located midway between boltholes, 

and in line with the bolthole pattern; 

(6) Be resistant to abrasion and 

kinking; 

(7) Be compatible with vapors being 

controlled; and 

(8) Have the last 1 meter (3.3 feet) of 

each end of the vapor hose marked in 

accordance with paragraph (b) of this 

section. 

(e) Vapor hoses must be adequately 

supported to prevent kinking, collapse, 

or contact with metal surfaces on the 

dock during loading or offloading. 

(f) Fixed vapor collection arms must— 

(1) Meet the requirements of 

paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(5) of this 

section; and 

(2) Have the last 1 meter (3.3 feet) of 

the arm marked in accordance with 

paragraph (b) of this section. 

(g) The facility vapor connection must 

be electrically insulated from the vessel 

vapor connection in accordance with 

OCIMF ISGOTT section 17.5 

(incorporated by reference, see 33 CFR 

154.106). In order to prevent electrical 

arcing during connection and 

disconnection of the transfer hose/arm, 

the transfer hose/arm must be fitted 

with an insulating flange or a single 

length of non-conducting hose to ensure 

electrical discontinuity between the 

vessel and facility. The insulating 

flange/hose must not be electrically 

bypassed. 

(h) A vapor collection system, fitted 

with a gas injection system that operates 

at a positive gauge pressure at the 

facility vapor connection, must be fitted 

with a mechanism to prevent backflow 

of vapor to the vessel’s vapor collection 

system during loading. 

§ 154.2102 Facility requirements for vessel 

liquid overfill protection. 

This section does not apply to 

facilities collecting vapors emitted from 

vessel cargo tanks while inerting the 

cargo tanks. 

(a) Each facility that receives cargo 

vapor from a tank barge that is fitted 

with overfill protection, in accordance 

with 46 CFR 39.2009(a)(1)(iii), must 

provide a 120-volt, 20-amp explosionproof receptacle for the overfill 

protection system that meets— 

(1) NEMA WD–6 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106); 

(2) NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 

2002, Articles 410–57 and 501–12 

(incorporated by reference, see 33 CFR 

154.106); and 

(3) 46 CFR 111.105–9. 

(b) Each facility that receives cargo 

vapor from a tank barge that is fitted 

with an intrinsically safe cargo tank 

level sensor system complying with 46 

CFR 39.2009(b), as a means of overfill 

protection, must have an overfill control 

system on the dock capable of powering 

and receiving an alarm and shutdown 

signal from the cargo tank level sensor 

system that— 

(1) Closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and activates the emergency 

shutdown system required by 33 CFR 

154.550 when— 

(i) A tank overfill signal is received 

from the barge; or 

(ii) Electrical continuity of the cargo 

tank level sensor system is interrupted; 

(2) Activates an audible and visible 

alarm that warns barge and facility 

personnel when a tank overfill signal, or 

an optional high-level signal 

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corresponding to a liquid level lower 

than the tank overfill sensor setting, is 

received from the barge; 

(3) Has a mechanism to test the alarms 

and automatic shutdown systems 

electrically and mechanically before 

operating the vapor control system 

(VCS); 

(4) Has suitable means, such as 

approved intrinsic safety barriers able to 

accept passive devices, so that the 

overfill and optional alarm circuits on 

the barge side of the overfill control 

system, including cabling, normally 

closed switches, and pin and sleeve 

connectors, are intrinsically safe; 

(5) Is labeled at the dock with the 

maximum allowable inductance (in 

millihenrys) and capacitance (in 

microfarads) to be connected to the 

facility overfill protection system as 

specified by the equipment 

manufacturer; and 

(6) Has a female connecting plug for 

the tank barge level sensor system with 

a five-wire, 16-ampere connector body 

meeting IEC 60309–1 and IEC 60309–2 

(both incorporated by reference, see 33 

CFR 154.106), which is— 

(i) Configured with pins S2 (N) and 

R1 (L3) for the tank overfill sensor 

circuit, pin G connected to the cabling 

shield, and pins N (L2) and T3 (L1) 

reserved for an optional high-level 

alarm connection; 

(ii) Labeled ‘‘Connector for Barge 

Overfill Control System’’; and 

(iii) Connected to the overfill control 

system by a shielded flexible cable. 

§ 154.2103 Facility requirements for vessel 

vapor overpressure and vacuum protection. 

In this section, the requirements of 

having a flame arrester or a flame screen 

at the opening of a pressure relief valve 

or a vacuum relief valve apply only to 

facilities collecting vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) A facility’s vapor control system 

(VCS) must have the capacity for 

collecting cargo vapor at a rate of not 

less than the facility’s maximum liquid 

transfer rate for cargoes that are vapor 

controlled plus the vapor growth for the 

cargoes and any inerting, diluting, or 

enriching gas that may be added to the 

system. Vapor growth must be 

considered as 25 percent of the cargo’s 

true vapor pressure in pounds per 

square inch absolute (psia) at 115 °F, 

divided by the vapor pressure of 

gasoline at 115 °F (12.5 psia), unless 

there is experimental data for actual 

vapor growth for turbulent transferring 

under the most severe conditions for 

vapor growth. If the cargo is transferred 

at temperatures above 115 °F, the 

cargo’s true vapor pressure (in psia) at 

the transferring temperature must be 

used when determining the vapor 

growth. 

(b) A facility VCS must be designed to 

prevent the pressure in a vessel’s cargo 

tanks from going below 80 percent of 

the highest setting of any of the vessel’s 

vacuum relief valves or exceeding 80 

percent of the lowest setting of any of 

the vessel’s pressure relief valves for a 

non-inerted tank vessel. A facility VCS 

also must be designed to prevent the 

pressure in a vessel’s cargo tanks from 

going below 0.2 pounds per square inch 

gauge (psig) or exceeding 80 percent of 

the lowest setting of any of the vessel’s 

pressure relief valves for an inerted tank 

vessel. The system must sustain the 

pressure in the vessel’s cargo tanks 

within this range at any cargo transfer 

rate less than or equal to the maximum 

transfer rate determined at the pretransfer conference. 

(c) The pressure measured at the 

facility vapor connection must be 

corrected for pressure drops across the 

vessel’s vapor collection system, vapor 

collection hose or arm, and vapor line 

up to the location of the pressure sensor. 

(d) The facility vapor connection must 

have a pressure-sensing device that 

meets the installation requirements of 

paragraph (h) of this section, which 

activates an alarm that meets 33 CFR 

154.2100(e) when the pressure at the 

facility vapor connection exceeds 

either— 

(1) The pressure corresponding to the 

upper pressure determined in paragraph 

(b) of this section; or 

(2) A lower pressure agreed upon at 

the pre-transfer conference. 

(e) If a facility draws vapor from a 

vessel with a vapor-moving device, the 

facility vapor connection must have a 

pressure-sensing device, which activates 

an alarm meeting 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the pressure at the facility vapor 

connection falls below either— 

(1) The pressure corresponding to the 

lower pressure determined in paragraph 

(b) of this section; or 

(2) A higher pressure agreed upon at 

the pre-transfer conference. 

(f) The facility vapor connection must 

have a pressure-sensing device, 

independent of the device used to 

activate the alarm required by paragraph 

(d) of this section, meeting the 

installation requirements of paragraph 

(h) of this section, which activates the 

emergency shutdown system required 

by 33 CFR 154.550 when the pressure at 

the facility vapor connection exceeds 

the lower of the following: 

(1) A pressure corresponding to 90 

percent of the vessel’s lowest pressure 

relief valve setting, corrected for 

pressure drops across the vessel’s vapor 

collection system, the vapor collection 

hose or arm, and any vapor line up to 

the point where the pressure sensor is 

located; 

(2) A pressure corresponding to 90 

percent of the setting of the pressure 

relief valve at the facility vapor 

connection, if the facility vapor 

connection is installed with a pressure 

relief valve; or 

(3) A lower pressure than the pressure 

in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this 

section that is agreed upon at the pretransfer conference. 

(g) If a facility draws vapors from a 

vessel with a vapor-moving device, the 

facility vapor connection must have a 

pressure-sensing device, independent of 

the device used to activate the alarm 

required by paragraph (e) of this section, 

which closes the remotely operated 

cargo vapor shutoff valve required by 33 

CFR 154.2101(a) when the vacuum at 

the facility vapor connection is more 

than the higher (lesser vacuum) of the 

following: 

(1) A vacuum corresponding to 90 

percent of the vessel’s highest vacuum 

relief valve setting; 

(2) A vacuum corresponding to 90 

percent of the setting of the vacuum 

relief valve at the facility vapor 

connection, if the facility vapor 

connection is installed with a vacuum 

relief valve; or 

(3) A lesser vacuum than the vacuum 

in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this 

section that is agreed upon at the pretransfer conference. 

(h) The pressure-sensing devices 

required by paragraphs (d) and (f) of this 

section must be located in the vapor 

collection line between the facility 

vapor connection and the following: 

(1) Any isolation valve, unless an 

interlock is provided that prevents 

operation of the system when the 

isolation valve is closed; and 

(2) Any components that could plug 

and cause a blockage in the vapor line. 

(i) A pressure-indicating device must 

be provided that displays the pressure 

in the vapor collection line between the 

facility vapor connection and any 

isolation valve or any devices which 

could cause a blockage in the vapor line. 

(j) If a facility draws vapor from the 

vessel with a vapor-moving device 

capable of drawing more than 1 pound 

per square inch (psi) vacuum, a vacuum 

relief valve must be installed in the 

vapor collection line between the vapormoving device and the facility vapor 

connection, which— 

(1) Relieves at a predetermined 

pressure such that the pressure at the 

facility vapor connection is maintained 

at or above 13.7 psia (¥1 psig); 

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(2) Has a relieving capacity equal to 

or greater than the capacity of the vapormoving device; 

(3) Has a flame arrester or flame 

screen fitted at the vacuum relief 

opening; and 

(4) Has been tested for relieving 

capacity in accordance with paragraph 

1.5.1.3 of API 2000 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106) with a 

flame arrester or flame screen fitted. 

(k) When a facility collects cargo 

vapor through an extensive length of 

vapor piping before reaching the first 

pressure sensor and vacuum relief 

valve, the vacuum relief valve may be 

set at a vacuum greater than 1 psi 

vacuum, provided the pressure controls 

take into account the pressure drop 

across the vessel’s vapor collection 

system, any vapor collection hoses, and 

the vapor piping as a function of the 

actual transfer rate. 

(l) If the pressure in the vapor 

collection system can exceed 1.5 psig 

during a malfunction of a pressure 

regulator or control valve in an inerting, 

enriching, or diluting system, a pressure 

relief valve must— 

(1) Be located between where the 

inerting, enriching, or diluting gas is 

introduced into the vapor collection 

system and the facility vapor 

connection; 

(2) Relieve at the higher of the 

following two pressures: 

(i) A pressure such that the pressure 

at the facility vapor connection does not 

exceed 1.5 psig; or 

(ii) The lowest pressure relief valve 

setting of vessels that control vapors at 

the facility; 

(3) Have a relieving capacity equal to 

or greater than the maximum capacity of 

the facility inerting, enriching, or 

diluting gas source flowing through the 

failed pressure regulator or control 

valve, taking into account the pressure 

drops across any flame arrester or 

discharge piping fitted at the relief 

valve’s discharge; 

(4) Have a flame arrester or flame 

screen fitted at the discharge opening, if 

the design does not secure a minimum 

vapor discharge velocity of 30 meters 

(98.4 feet) per second; and 

(5) Have been tested for relieving 

capacity in accordance with paragraph 

1.5.1.3 of API 2000. 

(m) The relieving capacity test 

required by paragraph (l)(5) of this 

section must be carried out with a flame 

screen fitted at the discharge opening 

if— 

(1) The design of the pressure relief 

valve does not secure a minimum vapor 

discharge velocity of 30 meters (98.4 

feet) per second; and 

(2) The discharge is not fitted with a 

flame arrester. 

(n) A facility that collects vapors 

emitted from vessel cargo tanks while 

inerting cargo tanks must— 

(1) Provide a pressure-sensing device 

that activates an alarm meeting 33 CFR 

154.2100(e) when the pressure of the 

inerting gas exceeds either the pressure 

corresponding to the higher pressure 

determined in paragraph (b) of this 

section or a lower pressure agreed upon 

at the pre-transfer conference; 

(2) Provide a pressure-sensing device, 

independent of the device required by 

paragraph (n)(1) of this section, which 

automatically stops the flow of inerting, 

padding, or purging gas to the vessel 

when the pressure of the inerting gas 

exceeds 90 percent of the lowest setting 

of any pressure relief valve on the 

vessel; and 

(3) Locate the pressure-sensing 

devices required by paragraphs (n)(1) 

and (n)(2) of this section in the inerting 

piping downstream of any devices that 

could potentially isolate the vessel from 

the sensing devices. 

§ 154.2104 Cargo line clearance system. 

If a line clearance (pigging) system is 

used to clear cargo in the cargo lines to 

the tank vessel while the vessel is 

connected to the facility vapor control 

system (VCS), the pigging system must 

be designed with the following safety 

features: 

(a) A bypass loop installed in the 

main liquid cargo line that contains the 

pig-receiving device, through which all 

the liquid flow is channeled during 

pigging operations. The pig must act as 

a seal to separate the vessel from the 

compressed gas that is used to propel it 

as the pig travels from the pig launcher 

to the pig-receiving device; 

(b) A mechanism for restricting liquid 

and gas flow so that the vessel, 

personnel, and environment are not 

endangered. The compressed gas flow 

capacity that this mechanism secures 

must not be more than 95 percent of the 

combined capacity of all vessel and 

facility VCS relief valves located 

upstream of the facility’s remotely 

operated cargo vapor shutoff valve 

required by 33 CFR 154.2101(a); 

(c) An automatic shutoff valve, which 

closes on a high-pressure signal from 

the pressure sensor required by 33 CFR 

154.2103(f), located in the liquid bypass 

loop downstream of the pig-receiving 

device; 

(d) An interlock with the main cargo 

line manual block valve so that lineclearing operations cannot begin unless 

the main cargo line manual block valve 

is closed; and 

(e) A means to detect arrival of the pig 

at the pig-receiving device. 

§ 154.2105 Fire, explosion, and detonation 

protection. 

This section applies only to facilities 

that control vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) A vapor control system (VCS) with 

a single facility vapor connection that 

receives inerted cargo vapor from a 

vessel and processes it with a vapor 

recovery unit must— 

(1) Be capable of inerting the vapor 

collection line in accordance with 33 

CFR 154.2107(a) before receiving the 

vessel’s vapor and have at least one 

oxygen analyzer, which satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107(f)(1), 

(f)(2), (g), (h)(2), and (h)(3), sampling the 

vapor concentration continuously at a 

point as close as practicable to the 

facility vapor connection. The total pipe 

length between the analyzer and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 6 meters (19.7 feet); or 

(2) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to the facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet). 

(b) A VCS with a single facility vapor 

connection that receives only inerted 

cargo vapor from a vessel and processes 

it with a vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Satisfy the requirements of 

paragraph (a)(1) of this section and have 

a detonation arrester located as close as 

practicable to the facility vapor 

connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); or 

(2) Have an inerting system that meets 

the requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(c) A VCS with a single facility vapor 

connection that receives vapor from a 

vessel with cargo tanks that are not 

inerted or are partially inerted, and 

processes it with a vapor recovery unit 

must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to the facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); or 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(d) A VCS with a single facility vapor 

connection that receives vapor from a 

vessel with cargo tanks that are not 

inerted or are partially inerted, and 

processes the vapor with a vapor 

destruction unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to the facility 

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vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); and 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(e) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that receives vapor from 

vessels with cargo tanks that carry 

inerted, partially inerted, non-inerted, 

or combinations of inerted, partially 

inerted, and non-inerted cargoes, and 

processes them with a vapor recovery 

unit, must have a detonation arrester 

located as close as practicable to each 

facility vapor connection. The total pipe 

length between the detonation arrester 

and each facility vapor connection must 

not exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet). 

(f) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that receives only inerted 

cargo vapor from vessels and processes 

it with a vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Satisfy the requirements of 

paragraph (a)(1) of this section for each 

facility vapor connection and have a 

detonation arrester located as close as 

practicable to each facility vapor 

connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and 

each facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); or 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(g) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that receives vapor from 

vessels with non-inerted or partially 

inerted cargoes, and processes the vapor 

with a vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to each facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and 

each facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); and 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(h) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that simultaneously 

receives vapor from vessels with 

inerted, partially inerted, and noninerted cargoes, and processes the vapor 

with a vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to each facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and 

each facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); and 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107; or 

(3) Have a base loading system that 

meets the requirements of 33 CFR 

154.2107(m). 

(i) A VCS that uses a vapor balancing 

system in which cargo vapor from a 

vessel or facility storage tank is 

transferred through the facility vapor 

collection system to facility storage 

tanks or a vessel must meet the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2110. 

(j) Each outlet of a VCS that vents to 

the atmosphere, except for a discharge 

vent from a vapor destruction unit or 

relief valve installed to comply with 33 

CFR 154.2103(j) and (k) or 33 CFR 

154.2203(e), (k), and (l), must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

at the outlet; or 

(2) Have a flame arrester if— 

(i) The discharge vent stream’s total 

flammable concentration is proven to be 

less than 50 percent of the lower 

flammable limit at all times by an outlet 

concentration analyzer for carbon beds, 

proof of correct operating temperature 

for refrigeration systems, or proof of 

scrubbing medium flow for scrubbers; 

and 

(ii) The proving devices in paragraph 

(j)(2)(i) of this section close the remotely 

operated cargo vapor shutoff valve 

required in 33 CFR 154.2101(a) and shut 

down any vapor-moving device if 

operating outside the conditions 

necessary to maintain the discharge vent 

non-combustible. 

§ 154.2106 Detonation arresters 

installation. 

This section applies only to facilities 

collecting vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) Each detonation arrester required 

by this part must be installed with a 

minimum distance of 0.6 meters (2 feet) 

from the arrester flange face to any pipe 

bend, shutoff valve, or other device that 

restricts the flow area of the piping. 

(b) Detonation arresters must be 

installed in accordance with the 

guidelines outlined in the arrester 

manufacturer’s acceptance letter 

provided by the Coast Guard. 

(c) Line size expansions in a straight 

pipe run must be no closer than 120 

times the pipe’s diameter from the 

detonation arrester unless the 

manufacturer has test data to show the 

expansion can be closer. 

§ 154.2107 Inerting, enriching, and diluting 

systems. 

This section applies only to facilities 

that control vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) Before receiving cargo vapor, a 

vapor control system (VCS) that uses a 

gas for inerting, enriching, or diluting 

must be capable of inerting, enriching, 

or diluting the vapor collection line, at 

a minimum of two-volume exchanges of 

inerting, enriching, or diluting gas, 

downstream of the injection point. 

(b) A VCS that uses an inerting, 

enriching, or diluting system must be 

equipped, except as permitted by 33 

CFR 154.2105(a), with a gas injection 

and mixing arrangement located as close 

as practicable to the facility vapor 

connection. The total pipe length 

between the arrangement and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 22 meters (72.2 feet). The 

arrangement must be such that it 

provides complete mixing of the gases 

within 20 pipe diameters of the 

injection point. 

(c) A VCS that uses an inerting or 

enriching system may not be operated at 

a vacuum after the injection point 

unless— 

(1) There are no vacuum relief valves 

or other devices that could allow air 

into the vapor collection system 

downstream of the injection point, and 

pipe connections are flanged, threaded, 

or welded so no air can leak into the 

VCS; or 

(2) An additional analyzer is used to 

monitor the downstream vapor 

concentration and a mechanism is 

provided to inject additional inerting or 

enriching gas. 

(d) A VCS that uses analyzers to 

control the amount of inerting, 

enriching, or diluting gas injected into 

the vapor collection line must be 

equipped with at least two analyzers. 

The analyzers must be connected so 

that— 

(1) When two oxygen analyzers are 

used, the higher oxygen concentration 

reading controls the inerting or 

enriching system and activates the 

alarm and automatic shutdown system 

required by paragraph (h), (j), or (k)(2) 

of this section; 

(2) When more than two oxygen 

analyzers are used, the majority pair 

controls the inerting or enriching system 

and activates the alarm and automatic 

shutdown system required by paragraph 

(h), (j), or (k)(2) of this section; 

(3) When two hydrocarbon analyzers 

are used, the lower hydrocarbon 

concentration reading controls the 

enriching system and activates the 

alarm and automatic shutdown system 

required by paragraph (i) of this section; 

(4) When more than two hydrocarbon 

analyzers are used, the majority pair 

controls the enriching system and 

activates the alarm and automatic 

shutdown system required by paragraph 

(i) of this section; 

(5) When two hydrocarbon analyzers 

are used, the higher hydrocarbon 

concentration reading controls the 

diluting system and activates the alarm 

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and automatic shutdown system 

required by paragraph (l) of this section; 

and 

(6) When more than two hydrocarbon 

analyzers are used, the majority pair 

controls the diluting system and 

activates the alarm and automatic 

shutdown system required by paragraph 

(l) of this section. 

(e) A VCS that uses volumetric 

measurements to control the amount of 

inerting, enriching, or diluting gas 

injected into the vapor collection line 

must be equipped, except as permitted 

by paragraph (m) of this section, with at 

least one analyzer to activate the alarms 

and automatic shutdown systems 

required by this section. 

(f) Each oxygen or hydrocarbon 

analyzer required by this section must— 

(1) Be installed in accordance with 

API 550 (incorporated by reference, see 

33 CFR 154.106); 

(2) Have a system response time of not 

more than one minute from sample 

input to 95 percent of final stable value 

as tested per 33 CFR 154.2180 and 33 

CFR 154.2181; and 

(3) Continuously sample the vapor 

concentration not more than 30 pipe 

diameters from the gas injection point. 

(g) A VCS must not use oxygen 

analyzers that operate at elevated 

temperatures (i.e., zirconia oxide or 

thermomagnetic). 

(h) An inerting system must— 

(1) Supply sufficient inert gas to the 

vapor stream to ensure that the oxygen 

concentration downstream of the 

injection point is maintained at or 

below 60 percent by volume of the 

minimum oxygen concentration for 

combustion (MOCC) for the specific 

combination of cargo vapors and inert 

gas being processed, which may be 

determined by using Coast Guard 

guidance available at http:// 

homeport.uscg.mil; 

(2) Activate an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the oxygen concentration in the 

vapor collection line exceeds 60 percent 

by volume of the MOCC for the specific 

combination of cargo vapors and inert 

gas being processed, which may be 

determined by using Coast Guard 

guidance available at http:// 

homeport.uscg.mil; 

(3) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shut down any vapormoving device when the oxygen 

concentration in the vapor collection 

line exceeds 70 percent by volume of 

the MOCC for the specific combination 

of cargo vapors and inert gas being 

processed, which may be determined by 

using Coast Guard guidance available at 

http://homeport.uscg.mil; 

(4) Have a detonation arrester and a 

mechanism to prevent the backflow of 

flammable vapors installed between the 

combustion device and the inert gas 

injection point, if a combustion device 

is used to produce the inert gas; and 

(5) Have an alarm value in paragraph 

(h)(2) of this section that is at least one 

percentage point less than the shutdown 

value in paragraph (h)(3) of this section. 

If the analyzers used to measure oxygen 

concentrations cannot accurately 

differentiate between the alarm value 

and the shutoff value, the alarm value 

must be lowered until the analyzers 

become operable. 

(i) An enriching system must— 

(1) Supply sufficient compatible 

hydrocarbon vapor to the vapor stream 

to make sure that the total flammable 

concentration downstream of the 

injection point is maintained either at or 

above 170 percent by volume of the 

upper flammable limit or above the 

upper flammable limit plus 10 

percentage points, whichever is lower; 

(2) Activate an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the total flammable concentration 

in the vapor collection line either falls 

below 170 percent by volume of the 

upper flammable limit or below the 

upper flammable limit plus 10 

percentage points, whichever is lower; 

(3) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shut down any vapormoving device when the total 

flammable concentration in the vapor 

collection line either falls below 150 

percent by volume of the upper 

flammable limit or below the upper 

flammable limit plus 7.5 percentage 

points, whichever is lower; and 

(4) Have an upper flammable limit 

listed in paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2), and 

(i)(3) of this section which is either the 

cargo’s upper flammable limit or the 

enriching gas’s upper flammable limit, 

whichever is higher. Alternatively, the 

mixture’s upper flammable limit, which 

may be determined by using methods 

found in Coast Guard guidance available 

at http://homeport.uscg.mil, may be 

used. 

(j) Oxygen analyzers may be used 

instead of hydrocarbon analyzers in a 

VCS using an enriching system that 

receives cargo vapor only from a vessel 

with non-inerted cargo tanks, providing 

that the analyzers— 

(1) Activate an alarm satisfying the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the oxygen concentration in the 

vapor collection line exceeds a level 

corresponding to either a total 

flammable concentration of 170 percent 

by volume of the upper flammable limit 

or the upper flammable limit plus 10 

percentage points, whichever yields a 

higher oxygen concentration; 

(2) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shut down any vapormoving device when the oxygen 

concentration in the vapor collection 

line exceeds a level corresponding to 

either a total flammable concentration of 

150 percent by volume of the upper 

flammable limit or the upper flammable 

limit plus 7.5 percentage points, 

whichever yields a higher oxygen 

concentration; 

(3) Have an alarm value in paragraph 

(j)(1) of this section that is at least one 

percentage point less than the shutdown 

value in paragraph (j)(2) of this section. 

If the oxygen analyzers used to measure 

oxygen concentrations cannot 

accurately differentiate between the 

alarm value and the shutdown value, 

the alarm value must be lowered until 

the analyzers become operable; and 

(4) Have an upper flammable limit 

listed in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of 

this section which is either the cargo’s 

upper flammable limit or the enriching 

gas’s upper flammable limit, whichever 

is higher. Alternatively, the mixture’s 

upper flammable limit, which may be 

determined by using methods found in 

Coast Guard guidance available at 

http://homeport.uscg.mil, may be used. 

(k) An enriching system may be used 

in a VCS that receives inerted cargo 

vapor from a vessel if— 

(1) Hydrocarbon analyzers are used to 

comply with paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) 

of this section; or 

(2) Oxygen analyzers are used, in 

which case the analyzers must— 

(i) Activate an alarm meeting 33 CFR 

154.2100(e) when the oxygen 

concentration in the vapor collection 

line exceeds 60 percent by volume of 

the MOCC for the specific combination 

of cargo vapors and gases; and 

(ii) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shut down any vapormoving device when the oxygen 

concentration exceeds 70 percent by 

volume of the MOCC for the specific 

combination of cargo vapors and gases; 

and 

(3) The MOCC in paragraphs (k)(2)(i) 

and (k)(2)(ii) of this section is either the 

cargo’s MOCC or the enriching gas’s 

MOCC, whichever is lower. 

Alternatively, the mixture’s MOCC, 

which may be determined using Coast 

Guard guidance available at http:// 

homeport.uscg.mil, may be used. 

(l) An air dilution system must— 

(1) Supply a sufficient amount of 

additional air to the vapor stream to 

keep the total flammable concentration 

downstream of the injection point below 

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30 percent by volume of the lower 

flammable limit; 

(2) Activate an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the total flammable concentration 

in the vapor collection line exceeds 30 

percent by volume of the lower 

flammable limit; and 

(3) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2100(a) and shut down any vapormoving device when the total 

flammable concentration in the vapor 

collection line exceeds 50 percent by 

volume of the lower flammable limit. 

(m) An enriching system may use a 

base loading method to control the 

amount of enriching gas in a vapor 

collection system if— 

(1) The flow rate of enriching gas is 

determined by assuming the vapor 

entering the facility vapor connection 

consists of 100 percent air; 

(2) Two independent devices are used 

to verify the correct enriching gas 

volumetric flow rate. One of the two 

devices must be a flow meter; 

(3) One of the devices activates an 

alarm that satisfies the requirements of 

33 CFR 154.2100(e) when the amount of 

enriching gas added results in a total 

flammable concentration in the vapor 

collection line either below 170 percent 

by volume of the upper flammable limit 

or below the upper flammable limit plus 

10 percentage points, whichever is 

lower; 

(4) The second device activates 

closure of the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shuts down any vapormoving device when the amount of 

enriching gas added results in a total 

flammable concentration in the vapor 

collection line either below 150 percent 

by volume of the upper flammable limit 

or below the upper flammable limit plus 

7.5 percentage points, whichever is 

lower; and 

(5) The upper flammable limit in 

paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this 

section is either the cargo’s upper 

flammable limit or the enriching gas’s 

upper flammable limit, whichever is 

higher. Alternatively, the mixture’s 

upper flammable limit, which may be 

determined using Coast Guard guidance 

available at http://homeport.uscg.mil, 

may be used. 

(n) For controlling vapors of different 

cargoes at multiple berths while using 

enriching gas, the highest upper 

flammable limit or the lowest MOCC of 

the cargo or enriching gas, whichever is 

applicable, is used to determine the 

analyzer alarm and shutdown setpoints. 

Alternatively, the mixture’s upper 

flammable limit or MOCC, which may 

be determined by using Coast Guard 

guidance available at http:// 

homeport.uscg.mil, may be used. 

(o) For controlling vapors of inert and 

non-inert cargoes at multiple berths 

while using enriching gas— 

(1) The lowest MOCC of the cargo or 

enriching gas is used to determine the 

analyzer alarm and shutdown setpoints 

at all berths. Alternatively, the mixture’s 

MOCC, which may be determined using 

Coast Guard guidance available at 

http://homeport.uscg.mil, may be used; 

or 

(2) A base loading method meeting 

the requirements of paragraph (m) of 

this section is used for all berths. 

§ 154.2108 Vapor-moving devices. 

(a) Paragraphs (b) and (e) of this 

section apply only to facilities collecting 

vapors of flammable, combustible, or 

non-high flash point liquid cargoes. 

(b) Each inlet and outlet to a vapormoving device that handles vapor that 

has not been inerted, enriched, or 

diluted in accordance with 33 CFR 

154.2107 must be fitted with a 

detonation arrester; however, the outlet 

detonation arrester may be omitted if 

the vapor-moving device is within 50 

times the pipe’s diameter of the 

detonation arrester required by 33 CFR 

154.2109(a). 

(c) If the vapor is handled by a 

reciprocating or screw-type compressor 

in the vapor collection system, the 

compressor must be installed with 

indicators and audible and visible 

alarms to warn against the following 

conditions: 

(1) Excessive gas temperature at the 

compressor outlet; 

(2) Excessive cooling water 

temperature; 

(3) Excessive vibration; 

(4) Low lube oil level; 

(5) Low lube oil pressure; and 

(6) Excessive shaft bearing 

temperature. 

(d) If the vapor is handled by a liquid 

ring-type compressor in the vapor 

collection system, it must be installed 

with indicators and audible and visible 

alarms to warn against the following 

conditions: 

(1) Low level of liquid sealing 

medium; 

(2) Lack of flow of the liquid sealing 

medium; 

(3) Excessive temperature of the 

liquid sealing medium; 

(4) Low lube oil level; 

(5) Low lube oil pressure, if 

pressurized lubricating system; and 

(6) Excessive shaft bearing 

temperature. 

(e) If the vapor is handled by a 

centrifugal compressor, fan, or lobe 

blower in the vapor collection system, 

construction of the blades or housing 

must be one of the following: 

(1) Blades or housing of nonmetallic 

construction; 

(2) Blades and housing of nonferrous 

material; 

(3) Blades and housing of corrosion 

resistant steel; 

(4) Ferrous blades and housing with 

one-half inch or more design tip 

clearance; 

(5) Nonferrous blades and ferrous 

housing with one-half inch or more 

design tip clearance; or 

(6) Blades of aluminum or magnesium 

alloy and a ferrous housing with a 

nonferrous insert sleeve at the periphery 

of the impeller. 

§ 154.2109 Vapor recovery and vapor 

destruction units. 

Paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of this 

section apply only to facilities collecting 

vapors of flammable, combustible, or 

non-high flash point liquid cargoes. 

(a) The inlet to a vapor recovery unit 

that receives vapor that has not been 

inerted, enriched, or diluted in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2107 must 

be fitted with a detonation arrester. 

(b) The inlet to a vapor destruction 

unit must— 

(1) Have a liquid seal that meets the 

requirements of paragraph (e) of this 

section, except as specified by 

paragraph (b)(3) of this section; and 

(2) Have two quick-closing stop valves 

installed in the vapor line. One of them 

must be installed upstream of the 

detonation arrester required by 

paragraph (c)(2) of this section. The 

quick-closing stop valves must— 

(i) Close within 30 seconds after 

detection of a shutdown condition by a 

control component required by this 

subpart for a vapor control system (VCS) 

with a vapor destruction unit; 

(ii) Close automatically if the control 

signal is lost; 

(iii) Have a local valve position 

indicator or be designed so that the 

valve position is readily determined 

from the valve handle or valve stem 

position; and 

(iv) If the valve seat is fitted with 

resilient material, not allow appreciable 

leakage when the resilient material is 

damaged or destroyed; and 

(3) Instead of a liquid seal as required 

by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, have 

the following: 

(i) An anti-flashback burner approved 

by the Commandant and installed at 

each burner within the vapor 

destruction unit; and 

(ii) A differential pressure sensor that 

activates the quick-closing stop valves 

as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this 

section upon sensing a reverse flow 

condition. 

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(c) A vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Not be within 30 meters (98.8 feet) 

of any tank vessel berth or mooring at 

the facility; 

(2) Have a detonation arrester fitted in 

the inlet vapor line; and 

(3) Activate an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) and 

shut down when a flame is detected on 

the detonation arrester. 

(d) When a vapor destruction unit 

shuts down or has a flame-out 

condition, the vapor destruction unit 

control system must— 

(1) Activate and close the quickclosing stop valves required by 

paragraph (b)(2) of this section; 

(2) Close the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a); and 

(3) Automatically shut down any 

vapor-moving devices installed in the 

VCS. 

(e) If a liquid seal is installed at the 

inlet to a vapor destruction unit, then— 

(1) The liquid used in the liquid seal 

must be compatible with the vapors 

being controlled; 

(2) For partially or totally soluble 

cargoes that can polymerize in solution, 

there must be an adequate amount of 

inhibitor in the liquid seal; 

(3) The liquid seal must be compatible 

with the design of the VCS and must not 

contribute to the flammability of the 

vapor stream; and 

(4) The liquid seal must have a lowlevel alarm and a low-low level 

shutdown. 

§ 154.2110 Vapor balancing requirements. 

Paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(4), (b), and (c) of 

this section apply only to facilities 

transferring vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) A vapor control system (VCS) that 

uses a vapor balancing system in which 

cargo vapor is transferred from a vessel 

cargo tank or facility storage tank 

through the facility vapor collection 

system to a facility storage tank or vessel 

cargo tank must— 

(1) Have facility storage tank highlevel alarm systems and facility storage 

tank overfill control systems arranged to 

prevent the cargo from entering the 

vapor return line; 

(2) Have a detonation arrester located 

within the storage tank containment 

area and a detonation arrester located as 

close as practicable to the facility vapor 

connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); 

(3) Meet the overpressure and overvacuum protection requirements of 33 

CFR 154.2103; and 

(4) For inert cargo systems, have at 

least one oxygen analyzer in the vapor 

line that activates an alarm that satisfies 

the requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the oxygen concentration in the 

vapor line exceeds 60 percent by 

volume of the minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion (MOCC) 

for the specific combination of cargo 

vapor and inert gas, which may be 

determined using Coast Guard guidance 

available at http://homeport.uscg.mil. 

(b) A vapor balancing system, while 

in operation to transfer vapor to or from 

a vessel cargo tank and connected by 

way of the facility storage tank vent to 

a facility’s main VCS with a vapor 

destruction unit, must have— 

(1) A mechanism to prevent backflow 

of vapor from the facility’s main VCS to 

the marine vapor line; and 

(2) Two fail-safe, quick-closing valves 

installed in the marine vapor line at the 

facility storage tank that automatically 

close when— 

(i) Flame is detected on the facility 

storage tank; or 

(ii) The temperature of the facility 

storage tank’s vapor space reaches 

177 °C (350 °F) or 70 percent of the 

vapor’s auto-ignition temperature in 

degrees Celsius, whichever is lower. 

(c) Transferring vapor from a noninerted facility storage tank to a vessel 

cargo tank that is required to be inerted 

in accordance with 46 CFR 32.53, 

153.500, or Table 151.05, is prohibited. 

(d) A vapor balancing system that 

transfers vapor to a vessel cargo tank 

must not use a vapor-moving device to 

assist vapor transfer or inject inerting, 

enriching, or diluting gas into the vapor 

line without approval from the 

Commandant. 

§ 154.2111 Vapor control system 

connected to a facility’s main vapor control 

system. 

(a) When a marine vapor control 

system (VCS) is connected to a facility’s 

main VCS serving other plant 

processing areas that are not related to 

tank vessel operations, the marine vapor 

line, before the point where the marine 

VCS connects to the facility’s main VCS, 

must be fitted with— 

(1) A detonation arrester, unless both 

the marine VCS and the facility’s main 

VCS only control vapors of cargoes that 

are non-flammable, non-combustible, or 

that have high flashpoints; 

(2) Two fail-safe, quick closing valves, 

one on each side of any detonation 

arrester required by paragraph (a)(1) of 

this section, which automatically close 

when a flame is detected on the 

detonation arrester or a VCS shutdown 

condition occurs, or when the facility’s 

marine VCS is not in operation; and 

(3) A mechanism to prevent backflow 

of vapors to the marine vapor line. 

(b) Vapors from plant processing areas 

unrelated to tank vessel operations must 

not enter the vapor line of a marine VCS 

before the devices required by 

paragraph (a) of this section. 

(c) A facility that wants to connect a 

facility vapor line, which collects vapor 

from other plant processing areas that 

are not related to tank vessel operations, 

to a marine VCS, must receive approval 

in writing from the Commandant. 

§ 154.2112 Vapors with potential to 

polymerize or freeze—Special 

requirements. 

(a) A vapor control system (VCS) that 

controls vapors with the potential to 

polymerize at a normal ambient 

condition must— 

(1) Be designed to prevent 

condensation of monomer vapor. 

Methods such as heat tracing and 

insulation are permitted if they do not 

result in an increased risk of 

polymerization; 

(2) Be designed so that polymerization 

can be detected. Any points suspected 

of being sites for potential 

polymerization buildup must be 

equipped with inspection openings; and 

(3) Include devices to measure the 

pressure drop across detonation 

arresters due to polymerization. Any 

device used for this purpose, including 

differential pressure monitors, must not 

have the capability of transmitting a 

detonation across the detonation 

arrester. 

(b) A VCS that controls cargo vapors 

that potentially freeze at ambient 

temperature must have a design that 

prevents the freezing of vapors or 

condensate at ambient temperature or 

that detects and removes the liquid 

condensate and solids to prevent 

accumulation. 

§ 154.2113 Alkylene oxides—Special 

requirements. 

A vapor control system (VCS) that 

controls vapors of an alkylene oxide 

must comply with the following: 

(a) The VCS’s equipment, hoses, 

piping, and all piping components, 

including valves, flanges, and fittings, 

which must be of a type and constructed 

out of materials suitable for use with 

alkylene oxide; 

(b) The VCS used for collecting an 

alkylene oxide vapor must not be used 

for collecting other vapors and must be 

separated from any other VCS, except as 

specified by paragraph (c) of this 

section; and 

(c) The VCS must be adequately 

cleaned in accordance with 33 CFR 

154.2150(p) and recertified by a 

certifying entity if— 

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(1) The VCS is used to control other 

vapors; or 

(2) The VCS is returned to alkylene 

oxide service after being used to control 

other cargo vapors. 

Transfer Facilities—Operations 

§ 154.2150 General requirements. 

(a) No transfer operation using a vapor 

control system (VCS) may be conducted 

unless the facility operator has a copy 

of the facility operations manual, with 

the VCS addendum, marked by the local 

Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) 

as required by 33 CFR 154.325(d). 

(b) Personnel in charge of a facility 

must ensure that— 

(1) The facility controls vapor only 

from cargoes that are properly 

authorized for vapor control in the 

facility’s certification letter; 

(2) The facility transfers vapor only to 

or from a vessel that has its certificate 

of inspection or certificate of 

compliance endorsed in accordance 

with 46 CFR 39.1013 or 46 CFR 39.1015 

for each cargo intended for transfer; and 

(3) If the vessel tanks to be vapor 

controlled contain vapor from previous 

cargo transfers other than the cargo or 

cargoes intended for transfer, the facility 

and vessel must be authorized to control 

the additional vapor from the previous 

cargo transfers. Any oxygen or 

hydrocarbon analyzer alarm and 

shutdown setpoints must be set to 

accommodate all of the cargo vapors. 

(c) The facility personnel in charge 

must ensure that safety system testing is 

conducted as follows: 

(1) Pressure sensors, alarms, and 

automatic shutdown systems required 

by 33 CFR 154.2103, 154.2107, and 

154.2110, except as exempted by 

paragraph (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section, 

must be tested by applying the test 

pressure at the sensors not more than 24 

hours before each transfer; 

(2) The pressure sensors required by 

33 CFR 154.2103 may meet the 

requirements of the test program 

contained in 33 CFR 154.2180 and 33 

CFR 154.2181 instead of the current 

program, which mandates tests within 

24 hours before each transfer as required 

by paragraph (c)(1) of this section; 

(3) Visible and audible alarm 

indicators must be tested not more than 

24 hours before each transfer; 

(4) The analyzers required by 33 CFR 

154.2105, 154.2107, and 154.2110, 

except as exempted by paragraph (c)(5) 

of this section, must be checked for 

calibration response by using a span gas 

not more than 24 hours before each 

transfer; 

(5) The analyzers required by 33 CFR 

154.2105, 154.2107, and 154.2110 may 

be checked for calibration response by 

use of a span gas as defined by the test 

program contained in 33 CFR 154.2180 

and 33 CFR 154.2181, and comply with 

the minimum requirements as defined 

in 33 CFR 154.2180 and 33 CFR 

154.2181, instead of the test required by 

paragraph (c)(4) of this section; and 

(6) The vacuum and pressure relief 

valves required by 33 CFR 154.2103 

must be checked not more than 24 hours 

before each transfer to make sure they 

are operating without constraint and to 

ensure that any required flame screens 

or flame arresters are not damaged. 

(d) The proper position of all valves 

in the vapor line between the vessel’s 

tanks and the facility vapor collection 

system must be verified before the start 

of the transfer operation. 

(e) A tank barge overfill control 

system that meets the requirements of 

46 CFR 39.2009(a)(2) must— 

(1) Not be connected to an overfill 

sensor circuit that exceeds the system’s 

rated inductance and capacitance; and 

(2) Be tested for proper operation after 

connection is made with the vessel by 

simulating liquid high level and overfill 

at each tank. 

(f) When receiving vapor from a vessel 

with cargo tanks that are required to be 

inerted in accordance with 46 CFR 

32.53, 46 CFR 153.500, or 46 CFR Table 

151.05, the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) must not be opened until 

the pressure at the facility vapor 

connection exceeds 0.2 pounds per 

square inch gauge (psig). 

(g) The initial cargo transfer rate must 

not exceed the rate agreed upon at the 

pre-transfer conference and 46 CFR 

39.3001(g). 

(h) The cargo transfer rate must not 

exceed the maximum allowable transfer 

rate as determined by the lesser of the 

following: 

(1) A transfer rate corresponding to 

the maximum vapor processing rate for 

the VCS, as specified in the facility 

operations manual; or 

(2) The vessel’s maximum transfer 

rate in accordance with 46 CFR 

39.3001(d). 

(i) While transferring cargo to a vessel 

connected to a VCS, compressed air or 

gas may be used to clear cargo hoses and 

loading arms, but must not be used to 

clear cargo lines unless a cargo line 

clearance (pigging) system that meets 33 

CFR 154.2104 is provided. 

(j) If a pigging system is used to clear 

cargo lines to the tank vessel while the 

vessel is connected to the facility VCS, 

the following operational requirements 

apply: 

(1) The VCS must be in operation, 

with all of the high-pressure alarms and 

shutdowns required by 33 CFR 154.2103 

active, before and during line-clearing 

operations; 

(2) Personnel performing the lineclearing operation must be adequately 

trained on the specific line-clearing 

system being used. Accurate written 

procedures that address event sequence, 

equipment, safety precautions, and 

overpressurization hazards must be 

made available to all personnel involved 

in the line-clearing operations; 

(3) Line-clearing procedures must be 

reviewed by both the vessel and facility 

personnel in charge as part of the pretransfer conference. Topics of 

discussion during the pre-transfer 

conference must include, but need not 

be limited to— 

(i) Event sequence; 

(ii) Equipment; 

(iii) Safety precautions; 

(iv) Overpressurization hazards; 

(v) Personnel roles; 

(vi) Gas volumetric flow rates; 

(vii) Gas pressures; 

(viii) Volume of residual cargo in the 

line; 

(ix) Amount of ullage space that is 

available for line displacement and 

connections; 

(x) Valve alignment; 

(xi) Units of measure; 

(xii) Terminology; and 

(xiii) Anticipated duration of the 

evolution; 

(4) The pig must be inspected to 

ensure that it is of sufficient durability 

and condition; be of an appropriate size, 

type, and construction for the intended 

operation; and be inspected for defects 

before each use and replaced if 

necessary; 

(5) Personnel performing line-clearing 

operations must monitor pig movement 

at all times. The facility and vessel 

manifold valves must be closed 

immediately after the pig reaches the 

pig-receiving device; and 

(6) If the pigging system contains 

pressure-sensing, relieving, or alarming 

components in addition to those 

required by 33 CFR 154.2103, the 

components must be periodically tested 

in accordance with paragraphs (c) and 

(q) of this section. 

(k) If one or more analyzers required 

by 33 CFR 154.2107 and 154.2110 

become inoperable during a transfer 

operation, the operation may continue, 

provided that at least one analyzer 

remains operational; however, no 

further transfer operations may start 

until all inoperable analyzers are 

replaced or repaired. 

(l) Whenever a condition results in a 

shutdown of the VCS, the emergency 

shutdown system required by 33 CFR 

154.550 must be automatically activated 

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to terminate cargo loading into tanks 

which are being vapor controlled. 

(m) If it is suspected that a flare in the 

VCS has had a flashback, or if a flame 

is detected on a detonation arrester 

required by 33 CFR 154.2109(c)(2), the 

transfer operation must stop and cannot 

restart until that detonation arrester and 

any quick-closing stop valves 

downstream of the detonation arrester 

are inspected and found to be in 

satisfactory condition. 

(n) Before each transfer operation, the 

freezing point of each cargo must be 

determined. If there is a possibility that 

the ambient air temperature during 

transfer operations will be at or below 

the freezing point of the cargo, adequate 

precautions must be taken to prevent 

freezing of vapor or condensate, or to 

detect and remove the frozen liquid and 

condensation to prevent accumulation. 

(o) Before each transfer operation, the 

cargo vapor must be evaluated to 

determine its potential to polymerize, 

and adequate precautions must be taken 

to prevent and detect polymerization of 

the cargo vapors. 

(p) Mixing of incompatible vapors is 

prohibited. The VCS piping, equipment, 

hoses, valves, and arresters must be 

purged between vapor control 

operations that involve incompatible 

chemical vapors in accordance with the 

following: 

(1) Chemical compatibility must be 

determined by using the procedures 

contained in 46 CFR part 150; 

(2) Purge gas must be an inert gas, air, 

or enriching gas, and must be adequate 

to reduce the level of residual vapor to 

a level at which reaction with the 

subsequent vapor cannot occur; and 

(3) The required duration of purge 

time must be calculated and approved 

by the certifying entity during the 

certification or recertification. 

(q) VCS equipment and 

instrumentation must be tested as 

required by 33 CFR 156.170(g), with a 

representative of the COTP invited to 

witness these tests. The test procedure 

and a checklist must be approved by the 

certifying entity during the initial 

certification of the system and 

incorporated into the facility operations 

manual. 

(r) A transfer operation that includes 

collection of vapor emitted to or from a 

vessel’s cargo tanks must meet the 

transfer requirements of 33 CFR 

156.120(aa), and a declaration of 

inspection meeting the requirements of 

33 CFR 156.150 must be completed 

before each transfer. 

Alternative Analyzer and Pressure 

Sensor Reliability Testing 

§ 154.2180 Alternative testing program— 

Generally. 

(a) As an alternative to complying 

with the vapor control system (VCS) 

analyzer and pressure sensor safety 

testing requirements provided by 33 

CFR 154.2150(c) and 33 CFR 

154.2250(c), the facility person in 

charge may administer a reliability 

assurance test program in accordance 

with this section and 33 CFR 154.2181. 

(b) As used in this section: 

(1) Calibration drift or CD means the 

difference in the analyzer output 

readings from the established reference 

value after a stated period of operation 

during which no unscheduled 

maintenance, repair, or adjustment took 

place; 

(2) Calibration error or CE means the 

difference between the gas 

concentration exhibited by the gas 

analyzer and the known concentration 

of the cylinder gas; 

(3) Response time or RT means the 

time interval between the start of a step 

change in the system input (e.g., change 

of calibration gas) and the time when 

the data recording system displays 95 

percent of the final stable value; and 

(4) Sampling system bias or SSB 

means the difference between the gas 

concentrations indicated by the 

measurement system when a known 

cylinder gas is introduced at the outlet 

of the sampling probe and when the 

same gas is introduced directly to the 

analyzer. 

(c) All analyzers used in a VCS must 

be safety system function tested and 

tested for CE, CD, RT, and SSB, in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2181. 

(d) All pressure sensors/switches used 

in a VCS must be safety system function 

tested and tested for CE and CD, in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2181. 

(e) The facility person in charge must 

ensure the following: 

(1) Calibration of instrumentation 

using standard procedures provided by 

the manufacturer or service provider; 

(2) Monitoring of all interlocks, 

alarms, and recording devices for proper 

operation while instrumentation is 

being calibrated; 

(3) Use of a certified 2 percent or 

better gas standard to calibrate the 

analyzers; and 

(4) Use of a certified secondary 

standard to calibrate the pressure 

sensors/switches. 

(f) Upon failing any test under 33 CFR 

154.2181, the facility person in charge 

must ensure that all monthly and 

quarterly tests, including CE, CD, RT, 

and SSB, are conducted; and until all 

quarterly tests are completed, the person 

in charge must ensure that the vapor 

control alarms and automatic shutdown 

system are tested no more than 24 hours 

prior to any transfer or tank barge 

cleaning operation. 

(g) Analyzers required by 33 CFR 

154.2105(a) and (j) and 154.2107(d) and 

(e) must be checked for calibration using 

a span gas. 

(h) The facility operator must 

maintain and make available upon the 

request of the Commandant and the 

certifying entity that certifies the VCS 

the following reliability assurance test 

program documents for two years: 

(1) All test procedures; 

(2) The dates of all tests, type of tests 

made, and who conducted the tests; 

(3) Results of the tests, including the 

‘‘as found’’ and ‘‘as left’’ conditions; and 

(4) A record of the date and time of 

repairs made. 

§ 154.2181 Alternative testing program— 

Test requirements. 

(a) The safety system function test 

required by 33 CFR 154.2180 must be 

performed once every two weeks and 

test for the proper operation and 

interaction of the analyzer or pressure 

sensor/switch with shutdown 

interlocks, and audible and visible 

alarm devices. 

(b) The calibration error (CE) test 

required by 33 CFR 154.2180 must be 

performed once every month and 

documented as shown in Forms 

154.2181(b)(2) and 154.2181(b)(3) of this 

section, to document the accuracy and 

linearity of the monitoring equipment 

for the entire measurement range. 

(1) The CE test must expose the 

measurement system, including all 

monitoring components (e.g., sample 

lines, filters, scrubbers, conditioners, 

and as much of the probe as 

practicable), to the calibration gases, 

introduced through an injection port 

located so as to allow a check of the 

entire measurement system when 

calibration gases are introduced; 

(2) The CE test must check the 

calibrated range of each analyzer using 

a lower (zero) and upper (span) 

reference gas standard. Three 

measurements must be taken against 

each standard and recorded as shown in 

Form 154.2181(b)(2) of this section, 

with the average of the three values in 

each case then used to calculate the CE 

according to this equation (where CE = 

percentage calibration error based upon 

span of the instrument, R = reference 

value of zero or high-level calibration 

gas introduced into the monitoring 

system, A = actual monitoring system 

response to the calibration gas, and S = 

span of the instrument): 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 65179 

CE

R A

S = − ×100

FORM 154.2181(b)(2)—CALIBRATION ERROR DETERMINATION

Calibration 

Value 

Monitor 

Response 

Difference 

Zero Span 

1—Zero 

1—Span 

2—Zero 

2—Span 

3—Zero 

3—Span 

Mean Difference = 

Calibration Error = % % 

(3) The CE test must check each 

pressure sensor/switch for upscale 

(activate) and downscale (deactivate) 

hysteresis around the sensor/switch set 

pressure. The calibration error must be 

calculated and recorded as shown in 

Form 154.2181(b)(3) of this section. Test 

the pressure sensor/switch three times 

and record the desired setting and the 

as-found set pressure. Calculate and 

record the difference of the two settings. 

Calculate the error percentage using this 

equation (where CE = percentage 

calibration error based upon span of the 

instrument, R = reference setting of the 

instrument, A = actual response as 

recorded on the test instrument, and 

S = span of the instrument): 

CE

R A

S = − ×100

Record sensor ‘‘as-left’’ setting only if 

an adjustment is made. 


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65180 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

FORM 154.2181(b)(3)—SWITCH CALIBRATION ERROR

(c) The calibration drift (CD) test 

required by 33 CFR 154.2180 must be 

performed once every quarter and 

documented as shown in Form 

154.2181(c)(3) of this section, to verify 

the ability of the instrument to conform 

to the established calibration. 

(1) The CD measurement must be 

conducted once daily for seven 

consecutive days without making any 

adjustments to the instruments. 

(2) Conduct the CD test at zero level 

(between 0 and 20 percent of the 

instrument span) and at high level 

(between 75 and 95 percent of the 

instrument span). 

(3) Calculate and record the CD for 

seven consecutive days using the 

equations in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) 

of this section and Form 154.2181(c)(3) 

of this section. 

FORM 154.2181(c)(3)—CALIBRATION DRIFT DETERMINATION

Day Day/Time Reference Value 

(RV) Monitor Value Difference (Error) 

Percent of RV 

(Drift) 

Low-Level: 


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FORM 154.2181(c)(3)—CALIBRATION DRIFT DETERMINATION—Continued 

Day Day/Time Reference Value 

(RV) Monitor Value Difference (Error) 

Percent of RV 

(Drift) 

High-Level: 

(d) The response time (RT) test 

required by 33 CFR 154.2180 must be 

performed once every quarter and 

documented as shown in Form 

154.2181(d) of this section, to determine 

the RT which is the largest average 

response time in the upscale or 

downscale direction. 

(1) For systems that normally operate 

below 20 percent of calibrated range, 

only a span (upscale) test is required. 

(2) Record the span (upscale) value, 

zero (downscale) cylinder gas value, and 

stable, initial process-measured variable 

value. 

(3) Determine the step change, which 

is equal to the average difference 

between the initial process-measured 

variable value and the average final 

stable cylinder gas-measured value. 

(4) To determine both upscale and 

downscale step change intervals— 

(i) Inject span (or zero) cylinder gas 

into the sample system as close to the 

sample probe as possible; 

(ii) Allow the analyzer to stabilize and 

record the stabilized value. A stable 

reading is achieved when the 

concentration reading deviates less than 

6 percent from the measured average 

concentration in 6 minutes or if it 

deviates less than 2 percent of the 

monitor’s span value in 1 minute; 

(iii) Stop the span (or zero) gas flow, 

allow the monitor to stabilize back to 

the measured variable value, and record 

the stabilized value; and 

(iv) Repeat this procedure a total of 

three times and subtract the average 

final monitor reading from the average 

starting monitor value to determine the 

average upscale (or downscale) step 

change. 

(5) Determine the response time, 

which is equal to the elapsed time at 

which 95 percent of the step change 

occurred. 

(i) To find this value, take 5 percent 

of the average step change value and 

subtract the result from the cylinder gas 

analyzed value as shown in the 

following equation: 

95% step change value = cylinder gas 

value ¥ (0.05 × avg. step change) 

(ii) Inject span (or zero) cylinder gas 

into the sample system as close to the 

sample probe as possible, and measure 

the time it takes to reach the 95 percent 

step change value. 

(iii) Repeat the previous step 

(paragraph (d)(5)(ii) of this section) a 

total of three times each with span and 

zero cylinder gas to determine average 

upscale and downscale response times. 

(iv) Compare the response times 

achieved for the upscale and downscale 

tests. The longer of these two times 

equals the response time for the 

analyzer. 

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65182 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

FORM 154.2181(d)—RESPONSE TIME

(e) The sample system bias (SSB) test 

required by 33 CFR 154.2180 must be 

performed once every quarter and 

documented, to establish that the 

system has no additional influence on 

the measurement being made by the 

analyzer. 

(1) Conduct a close CE test in 

accordance with paragraph (b) of this 

section, by injecting calibration gas as 

close as possible to the analyzer, 

eliminating as much of the sample 

system components as possible, while 

still simulating the normal source 

operating conditions. 

(2) If system integrity is maintained, 

and it has not become contaminated, the 

difference between the close and 

standard CE tests should be the same. 

(f) For CE and CD tests, analyzers and 

pressure sensors must meet the 

following minimum compliance 

requirements: 

(1) Oxygen analyzers must not deviate 

from the reference value of the zero- or 

high-level calibration gas by more than 

0.5 percent of full scale; 

(2) Total hydrocarbon analyzers must 

not deviate from the reference value of 

the zero- or high-level calibration gas by 

more than 1 percent of full scale; and 

(3) Pressure sensors/switches must 

not deviate from the reference value of 

the zero- or high-level calibration gas by 

more than 1.5 percent of full range. 

(g) For RT tests, each oxygen or 

hydrocarbon analyzer must respond, in 

less than 1 minute, to 95 percent of the 

final stable value of a test span gas. 

(h) For SSB tests, the analyzer system 

bias must be less than 5 percent of the 

average difference between the standard 

CE test and the close CE test, divided by 

the individual analyzer span. 

Tank Barge Cleaning Facilities—VCS 

Design and Installation 

§ 154.2200 Applicable transfer facility 

design and installation requirements. 

A tank barge cleaning facility’s 

(TBCF’s) vapor control system (VCS) 

must meet the following design and 

installation requirements of this subpart 

for a transfer facility’s VCS: 

(a) 33 CFR 154.2100(b), (c), (f), (g), (i), 

(j), and (k): general design and 

installation requirements; 

(b) 33 CFR 154.2106: detonation 

arrester installation; 

(c) 33 CFR 154.2107: inerting, 

enriching, and diluting systems; 

(d) 33 CFR 154.2108: vapor-moving 

devices; 

(e) 33 CFR 154.2109: vapor recovery 

and vapor destruction units; 

(f) 33 CFR 154.2111: VCS connected 

to a facility’s main VCS; 


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(g) 33 CFR 154.2112: special 

requirements for vapors with the 

potential to polymerize or freeze; and 

(h) 33 CFR 154.2113: special 

requirements for alkylene oxides. 

§ 154.2201 Vapor control system—General 

requirements. 

(a) Vapor control system (VCS) design 

and installation must eliminate 

potential overpressure and vacuum 

hazards, sources of ignition, and 

mechanical damage to the maximum 

practicable extent. Each remaining 

hazard source that is not eliminated 

must be specifically addressed in the 

protection system design and system 

operational requirements. 

(b) Any pressure, flow, or 

concentration indication required by 

this part must provide a remote 

indicator on the facility where the VCS 

is controlled, unless the local indicator 

is clearly visible and readable from the 

operator’s normal position at the VCS 

control station. 

(c) Any condition requiring an alarm 

as specified in this part must activate an 

audible and visible alarm where the 

VCS is controlled. 

(d) A mechanism must be developed 

and used to eliminate any liquid from 

the VCS. 

(e) A liquid knockout vessel must be 

installed between the facility vapor 

connection and any vapor-moving 

device in systems that have the 

potential for two-phase (vapor/liquid) 

flow from the barge or the potential for 

liquid condensate to form as a result of 

the enrichment process. The liquid 

knockout vessel must have— 

(1) A means to indicate the level of 

liquid in the device; 

(2) A high liquid level sensor that 

activates an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e); 

and 

(3) A high-high liquid level sensor 

that closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) and shuts down any vapormoving device before liquid is carried 

over to the vapor-moving device. One 

sensor with two stages may be used to 

meet this requirement as well as 

paragraph (e)(2) of this section. 

§ 154.2202 Vapor line connections. 

(a) 33 CFR 154.2101(a), (e), and (g) 

apply to a tank barge cleaning facility’s 

(TBCF’s) vapor control system (VCS). 

(b) The remotely operated cargo vapor 

shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) must be located upstream of 

the liquid knockout vessel required by 

33 CFR 154.2201(e). 

(c) A fluid displacement system must 

have a remotely operated shutoff valve 

installed in the fluid injection supply 

line between the point where the inert 

gas or other medium is generated and 

the fluid injection connection. The 

valve must comply with 33 CFR 

154.2101(a)(1) through (a)(6). 

(d) Each hose used for transferring 

vapors must— 

(1) Have a design burst pressure of at 

least 25 pounds per square inch gauge 

(psig); 

(2) Have a maximum allowable 

working pressure (MAWP) no less than 

5 psig; 

(3) Be capable of withstanding at least 

the maximum vacuum rating of the 

vapor-moving device without collapsing 

or constricting; 

(4) Be electrically continuous, with a 

maximum resistance of 10,000 ohms; 

(5) Have flanges with a bolthole 

arrangement complying with the 

requirements for Class 150 ANSI B16.5 

flanges (incorporated by reference, see 

33 CFR 154.106); 

(6) Be abrasion and kinking resistant; 

and 

(7) Be compatible with vapors being 

transferred. 

(e) Fixed vapor collection arms must 

meet the requirements of paragraph (d) 

of this section. 

§ 154.2203 Facility requirements for barge 

vapor overpressure and vacuum protection. 

In this section, the requirements of 

having a flame arrester or a flame screen 

at the opening of a pressure relief valve 

or a vacuum relief valve apply only to 

facilities collecting vapors of flammable, 

combustible, or non-high flash point 

liquid cargoes. 

(a) A facility vapor collection system 

must have a capacity for collecting 

cleaning facility vapors at a rate of no 

less than 1.1 times the facility’s 

maximum allowable gas-freeing rate, 

plus any inerting, diluting, or enriching 

gas that may be added to the system. 

(b) A facility vapor control system 

(VCS) must be designed to prevent the 

pressure in a vessel’s cargo tanks from 

going below 80 percent of the highest 

setting of any of the barge’s vacuum 

relief valves or exceeding 80 percent of 

the lowest setting of any of the barge’s 

pressure relief valves. The VCS must be 

capable of maintaining the pressure in 

the barge’s cargo tanks within this range 

at any gas-freeing rate less than or equal 

to the maximum gas-freeing rate 

determined by the requirements in 46 

CFR 39.6007(c). 

(c) A fluid displacement system must 

provide a pressure-sensing device that 

activates an alarm that satisfies the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2100(e) 

when the pressure at the fluid injection 

connection exceeds either the pressure 

corresponding to the upper pressure 

determined in paragraph (b) of this 

section or a lower pressure agreed upon 

by the facility and barge persons in 

charge. The pressure-sensing device 

must be located in the fluid 

displacement system’s piping 

downstream of any devices that could 

potentially isolate the barge’s vapor 

collection system from the pressuresensing device. The pressure measured 

by the sensing device must be corrected 

for pressure drops across any barge 

piping, hoses, or arms that are used to 

inject the fluid. 

(d) A fluid displacement system must 

provide a pressure-sensing device that is 

independent of the device required by 

paragraph (c) of this section. This 

pressure-sensing device must activate 

the fluid displacement system 

emergency shutdown and close the 

remotely operated cargo vapor shutoff 

valve required by 33 CFR 154.2101(a). It 

must also close the remotely operated 

shutoff valve required by 33 CFR 

154.2202(c) when the pressure at the 

fluid injection connection reaches 90 

percent of the lowest setting of any 

pressure relief valve on the barge. The 

pressure-sensing device must be located 

in the fluid displacement system’s 

piping downstream of any device that 

could potentially isolate the barge’s VCS 

from the pressure-sensing device. The 

pressure measured by the sensing 

device must be corrected for pressure 

drops across any barge piping, hoses, or 

arms that are used to inject the fluid. 

(e) If a vapor-moving device capable 

of drawing more than 0.5 pounds per 

square inch gauge (psig) vacuum is used 

to draw vapor, air, inert gas, or other 

medium from the barge, a vacuum relief 

valve must be installed on the facility’s 

fixed vapor collection system piping 

between the facility vapor connection 

and the vapor-moving device. The 

vacuum relief valve must— 

(1) Relieve at a pressure such that the 

pressure at the facility vapor connection 

is maintained at or above 14.2 pounds 

per square inch absolute (psia) (¥0.5 

psig); 

(2) Have a relieving capacity equal to 

or greater than the maximum capacity of 

the vapor-moving device; 

(3) Have a flame arrester or flame 

screen fitted at the vacuum relief 

opening; 

(4) Have been tested for relieving 

capacity in accordance with paragraph 

1.5.1.3 of API 2000 (incorporated by 

reference, see 33 CFR 154.106), with a 

flame arrester or flame screen fitted; and 

(5) Be constructed of materials 

compatible with the vapors being gasfreed. 

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65184 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

(f) The vacuum relief valve 

requirements of paragraph (e) of this 

section may include a valve to isolate it 

from the facility vapor collection piping, 

provided— 

(1) The isolation valve must be 

interlocked with any vapor-moving 

device such that the vapor-moving 

device cannot activate unless the 

isolation valve is in the full open 

position (i.e., the vacuum relief valve is 

not isolated); and 

(2) The isolation valve can only be 

closed after the facility person in charge 

has acknowledged that the hatch 

opening required by 33 CFR 154.2250(i) 

is open and secured. 

(g) If a vapor-moving device capable 

of drawing more than 0.5 psig vacuum 

is used to draw vapor, air, inert gas, or 

other medium from the barge, the 

facility must install portable, 

intrinsically safe, pressure-sensing 

devices on any cargo tank at the 

connection required by 46 CFR 

39.6003(b) before any cleaning 

operation begins on the tank. A 

pressure-sensing device must be 

provided that— 

(1) Activates an alarm that satisfies 33 

CFR 154.2100(e) when the pressure in 

the cargo tank being cleaned falls below 

80 percent of the highest setting of any 

of the barge’s vacuum relief valves, or a 

higher pressure agreed upon by the 

facility and barge persons in charge; and 

(2) Activates the emergency shutdown 

system for the vapor-moving device and 

closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve described in 33 CFR 

154.2101(a) when the pressure in the 

cargo tank being cleaned falls below 90 

percent of the highest setting of any of 

the barge’s vacuum relief valves, or a 

higher pressure agreed upon by the 

facility and barge persons in charge. 

This pressure-sensing device must be 

independent of the device used to 

activate an alarm required by paragraph 

(g)(1) of this section. 

(h) The pressure-sensing devices 

required by paragraph (g) of this section 

must— 

(1) Have suitable means, such as 

approved intrinsic safety barriers that 

are able to accept passive devices, so 

that the under-pressure alarm circuits of 

the barge side of the under-pressure 

control system, including cabling, 

normally closed switches, and pin and 

sleeve connectors, are intrinsically safe; 

(2) Be connected to the underpressure alarm system by a four-wire, 

16-ampere shielded flexible cable; and 

(3) Have cable shielding grounded to 

the under-pressure alarm system. 

(i) A pressure-indicating device must 

be provided within 6 meters (19.7 feet) 

of the facility vapor connection which 

displays the pressure in the vapor 

collection line upstream of any isolation 

valve and any devices, such as strainers, 

that could cause a blockage in the vapor 

line. 

(j) A fluid displacement system must 

include a pressure-indicating device 

that displays the pressure in the fluid 

displacement system injection line. This 

device must be within 6 meters (19.7 

feet) of the fluid injection connection. 

(k) If a fluid displacement system 

used to inject inert gas or another 

medium into the cargo tank of a barge 

being gas-freed is capable of producing 

a pressure greater than 2 psig, a pressure 

relief valve must be installed in the 

fluid displacement system injection line 

between the fluid injection source and 

the fluid injection connection that— 

(1) Relieves at a predetermined 

pressure such that the pressure in the 

fluid displacement system at the fluid 

injection connection does not exceed 

1.5 psig; 

(2) Has a relieving capacity equal to 

or greater than the maximum volumetric 

flow capacity of the fluid displacement 

system; 

(3) Has a flame screen or flame 

arrester fitted at the relief opening; and 

(4) Has been tested for relieving 

capacity in accordance with paragraph 

1.5.1.3 of API 2000, when fitted with a 

flame screen or flame arrester. 

(l) When using the fluid displacement 

system, if the pressure in the facility’s 

fixed vapor collection system can 

exceed 2 psig during a malfunction in 

an inerting, enriching, or diluting 

system, a pressure relief valve must— 

(1) Be installed between the point 

where inerting, enriching, or diluting 

gas is added to the facility’s fixed vapor 

collection system piping and the facility 

vapor connection; 

(2) Relieve at a predetermined 

pressure such that the pressure at the 

facility vapor connection does not 

exceed 1.5 psig; 

(3) Have a relieving capacity equal to 

or greater than the maximum capacity of 

the facility’s inerting, enriching, or 

diluting gas source; 

(4) Have a flame screen or flame 

arrester fitted at the relief opening; 

(5) Have been tested for relieving 

capacity in accordance with paragraph 

1.5.1.3 of API 2000, when fitted with a 

flame screen or flame arrester; and 

(6) Be constructed of materials 

compatible with the vapors being gasfreed. 

(m) For fluid displacement systems, 

the fluid injection connection must be 

electrically insulated from the fluid 

injection source in accordance with 

OCIMF ISGOTT section 17.5 

(incorporated by reference, see 33 CFR 

154.106). 

(n) If the pressure relief valve is not 

designed with a minimum vapor 

discharge velocity of 30 meters (98.4 

feet) per second, the relieving capacity 

test required by paragraphs (k)(4) and 

(l)(5) of this section must be carried out 

with a flame screen or flame arrester 

fitted at the discharge opening. 

(o) A pressure indicating device must 

be provided by the facility for 

installation at the connection required 

by 46 CFR 39.6003(b). 

§ 154.2204 Fire, explosion, and detonation 

protection. 

This section applies to tank barge 

cleaning facilities (TBCFs) collecting 

vapors of flammable, combustible, or 

non-high flash point liquid cargoes. 

(a) A vapor control system (VCS) with 

a single facility vapor connection that 

processes vapor with a vapor recovery 

unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to the facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); or 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(b) A VCS with a single facility vapor 

connection that processes vapor with a 

vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to the facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and the 

facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); and 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(c) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that processes vapor with a 

vapor recovery unit must have a 

detonation arrester located as close as 

practicable to each facility vapor 

connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and 

each facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet). 

(d) A VCS with multiple facility vapor 

connections that processes vapor with a 

vapor destruction unit must— 

(1) Have a detonation arrester located 

as close as practicable to each facility 

vapor connection. The total pipe length 

between the detonation arrester and 

each facility vapor connection must not 

exceed 18 meters (59.1 feet); and 

(2) Have an inerting, enriching, or 

diluting system that meets the 

requirements of 33 CFR 154.2107. 

(e) 33 CFR 154.2105(j) applies to a 

TBCF’s VCS. 

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Tank Barge Cleaning Facilities— 

Operations 

§ 154.2250 General requirements. 

(a) No tank barge cleaning operation 

using a vapor control system (VCS) may 

be conducted unless the facility 

operator has a copy of the facility 

operations manual, with the VCS 

addendum, marked by the local Coast 

Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) as 

required by 33 CFR 154.325(d). 

(b) The facility person in charge must 

ensure that a facility can receive vapors 

only from a barge with a VCS that has 

been approved by the Coast Guard 

Marine Safety Center as meeting the 

requirements of 46 CFR 39.6000. 

(c) The facility person in charge must 

ensure that safety system tests are 

conducted as follows: 

(1) Pressure sensors, alarms, and 

automatic shutdown systems required 

by 33 CFR 154.2203, except as 

exempted by paragraph (c)(2) or (c)(3) of 

this section, must be tested by applying 

the test pressure at the sensors not more 

than 24 hours before each cleaning 

operation; 

(2) The pressure sensors required by 

33 CFR 154.2203 may meet the test 

program in accordance with 33 CFR 

154.2180 and 33 CFR 154.2181 instead 

of the test within 24 hours before each 

cleaning operation as required by 

paragraph (c)(1) of this section; 

(3) Visible and audible alarm 

indicators must be tested not more than 

24 hours before each cleaning operation; 

(4) The analyzers required by 33 CFR 

154.2105(j) and 154.2107(d) and (e), 

except as exempted by paragraph (c)(5) 

of this section, must be checked for 

calibration response by use of a span gas 

not more than 24 hours before each 

cleaning operation; 

(5) The analyzers required by 33 CFR 

154.2105(j) and 154.2107(d) and (e) may 

be checked for calibration response by 

use of a span gas as defined by the test 

program contained in 33 CFR 154.2180 

and 33 CFR 154.2181, and comply with 

the minimum requirements as defined 

in 33 CFR 154.2180 and 33 CFR 

154.2181, instead of as provided by 

paragraph (c)(4) of this section; and 

(6) The vacuum and pressure relief 

valves required by 33 CFR 154.2203 

must be checked not more than 24 hours 

before each cleaning operation to make 

sure they are operating without 

constraint and that any required flame 

screens or flame arresters are not 

damaged. 

(d) The facility person in charge must 

verify the following before beginning 

cleaning operations: 

(1) Each valve in the vapor collection 

system between the barge’s cargo tank 

and the facility vapor collection system 

is correctly positioned to allow the 

collection of vapors; 

(2) A vapor collection hose or arm is 

connected to the barge’s vapor 

collection system; 

(3) The electrical insulating devices 

required by 33 CFR 154.2101(g) and 

154.2203(m) are installed; 

(4) The maximum allowable gasfreeing rate as determined by the lesser 

of the following: 

(i) A gas-freeing rate corresponding to 

the maximum vapor processing rate for 

the tank barge cleaning facility’s 

(TBCF’s) VCS, as specified in the facility 

operations manual; or 

(ii) The barge’s maximum gas-freeing 

rate determined in accordance with 46 

CFR 39.6007(c); 

(5) The gas-freeing rate does not 

exceed the maximum allowable gasfreeing rate as determined in paragraph 

(d)(4) of this section; 

(6) The maximum allowable stripping 

rate is determined and does not exceed 

the volumetric capacity of the barge’s 

vacuum relief valve at the valve’s 

setpoint for the cargo tank being 

stripped; 

(7) The barge’s maximum and 

minimum operating pressures; 

(8) Each vapor collection hose has no 

unrepaired or loose covers, kinks, 

bulges, soft spots, or any other defects 

that would permit the discharge of 

vapor through the hose material; and no 

external gouges, cuts, or slashes that 

penetrate the first layer of hose 

reinforcement; 

(9) The freezing point of each cargo. 

If there is a possibility that the ambient 

air temperature during cleaning 

operations will be at or below the 

freezing point of the cargo, adequate 

precautions have been taken to prevent 

freezing of vapor or condensate, or to 

detect and remove the frozen liquid and 

condensate to prevent accumulation; 

and 

(10) The cargo vapor is evaluated for 

the potential to polymerize, and 

adequate precautions have been taken to 

prevent and detect polymerization of 

the cargo vapors. 

(e) A vapor collection system must 

not be used unless the following tests 

and inspections are completed to the 

satisfaction of the facility person in 

charge: 

(1) Each vapor collection hose, vapor 

collection arm, pressure or vacuum 

relief valve, and pressure sensor is 

tested and inspected in accordance with 

33 CFR 156.170(b), (c), and (f); 

(2) Each remote operating or 

indicating device is tested for proper 

operation in accordance with 33 CFR 

156.170(f); and 

(3) Each required detonation arrester 

has been inspected internally within the 

last year, or more frequently if 

operational experience has shown that 

frequent clogging or rapid deterioration 

is likely. 

(f) If one or more analyzers required 

by 33 CFR 154.2107(d) and (e) become 

inoperable during gas-freeing 

operations, the operation may continue, 

provided that at least one analyzer 

remains operational; however, no 

further gas-freeing operations may be 

started until all inoperable analyzers are 

repaired or replaced. 

(g) Whenever a condition results in a 

shutdown of the VCS, the cleaning 

operations must be immediately 

terminated. The operation may not 

resume until the cause of the shutdown 

has been investigated and corrective 

action taken. 

(h) If it is suspected that a flare in the 

VCS has had a flashback, or if a flame 

is detected on a detonation arrester 

required by 33 CFR 154.2109(c)(2), the 

cleaning operation must be stopped and 

may not resume until the detonation 

arrester and any quick-closing stop 

valves downstream of the detonation 

arrester have been inspected and found 

to be in satisfactory condition. 

(i) If a vacuum displacement system is 

used for gas-freeing, the facility person 

in charge of the cleaning operation must 

verify the following items: 

(1) The minimum amount of open 

area for air flow on the barge has been 

determined so that the pressure in the 

cargo tank cannot be less than 14.5 

pounds per square inch absolute (psia) 

(¥0.2 pounds per square inch gauge 

(psig)) at the maximum flow capacity of 

the vapor-moving device; 

(2) Any hatch or fitting providing the 

minimum open area has been secured 

open so that accidental closure is not 

possible; and 

(3) The hatch and/or fitting must be 

opened before the pressure in the cargo 

tank falls below 10 percent of the 

highest setting of any of the barge’s 

vacuum relief valves. 

(j) 33 CFR 154.2150(p) and (q) apply 

to a TBCF’s VCS. 

Appendix B to Part 154 [Removed and 

Reserved] 

10. Remove and reserve Appendix B 

to part 154. 

PART 155—OIL OR HAZARDOUS 

MATERIAL POLLUTION PREVENTION 

REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS 

11. The authority citation for part 155 

is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225, 1231, 1321(j), 

1903(b); 46 U.S.C. 3703; E.O. 11735, 3 CFR, 

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65186 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

1971–1975 Comp., p. 793; Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

Section 155.490 also issued under section 

4110(b) of Pub. L. 101–380. 

§ 155.750 [Amended] 

12. In § 155.750(d)— 

a. Remove the citation ‘‘46 CFR 39.30– 

1(d)(1) through (d)(3)’’, wherever it 

appears, and add, in its place, the 

citation ‘‘46 CFR 39.3001(d)(1) through 

(d)(3); 

b. Remove the citation ‘‘46 CFR 39.30– 

1(b)’’, wherever it appears, and add, in 

its place, the citation ‘‘46 CFR 

39.3001(c)’’; and 

c. Remove the citation ‘‘46 CFR 39.30– 

1(h)’’, wherever it appears, and add, in 

its place, the citation ‘‘46 CFR 

39.3001(g)’’. 

PART 156—OIL AND HAZARDOUS 

MATERIAL TRANSFER OPERATIONS 

13. The authority citation for part 156 

is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225, 1231, 1321(j); 

46 U.S.C. 3703, 3703a, 3715; E.O. 11735, 3 

CFR 1971–1975 Comp., p. 793; Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

14. In § 156.120— 

a. Revise paragraph (aa) introductory 

text to read as set out below; 

b. In paragraph (aa)(4), remove the 

word ‘‘loading’’ and add, in its place, the 

word ‘‘transfer’’; 

c. In paragraph (aa)(7) introductory 

text, after the words ‘‘the transfer 

operation’’, add the words ‘‘or in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2150(b)’’; 

d. In paragraph (aa)(7)(ii), remove the 

words ‘‘§ 154.820(a), § 154.824(d) and (e) 

of this chapter’’ and add, in their place, 

the words ‘‘33 CFR 154.2105(a) and (j) 

and 154.2107(d) and (e)’’; 

e. Revise paragraph (aa)(9) to read as 

set out below; 

f. Add paragraphs (aa)(10), (aa)(11), 

and (aa)(12) to read as follows: 

§ 156.120 Requirements for transfer. 

* * * * * 

(aa) A transfer operation which 

includes collection of vapor emitted to 

or from a vessel’s cargo tanks through a 

vapor control system (VCS) not located 

on the vessel must have the following 

verified by the person in charge: 

* * * * * 

(9) The oxygen content in the vapor 

space of each of the vessel’s cargo tanks 

connected to the vapor collection 

system, if inerted, is— 

(i) At or below 60 percent by volume 

of the cargo’s minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion; or 

(ii) At or below 8 percent by volume, 

at the start of cargo transfer, for vapor 

of crude oil, gasoline blends, or 

benzene; 

(10) The freezing point of each cargo 

has been determined. If there is a 

possibility that the ambient air 

temperature during transfer operations 

will be at or below the freezing point of 

the cargo, adequate precautions have 

been taken to prevent freezing of vapor 

or condensate, or to detect and remove 

the liquid condensate and solids to 

prevent accumulation; 

(11) If the cargo has the potential to 

polymerize, adequate precautions have 

been taken to prevent and detect 

polymerization of the cargo vapors; and 

(12) The VCS has been cleaned, in 

accordance with 33 CFR 154.2150(p), 

between transfers of incompatible 

cargoes. 

* * * * * 

15. In § 156.170— 

a. In paragraph (g), after the words 

‘‘collects vapor emitted’’, add the words 

‘‘to or’’; 

b. In paragraph (g)(3), remove the 

words ‘‘and § 154.828(a) of this chapter 

or 46 CFR 39.40–3(d), and each flame 

arrester required by § 154.826(a), 

§ 154.828(a) and (c) of this chapter’’ and 

add, in their place, the words ‘‘33 CFR 

154.2109, 154.2110, and 154.2111 or 46 

CFR 39.4003, and each flame arrester 

required by 33 CFR 154.2105(j)’’; 

c. In paragraph (g)(4), remove the 

words ‘‘§ 154.820(a) and § 154.824(d) 

and (e) of this chapter’’ and add, in their 

place, the words ‘‘33 CFR 154.2105(a) 

and (j), 154.2107(d) and (e), and 

154.2110’’; and 

d. Add new paragraph (i) to read as 

follows: 

§ 156.170 Equipment tests and 

inspections. 

* * * * * 

(i) Upon the request of the owner or 

operator, the Commandant may approve 

alternative methods of compliance to 

the testing and inspection requirements 

of paragraph (g)(3) of this section if the 

Commandant determines that the 

alternative methods provide an 

equivalent level of safety and protection 

from fire, explosion, and detonation. 

Criteria to consider when evaluating 

requests for alternative methods may 

include, but are not limited to: 

Operating and inspection history, type 

of equipment, new technology, and sitespecific conditions that support the 

requested alternative. 

46 CFR—SHIPPING 

PART 35—OPERATIONS 

16. The authority citation for part 35 

is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225, 1231, 1321(j); 

46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; 49 U.S.C. 5103, 

5106; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 

Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 

CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

17. Revise § 35.35–5 to read as 

follows: 

§ 35.35–5 Electrical bonding—TB/ALL. 

A vessel must use an insulating flange 

or one continuous length of 

nonconductive hose between the vessel 

and the shore transfer facility. The 

operator may not use external cables or 

straps to achieve electrical bonding. 

18. In § 35.35–20— 

a. In paragraph (m) introductory text, 

after the words ‘‘collection of cargo 

vapor’’, add the words ‘‘to or’’; 

b. In paragraph (m)(1), after the words 

‘‘vapor to flow to’’, add the words ‘‘or 

from’’; and 

c. Revise paragraph (m)(9) to read as 

follows: 

§ 35.35–20 Inspection before transfer of 

cargo—TB/ALL. 

* * * * * 

(m) * * * 

(9) The oxygen content in the vapor 

space of each of the vessel’s inerted 

cargo tanks connected to the vapor 

collection system is— 

(i) At or below 60 percent by volume 

of the cargo’s minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion at the start 

of cargo transfer; or 

(ii) At or below 8 percent by volume, 

at the start of cargo transfer, for vapor 

of crude oil, gasoline blends, or 

benzene. 

19. In § 35.35–30— 

a. In paragraph (c) introductory text, 

after the words ‘‘collection of cargo 

vapor’’, add the words ‘‘to or’’; 

b. In paragraph (c)(1), after the words 

‘‘vapor to flow to’’, add the words ‘‘or 

from’’; and 

c. Revise paragraph (c)(8) to read as 

follows: 

§ 35.35–30 ‘‘Declaration of Inspection’’ for 

tank vessels—TB/ALL. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(8) Has the oxygen content in the 

vapor space of each of the vessel’s 

inerted cargo tanks connected to the 

vapor collection system been verified to 

be— 

(i) At or below 60 percent by volume, 

at the start of cargo transfer, of the 

cargo’s minimum oxygen concentration 

for combustion; or 

(ii) At or below 8 percent by volume, 

at the start of cargo transfer, for vapor 

of crude oil, gasoline blends, or 

benzene. 

20. Revise part 39 to read as follows: 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 65187 

PART 39—VAPOR CONTROL 

SYSTEMS 

Subpart 39.1000—General 

Sec. 

39.1001 Applicability—TB/ALL. 

39.1003 Definitions—TB/ALL. 

39.1005 Incorporation by reference—TB/ 

ALL. 

39.1009 Additional tank vessel vapor 

processing unit requirements—TB/ALL. 

39.1011 Personnel training requirements— 

TB/ALL. 

39.1013 U.S.-flagged tank vessel 

certification procedures for vapor control 

system designs—TB/ALL. 

39.1015 Foreign-flagged tank vessel 

certification procedures for vapor control 

system designs—TB/ALL. 

39.1017 Additional certification 

procedures for a tank barge vapor 

collection system design—B/ALL. 

Subpart 39.2000—Equipment and 

Installation 

39.2001 Vapor collection system—TB/ALL. 

39.2003 Cargo gauging system—TB/ALL. 

39.2007 Tankship liquid overfill 

protection—T/ALL. 

39.2009 Tank barge liquid overfill 

protection—B/ALL. 

39.2011 Vapor overpressure and vacuum 

protection—TB/ALL. 

39.2013 High and low vapor pressure 

protection for tankships—T/ALL. 

39.2014 Polymerizing cargoes safety— 

TB/ALL. 

39.2015 Tank barge pressure-vacuum 

indicating devices—B/ALL. 

Subpart 39.3000—Vapor Collection 

Operations During Cargo Transfer 

39.3001 Operational requirements for 

vapor control systems during cargo 

transfer—TB/ALL. 

Subpart 39.4000—Vessel-to-Vessel 

Transfers Using Vapor Balancing 

39.4001 General requirements for vapor 

balancing—TB/ALL. 

39.4003 Design and equipment for vapor 

balancing—TB/ALL. 

39.4005 Operational requirements for 

vapor balancing—TB/ALL. 

Subpart 39.5000—Multi-Breasted Loading 

Using a Single Facility Vapor Connection 

39.5001 General requirements for multibreasted loading—B/CLBR. 

39.5003 Additional requirements for multibreasted loading using inboard barge 

vapor collection system—B/CLBR. 

39.5005 Additional requirements for multibreasted loading using a ‘‘dummy’’ vapor 

header—B/CLBR. 

Subpart 39.6000—Tank Barge Cleaning 

Operations With Vapor Collection 

39.6001 Design and equipment of vapor 

collection and stripping systems— 

B/ALL. 

39.6003 Underpressure protection during 

stripping and gas-freeing operations— 

B/ALL. 

39.6005 Inspection prior to conducting gasfreeing operations—B/ALL. 

39.6007 Operational requirements for tank 

barge cleaning—B/ALL. 

39.6009 Barge person in charge: 

Designation and qualifications—B/ALL. 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225, 1231; 42 U.S.C. 

7511b(f)(2); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 3715(b); 

E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., 

p. 277; Department of Homeland Security 

Delegation No. 0170.1. 

Subpart 39.1000—General 

§ 39.1001 Applicability—TB/ALL. 

(a) This part applies to tank vessels 

that use a vapor control system (VCS) to 

collect vapors emitted to or from a 

vessel’s cargo tanks while operating in 

the navigable waters of the United 

States, except— 

(1) Tank vessels with an operating 

vapor collection system approved by the 

Coast Guard prior to July 23, 1990, for 

the collection and transfer of cargo 

vapor to specific facilities. Such tank 

vessels are only subject to 46 CFR 

39.1013, 39.3001, and 39.4005; and 

(2) A tank barge that collects vapors 

emitted from its cargo tanks during gasfreeing or cleaning operations at a 

cleaning facility. This type of tank barge 

is only subject to 46 CFR part 39, 

subparts 39.1000 and 39.6000, and must 

comply with requirements of these two 

subparts at the time of its next 

inspection for certification required by 

46 CFR 31.10–15, but no later than 

[DATE 5 YEARS AFTER EFFECTIVE 

DATE OF FINAL RULE]. 

(b) This part does not apply to the 

collection of vapors of liquefied 

flammable gases as defined in 46 CFR 

30.10–39. 

(c) In this part, regulatory 

measurements, whether in the metric or 

English system, are sometimes followed 

by approximate equivalent 

measurements in parentheses, which are 

given solely for the reader’s 

convenience. Regulatory compliance 

with the regulatory measurement is 

required. 

§ 39.1003 Definitions—TB/ALL. 

As used in this part only: 

Barge vapor connection means the 

point in a barge’s piping system where 

it connects to a vapor collection hose or 

arm. This may be the same as the barge’s 

cargo connection while controlling 

vapors during tank barge cargo tankcleaning operations. 

Cargo deck area means that part of the 

weather deck that is directly over the 

cargo tanks. 

Cargo tank venting system means the 

venting system required by 46 CFR 

32.55. 

Certifying entity means a certifying 

entity accepted by the Coast Guard as 

such pursuant to 33 CFR part 154, 

subpart P. 

Cleaning facility means a facility used 

or capable of being used to conduct 

cleaning operations on a tank barge. 

Cleaning operation means any 

stripping, gas-freeing, or tank-washing 

operation of a barge’s cargo tanks 

conducted at a cleaning facility. 

Commandant means the Commandant 

(CG–522), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd 

St., SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 

20593–7126. 

Facility vapor connection means the 

point in a facility’s fixed vapor 

collection system where the system 

connects with the vapor collection hose 

or the base of the vapor collection arm. 

Fixed stripping line means a pipe 

extending to the low point of each cargo 

tank, which is welded through the deck 

and terminated above deck with a valve, 

and plugged at the open end. 

Flammable liquid means a liquid as 

defined in 46 CFR 30.10–22. 

Fluid displacement system means a 

system that removes vapors from a 

barge’s cargo tanks during gas freeing 

through the addition of an inert gas or 

other medium into the cargo tank. 

Fluid injection connection means the 

point in a fluid displacement system at 

which the fixed piping or hose that 

supplies the inert gas or other medium 

connects to a barge’s cargo tanks or 

fixed piping system. 

Gas freeing means the removal of 

vapors from a tank barge. 

Independent as applied to two 

systems means that one system will 

operate when there is a failure of any 

part of the other system. 

Inerted means the oxygen content of 

the vapor space in a cargo tank is 

reduced in accordance with the inert gas 

requirements of 46 CFR 32.53 or 

153.500. If a cargo vapor in a cargo tank 

that is connected to the vapor collection 

system is defined as inerted at the start 

of cargo transfer, the oxygen content in 

the vapor space of the cargo tank must 

not exceed 60 percent by volume of the 

cargo’s minimum oxygen concentration 

for combustion, or 8 percent by volume 

for vapor of crude oil, gasoline blends, 

or benzene. 

Marine Safety Center (MSC) means 

the Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast 

Guard Marine Safety Center, 2100 2nd 

Street, SW., Stop 7102, Washington, DC 

20593–7102. 

Maximum allowable gas-freeing rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a barge may be gas-freed during 

cleaning operations. 

Maximum allowable stripping rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a barge may be stripped during 

cleaning operations prior to the opening 

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65188 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

of any hatch and/or fitting on the cargo 

tank being stripped. 

Maximum allowable transfer rate 

means the maximum volumetric rate at 

which a vessel may receive cargo or 

ballast. 

Minimum oxygen concentration for 

combustion (MOCC) means the lowest 

level of oxygen in a vapor or vapor 

mixture that will support combustion. 

New vapor collection system means a 

vapor collection system that is not an 

existing vapor collection system. 

Service vessel means a vessel that 

transports bulk liquid cargo between a 

facility and another vessel. 

Set pressure means the pressure at 

which the pressure or vacuum valve 

begins to open and the flow starts 

through the valve. 

Stripping means the removal, to the 

maximum extent practicable, of cargo 

residue remaining in the barge’s cargo 

tanks and associated fixed piping 

system after cargo transfer or during 

cleaning operations. 

Vacuum displacement system means 

a system that removes vapors from a 

barge’s cargo tanks during gas-freeing by 

sweeping air through the cargo tank 

hatch openings. 

Vapor balancing means the transfer of 

vapor displaced by incoming cargo from 

the tank of a vessel or facility receiving 

cargo into a tank of the vessel or facility 

delivering cargo via a vapor collection 

system. 

Vapor collection system means an 

arrangement of piping and hoses used to 

collect vapor emitted to or from a 

vessel’s cargo tanks and to transport the 

vapor to a vapor processing unit or a 

tank. 

Vapor control system (VCS) means an 

arrangement of piping and equipment 

used to control vapor emissions 

collected to or from a vessel. It includes 

the vapor collection system and vapor 

processing unit or a tank. 

Vapor processing unit means the 

components of a VCS that recover, 

destroy, or disperse vapor collected 

from a vessel. 

Vessel-to-vessel transfer (direct or 

through a shore loop) means either— 

(1) The transfer of a bulk liquid cargo 

from a tank vessel to a service vessel; or 

(2) The transfer of a bulk liquid cargo 

from a service vessel to another vessel 

in order to load the receiving vessel to 

a deeper draft. 

Vessel vapor connection means the 

point in a vessel’s fixed vapor collection 

system where the system connects with 

the vapor collection hose or arm. 

§ 39.1005 Incorporation by reference— 

TB/ALL. 

(a) Certain material is incorporated by 

reference into this part with the 

approval of the Director of the Federal 

Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 

1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition 

other than that specified in this section, 

the Coast Guard must publish notice of 

change in the Federal Register and the 

material must be available to the public. 

All approved material is available for 

inspection at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call 202–741–6030 or 

go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_

register/code_of_federal_regulations/

ibr_locations.html. Also, it is available 

for inspection at the Coast Guard, Office 

of Operating and Environmental 

Standards (CG–522) 2100 2nd Street, 

SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593– 

7126, and is available from the sources 

indicated in this section. 

(b) American Petroleum Institute 

(API), 1220 L Street, NW., Washington, 

DC 20005. 

(1) API Standard 2000, Venting 

Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage 

Tanks (Non-refrigerated and 

Refrigerated), Third Edition, January 

1982 (reaffirmed December 1987)(‘‘API 

2000’’), incorporation by reference (IBR) 

approved for 46 CFR 39.2011. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(c) American National Standards 

Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 

4th floor, New York, NY 10036. 

(1) ANSI B16.5, Steel Pipe Flanges 

and Flanged Fittings, 1981, IBR 

approved for 46 CFR 39.2001 and 

39.6001. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(d) American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor 

Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428– 

2959. 

(1) ASTM F1122—Standard 

Specification for Quick Disconnect 

Couplings, 1992, IBR approved for 46 

CFR 39.2001. 

(2) ASTM F1271—Standard 

Specification for Spill Valves for Use in 

Marine Tank Liquid Overpressure 

Protection Applications, December 29, 

1989, IBR approved for 46 CFR 39.2009. 

(e) International Electrotechnical 

Commission (IEC), Bureau Central de la 

Commission Electrotechnique 

Internationale, 3, rue de Varembe ́, P.O. 

Box 131, CH—1211 Geneva 20, 

Switzerland. 

(1) IEC 60309–1—Plugs, SocketOutlets and Couplers for Industrial 

Purposes—Part 1: General 

Requirements, Edition 4.1 2005–12, IBR 

approved for 46 CFR 39.2009. 

(2) IEC 60309–2—Plugs, SocketOutlets and Couplers for Industrial 

Purposes—Part 2: Dimensional 

Interchangeability Requirements for Pin 

and Contact-tube Accessories, Edition 

4.1 2005–12, IBR approved for 46 CFR 

39.2009. 

(f) International Maritime 

Organization (IMO), 4 Albert 

Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United 

Kingdom. 

(1) International Convention for the 

Safety of Life at Sea, Consolidated Text 

of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, the 

1978 SOLAS Protocol, the 1981 and 

1983 SOLAS Amendments (1986) 

(‘‘SOLAS’’), IBR approved for 46 CFR 

39.2001. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(g) National Electrical Manufacturers 

Association (NEMA), 1300 North 17th 

Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209. 

(1) ANSI/NEMA WD–6—Wiring 

Devices, Dimensional Requirements, 

1988 (‘‘NEMA WD–6’’), IBR approved for 

46 CFR 39.2009. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(h) National Fire Protection 

Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch 

Park, Quincy, MA 02169–7471. 

(1) NFPA 70—National Electrical 

Code, 1987, IBR approved for 46 CFR 

39.2009. 

(2) [Reserved] 

(i) Oil Companies International 

Marine Forum (OCIMF), 29 Queen 

Anne’s Gate, London SWIH 9BU, 

England. 

(1) International Safety Guide for Oil 

Tankers and Terminals, Fifth Edition, 

2006 (‘‘ISGOTT’’), IBR approved for 46 

CFR 39.3001, 39.5001, 39.6001, and 

39.6005. 

(2) [Reserved] 

§ 39.1009 Additional tank vessel vapor 

processing unit requirements—TB/ALL. 

(a) Vapor piping, fitting, valves, 

flanges, and pressure vessels comprising 

the construction and installation of a 

permanent or portable vapor processing 

unit onboard a tank vessel must meet 

the marine engineering requirements of 

46 CFR chapter I, subchapter F. 

(b) Electrical equipment comprising 

the construction and installation of a 

permanent or portable vapor processing 

unit onboard a tank vessel must meet 

the electrical engineering requirements 

of 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter J. 

(c) In addition to complying with the 

rules of this part, tank vessels with a 

permanent or portable vapor processing 

unit must meet the requirements of 33 

CFR part 154, subpart P to the 

satisfaction of the Commandant. 

(d) When the requirements of 46 CFR 

chapter I, subchapters F and J, conflict 

with 33 CFR part 154, subpart P, the 

requirements of 46 CFR chapter I, 

subchapters F and J apply, unless 

specifically authorized by the Marine 

Safety Center. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 65189 

§ 39.1011 Personnel training 

requirements—TB/ALL. 

Personnel responsible for operating 

the vapor control system (VCS) must 

complete a training program prior to the 

operation of the system installed 

onboard the tank vessel. As part of the 

training program, personnel must be 

able to demonstrate, through drills and 

practical knowledge, the proper VCS 

operation procedures for normal and 

emergency conditions. The training 

program must cover the following 

subjects: 

(a) Purpose of a VCS; 

(b) Principles of the VCS; 

(c) Components of the VCS; 

(d) Hazards associated with the VCS; 

(e) Coast Guard regulations in this 

part; 

(f) Vapor control operation procedures 

during cargo transfer or tank barge 

cleaning, including: 

(1) Testing and inspection 

requirements; 

(2) Pre-transfer or pre-cleaning 

procedures; 

(3) Connection sequence; 

(4) Startup procedures; and 

(5) Normal operations; and 

(g) Emergency procedures. 

§ 39.1013 U.S.-flagged tank vessel 

certification procedures for vapor control 

system designs—TB/ALL. 

(a) For an existing Coast Guardapproved vapor control system (VCS) 

that has been operating before July 23, 

1990, the tank vessel owner or operator 

must submit detailed engineering 

drawings, calculations, and 

specifications to the Marine Safety 

Center (MSC) for review and approval 

before modifying the system or 

transferring vapor to a facility that was 

not approved by the Coast Guard for 

that kind of vapor transfer. 

(b) For a Coast Guard-approved VCS 

that has been operating since July 23, 

1990, the tank vessel owner or operator 

must submit plans, calculations, and 

specifications to the MSC for review and 

approval before modifying the system. 

(c) A tank vessel owner or operator 

must submit plans, calculations, and 

specifications for a new tank vessel VCS 

to the MSC for review and approval 

before installing the system. A 

permanent or portable vapor processing 

unit onboard a tank vessel will be 

reviewed, together with the tank vessel, 

as a complete and integrated system. 

(d) Once the plan review and 

inspection of the tank vessel VCS satisfy 

the requirements of this part, the Officer 

in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) 

will endorse the Certificate of 

Inspection for the U.S.-flagged tank 

vessel. 

§ 39.1015 Foreign-flagged tank vessel 

certification procedures for vapor control 

system designs—TB/ALL. 

As an alternative to meeting the 

requirements in 33 CFR 39.1013(a), (b), 

and (c), the owner or operator of a 

foreign-flagged tank vessel may submit 

certification by the classification society 

that classifies vessels under their foreign 

flags to the Marine Safety Center. Upon 

receipt of the certification stating that 

the vapor control system (VCS) meets 

the requirements of this part, the Officer 

in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) 

will endorse the vessel’s Certificate of 

Compliance for foreign-flagged tank 

vessels. 

§ 39.1017 Additional certification 

procedures for a tank barge vapor 

collection system design—B/ALL. 

(a) For a tank barge vapor collection 

system intended for operation in multibreasted loading using a single facility 

vapor connection, the tank barge owner 

or operator must submit plans, 

calculations, and specifications to the 

Marine Safety Center (MSC) for review 

and approval before beginning a multibreasted loading operation. 

(b) For a tank barge intended for 

collecting vapors emitted from its cargo 

tanks during gas-freeing or cleaning 

operations at a cleaning facility, the 

barge owner or operator must submit the 

following items to the MSC for review 

and approval: 

(1) Stripping system plans and 

specifications; and 

(2) Stripping and/or gas-freeing rate 

calculations. 

(c) Once the vapor collection system 

satisfies the requirements of this part, 

the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection 

(OCMI) will endorse the Certificate of 

Inspection that the tank barge is 

acceptable for collecting vapors during 

cleaning operations. 

Subpart 39.2000—Equipment and 

Installation 

§ 39.2001 Vapor collection system—TB/ 

ALL. 

(a) Vapor collection piping must be 

fixed piping and the vessel’s vapor 

connection must be located as close as 

practicable to the loading manifold, 

except— 

(1) As allowed by the Commandant; 

and 

(2) A vessel certificated to carry cargo 

listed in 46 CFR, part 151, Table 151.05 

or part 153, Table 1 may use flexible 

hoses no longer than three meters (9.84 

feet) for interconnection between fixed 

piping onboard the vessel to preserve 

segregation of cargo systems. These 

flexible hoses must also meet the 

requirements in paragraph (i) of this 

section, excluding paragraph (i)(5), and 

meet the following additional 

requirements: 

(i) The installation of flexible hoses 

must include an isolation valve 

mounted on the tank side of the 

connection; and 

(ii) Hose connections permitted under 

paragraph (a)(2) of this section are 

exempt from the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of this section. 

(b) When collecting incompatible 

vapors simultaneously, vapors must be 

kept separate throughout the entire 

vapor collection system. 

(c) Vapor collection piping must be 

electrically bonded to the hull and must 

be electrically continuous. 

(d) The vapor collection system must 

have a mechanism to eliminate liquid 

condensation, such as draining and 

collecting liquid from each low point in 

the line. 

(e) For a tankship that has an inert gas 

system, a mechanism must be in place 

to isolate the inert gas supply from the 

vapor control system (VCS). The inert 

gas main isolation valve required by 

chapter II–2, Regulation 62.10.8 of 

SOLAS (incorporated by reference, see 

46 CFR 39.1005), may be used to satisfy 

this requirement. 

(f) The vapor collection system must 

not interfere with the proper operation 

of the cargo tank venting system. 

(g) The tank vessel owner or operator 

must install an isolation valve capable 

of manual operation. It must be located 

at the vessel vapor connection and must 

clearly show whether the valve is in the 

open or closed position via an indicator, 

valve handle, or valve stem. 

(h) The last 1.0 meter (3.3 feet) of 

vapor piping upstream of the vessel 

vapor connection and each end of a 

vapor hose must be— 

(1) Painted in the sequence of red/ 

yellow/red. The width of the red bands 

must be 0.1 meter (0.33 foot) and the 

width of the middle yellow band must 

be 0.8 meter (2.64 feet); and 

(2) Labeled with the word ‘‘VAPOR’’ 

painted in black letters at least 50.8 

millimeters (2 inches) high. 

(i) Hoses that transfer vapors must 

meet the following requirements: 

(1) Have a design burst pressure of at 

least 25 pounds per square inch gauge 

(psig); 

(2) Have a maximum allowable 

working pressure no less than 5 psig; 

(3) Be capable of withstanding at least 

a 2.0 pounds per square inch (psi) 

vacuum without collapsing or 

constricting; 

(4) Be electrically continuous with a 

maximum resistance of 10,000 ohms; 

(5) Have flanges with— 

(i) A bolthole arrangement complying 

with the requirements for 150 pound 

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class ANSI B16.5 flanges (incorporated 

by reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005); and 

(ii) One or more 15.9 millimeter 

(0.625 inch) diameter hole(s) located 

midway between boltholes and in line 

with the bolthole pattern; and 

(6) Be abrasion and kinking resistant. 

(j) Each vessel vapor connection 

flange face must have a permanent stud 

projecting outward that has a 12.7 

millimeter (0.5 inch) diameter and is at 

least 25.4 millimeters (1 inch) long. It 

must be located at the top of the flange 

face, midway between boltholes, and in 

line with the bolthole pattern. 

(k) Quick disconnect couplings 

(QDCs) may be used instead of flanges 

at the flexible hose connection and fixed 

piping on tankships provided they meet 

ASTM F1122 (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005) and are 

designed as ‘‘Standard Class QDC.’’ 

(l) Hose saddles that provide adequate 

support to prevent kinking or collapse 

of hoses must accompany vapor hose 

handling equipment. 

(m) For cargoes that have toxic 

properties, listed in 46 CFR Table 

151.05 with the ‘‘Special requirements’’ 

column referring to 46 CFR 151.50–5, an 

overfill alarm and shutdown system that 

meet the requirements of 46 CFR 

39.2007(a), 39.2009(a), or 39.2009(b) 

must be used for primary overfill 

protection. If the vessel is also equipped 

with spill valves or rupture disks, their 

setpoints must be set higher than the 

vessel’s pressure relief valve setting as 

required by 46 CFR 39.2009(c)(1). 

§ 39.2003 Cargo gauging system—TB/ALL. 

(a) A cargo tank of the tank vessel 

connected to a vapor collection system 

must be equipped with a permanent or 

portable cargo gauging device that— 

(1) Is a closed type as defined in 46 

CFR 151.15.10(c) that does not require 

opening the tank to the atmosphere 

during cargo transfer; 

(2) Allows the operator to determine 

the level of liquid in the tank for the full 

range of liquid levels in the tank; 

(3) Has an indicator for the level of 

liquid in the tank that is located where 

cargo transfer is controlled; and 

(4) If portable, is installed on the tank 

during the entire transfer operation. 

(b) Each cargo tank of a tank barge 

must have a high-level indicating 

device, unless the barge complies with 

46 CFR 39.2009(a). The high-level 

indicating device must— 

(1) Indicate visually the level of liquid 

in the cargo tank when the liquid level 

is within a range of 1 meter (3.28 feet) 

of the top of the tank; 

(2) Show a permanent mark to 

indicate the maximum liquid level 

permitted under 46 CFR 39.3001(e) at 

even keel conditions; and 

(3) Be visible from all cargo control 

areas. 

§ 39.2007 Tankship liquid overfill 

protection—T/ALL. 

(a) Each cargo tank of a tankship must 

be equipped with an intrinsically safe 

high-level alarm and a tank overfill 

alarm. 

(b) If installed after July 23, 1990, the 

high-level alarm and tank overfill alarm 

required by paragraph (a) of this section 

must— 

(1) Be independent of each other; 

(2) Activate an alarm in the event of 

loss of power to the alarm system; 

(3) Activate an alarm during the 

failure of electrical circuitry to the tank 

level sensor; and 

(4) Be able to be inspected at the tank 

for proper operation prior to each 

transfer. This procedure may be 

achieved with the use of an electronic 

self-testing feature that monitors the 

condition of the alarm circuitry and 

sensor. 

(c) The high-level alarm required by 

paragraph (a) of this section must— 

(1) Activate an alarm once the cargo 

level reaches 95 percent of the tank 

capacity or higher, but before the tank 

overfill alarm; 

(2) Be identified with the legend 

‘‘High-level Alarm’’ in black letters at 

least 50.8 millimeters (2 inches) high on 

a white background; and 

(3) Activate a visible and audible 

alarm so that it can be seen and heard 

on the vessel where cargo transfer is 

controlled. 

(d) The tank overfill alarm required by 

paragraph (a) of this section must— 

(1) Be independent of the cargo 

gauging system; 

(2) Be identified with the legend 

‘‘TANK OVERFILL ALARM’’ in black 

letters at least 50.8 millimeters (2 

inches) high on a white background; 

(3) Activate a visible and audible 

alarm so that it can be seen and heard 

on the vessel where cargo transfer is 

controlled and in the cargo deck area; 

and 

(4) Activate an alarm early enough to 

allow the person in charge of transfer 

operations to stop the cargo transfer 

before the tank overflows. 

(e) If a spill valve is installed on a 

cargo tank fitted with a vapor collection 

system, it must meet the requirements of 

46 CFR 39.2009(c). 

(f) If a rupture disk is installed on a 

cargo tank fitted with a vapor collection 

system, it must meet the requirements of 

46 CFR 39.2009(d). 

§ 39.2009 Tank barge liquid overfill 

protection—B/ALL. 

(a) Each cargo tank of a tank barge 

must have one of the following liquid 

overfill protection arrangements: 

(1) A system meeting the 

requirements of 46 CFR 39.2007 that— 

(i) Includes a self-contained power 

supply; 

(ii) Is powered by generators on the 

barge; or 

(iii) Receives power from a facility 

and is fitted with a shore tie cable and 

a 120-volt, 20-ampere explosion-proof 

plug that meets— 

(A) NEMA WD–6 (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005); 

(B) NFPA 70, Articles 410–57 and 

501–12 (incorporated by reference, see 

46 CFR 39.1005); and 

(C) 46 CFR 111.105–9; 

(2) An intrinsically safe overfill 

control system that— 

(i) Is independent of the cargo-gauging 

device required by 46 CFR 39.2003(a); 

(ii) Activates an alarm and automatic 

shutdown system at the facility overfill 

control panel 60 seconds before the tank 

is 100 percent liquid-full during a 

facility-to-vessel cargo transfer; 

(iii) Activates an alarm and automatic 

shutdown system on the vessel 

receiving cargo 60 seconds before the 

tank is 100 percent liquid-full during a 

vessel-to-vessel cargo transfer; 

(iv) Can be inspected at the tank for 

proper operation prior to each loading; 

(v) Consists of components that, 

individually or in series, will not 

generate or store a total of more than 1.2 

volts (V), 0.1 amperes (A), 25 megawatts 

(MW), or 20 microJoules (μJ); 

(vi) Has at least one tank overfill 

sensor switch per cargo tank that is 

designed to activate an alarm when its 

normally closed contacts are open; 

(vii) Has all tank overfill sensor 

switches connected in series; 

(viii) Has interconnecting cabling that 

meets 46 CFR 111.105–11(b) and (d), 

and 46 CFR 111.105–17(a); and 

(ix) Has a male plug with a five-wire, 

16–A connector body meeting IEC 

60309–1 and IEC 60309–2 (both 

incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 

39.1005), that is— 

(A) Configured with pins S2 and R1 

for the tank overfill sensor circuit, pin 

G connected to the cabling shield, and 

pins N and T3 reserved for an optional 

high-level alarm circuit meeting the 

requirements of this paragraph; and 

(B) Labeled ‘‘Connector for Barge 

Overflow Control System’’ and labeled 

with the total inductance and 

capacitance of the connected switches 

and cabling; 

(3) A spill valve that meets ASTM 

F1271 requirements (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005), and— 

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(i) Relieves at a predetermined 

pressure higher than the pressure at 

which the pressure relief valves meeting 

the requirements of 46 CFR 39.2011 

operate; 

(ii) Limits the maximum pressure at 

the top of the cargo tank during liquid 

overfill to not more than the maximum 

design working pressure for the tank 

when at the maximum loading rate for 

the tank; and 

(iii) Has a means to prevent opening 

due to cargo sloshing while the vessel 

is in ocean or coastwise service; or 

(4) A rupture disk arrangement that 

meets paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (a)(3)(ii), and 

(a)(3)(iii) of this section and is approved 

by the Commandant. 

(b) A tank barge authorized to carry a 

cargo having toxic properties, meaning 

they are listed in 46 CFR Table 151.05 

with the ‘‘Special requirements’’ column 

referring to 46 CFR 151.50–5, must 

comply with the requirements of 46 CFR 

39.2001(l). 

§ 39.2011 Vapor overpressure and vacuum 

protection—TB/ALL. 

(a) The cargo tank venting system 

required by 46 CFR 32.55 must— 

(1) Be capable of discharging cargo 

vapor at the maximum transfer rate plus 

the vapor growth for the cargo such that 

the pressure in the vapor space of each 

tank connected to the vapor control 

system (VCS) does not exceed— 

(i) The maximum design working 

pressure for the tank; or 

(ii) If a spill valve or rupture disk is 

fitted, the pressure at which the device 

operates; 

(2) Relieve at a pressure 

corresponding to a pressure in the cargo 

tank vapor space not less than 1.0 

pounds per square inch gauge (psig); 

(3) Prevent a vacuum, which 

generates in any tank connected to the 

vapor collection system during the 

withdrawal of cargo or vapor at 

maximum rates, in a cargo tank vapor 

space from exceeding the maximum 

design vacuum; and 

(4) Not relieve at a vacuum 

corresponding to a vacuum in the cargo 

tank vapor space between 14.7 pounds 

per square inch absolute (psia) (0 psig) 

and 14.2 psia (¥0.5 psig). 

(b) Each pressure-vacuum relief valve 

must— 

(1) Be of a type approved under 46 

CFR 162.017, for the pressure and 

vacuum relief setting desired; 

(2) Be tested for venting capacity in 

accordance with paragraph 1.5.1.3 of 

API 2000 (incorporated by reference, see 

46 CFR 39.1005). The test must be 

carried out with a flame screen fitted at 

the vacuum relief opening and at the 

discharge opening if the pressurevacuum relief valve is not designed to 

ensure a minimum vapor discharge 

velocity of 30 meters (98.4 feet) per 

second; and 

(3) If installed after July 23, 1991, 

have a mechanism to check that it 

operates freely and does not remain in 

the open position. 

(c) A liquid filled pressure-vacuum 

breaker may be used for vapor 

overpressure and vacuum protection 

subject to Commandant approval. 

(d) Vapor growth must be calculated 

using a method approved by the Marine 

Safety Center. 

§ 39.2013 High and low vapor pressure 

protection for tankships—T/ALL. 

Each tankship with a vapor collection 

system must be fitted with a pressuresensing device, located as close as 

practicable to the vessel vapor 

connection, that measures the pressure 

in the main vapor collection line, 

which— 

(a) Has a pressure indicator located on 

the tankship where the cargo transfer is 

controlled; and 

(b) Has a high-pressure and a lowpressure alarm that— 

(1) Gives an audible and a visible 

warning on the vessel where the cargo 

transfer is controlled; 

(2) Activates an alarm when the 

pressure-sensing device measures a high 

pressure of not more than 90 percent of 

the lowest pressure relief valve setting 

in the cargo tank venting system; and 

(3) Activates an alarm when the 

pressure-sensing device measures a low 

pressure of not less than 0.144 pounds 

per square inch gauge (psig) for an 

inerted tankship, or the lowest vacuum 

relief valve setting in the cargo tank 

venting system for a non-inerted 

tankship. 

§ 39.2014 Polymerizing cargoes safety— 

TB/ALL. 

(a) Common vapor headers for 

polymerizing cargoes must be 

constructed with adequate means to 

permit internal examination of vent 

headers. 

(b) Vapor piping systems and 

pressure-vacuum valves that are used 

for polymerizing cargoes must be 

inspected internally at least annually. 

(c) Pressure-vacuum valves and spill 

valves which are used for polymerizing 

cargoes must be tested for proper 

movement prior to each transfer. 

§ 39.2015 Tank barge pressure-vacuum 

indicating device—B/ALL. 

A fixed pressure-indicating device 

must be installed as close as practicable 

to the vessel vapor connection on a tank 

barge with a vapor collection system. 

The indicating device must measure the 

pressure vacuum in the main vapor 

collection line and have a pressure 

indicator located where the cargo 

transfer is controlled. 

Subpart 39.3000—Vapor Collection 

Operations During Cargo Transfer 

§ 39.3001 Operational requirements for 

vapor control systems during cargo 

transfer—TB/ALL. 

(a) Vapor from a tank vessel may not 

be transferred to a facility in the United 

States, or vapor from a facility storage 

tank may not be transferred to a tank 

vessel, unless the facility’s marine vapor 

control system (VCS) is certified by a 

certifying entity as meeting the 

requirements of 33 CFR part 154, 

subpart P and the facility’s facility 

operations manual is marked by the 

local Coast Guard Captain of the Port 

(COTP) as required by 33 CFR 

154.325(d). 

(b) Vapor from a tank vessel may not 

be transferred to a vessel that does not 

have its certificate of inspection or 

certificate of compliance endorsed as 

meeting the requirements of this part 

and for controlling vapor of the cargo 

being transferred. 

(c) For each cargo transferred using a 

vapor collection system, the pressure 

drop through the vapor collection 

system from the most remote cargo tank 

to the vessel vapor connection, 

including vapor hoses if used by the 

vessel, must be— 

(1) Calculated at the maximum 

transfer rate and at lesser transfer rates; 

(2) Calculated using a density 

estimate for the cargo vapor and air 

mixture, or vapor and inert gas mixture, 

based on a partial pressure (partial 

molar volumes) method for the mixture, 

assuming ideal gas law conditions; 

(3) Calculated using a vapor growth 

rate as stated in 46 CFR 39.2011(d) for 

the cargo being transferred; and 

(4) Included in the vessel’s transfer 

procedures as a table or graph, showing 

the liquid transfer rate versus the 

pressure drop. 

(d) The rate of cargo transfer must not 

exceed the maximum allowable transfer 

rate as determined by the lesser of the 

following: 

(1) 80 percent of the total venting 

capacity of the pressure relief valves in 

the cargo tank venting system when 

relieving at the set pressure; 

(2) The total vacuum relieving 

capacity of the vacuum relief valves in 

the cargo tank venting system when 

relieving at the set pressure; and 

(3) For a given pressure at the facility 

vapor connection, or if vessel-to-vessel 

transfer at the vapor connection of the 

service vessel, then the rate based on 

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pressure drop calculations at which the 

pressure in any cargo tank connected to 

the vapor collection system exceeds 80 

percent of the setting of any pressure 

relief valve in the cargo tank venting 

system. 

(e) Cargo tanks must not be filled 

higher than— 

(1) 98.5 percent of the cargo tank 

volume; or 

(2) The level at which an overfill 

alarm complying with 46 CFR 39.2007 

or 39.2009(a)(2) is set. 

(f) A cargo tank should remain sealed 

from the atmosphere during cargo 

transfer operations. The cargo tank may 

only be opened temporarily for gauging 

or sampling while the tank vessel is 

connected to a VCS as long as the 

following conditions are met: 

(1) The cargo tank is not being filled 

or no vapor is being transferred into the 

cargo tank; 

(2) For cargo loading, any pressure in 

the cargo tank vapor space is first 

reduced to atmospheric pressure by the 

VCS, except when the tank is inerted; 

(3) The cargo is not required to be 

closed or restricted gauged by 46 CFR 

part 151, Table 151.05 or part 153, Table 

1; and 

(4) For static accumulating cargo, all 

metallic equipment used in sampling or 

gauging must be electrically bonded to 

the vessel and remain bonded to the 

vessel until it is removed from the tank, 

and if the tank is not inerted, 30 

minutes must have elapsed after any 

cargo transfer to the tank is stopped, 

before the equipment is put into the 

tank. 

(g) For static accumulating cargo, the 

initial transfer rate must be controlled in 

accordance with OCIMF ISGOTT 

Section 11.1.7 (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005), in order 

to minimize the development of a static 

electrical charge. 

(h) If cargo vapor is collected by a 

facility that requires the vapor from the 

vessel to be inerted in accordance with 

33 CFR 154.2105, the oxygen content in 

the vapor space of each cargo tank 

connected to the vapor collection 

system must not exceed 60 percent by 

volume of the cargo’s minimum oxygen 

concentration for combustion (MOCC), 

or 8 percent by volume for vapor of 

crude oil, gasoline blends, or benzene, 

at the start of cargo transfer. The oxygen 

content of each tank, or each area of a 

tank formed by each partial bulkhead, 

must be measured at a point 1.0 meter 

(3.28 feet) below the tank top and at a 

point equal to one-half of the ullage. 

(i) If the vessel is equipped with an 

inert gas system, the isolation valve 

required by 46 CFR 39.2001(e) must 

remain closed during vapor transfer. 

(j) Unless equipped with an automatic 

self-test and circuit-monitoring feature, 

each high-level alarm and tank overfill 

alarm on a cargo tank being loaded, 

required by 46 CFR 39.2007 or 39.2009, 

must be tested at the tank for proper 

operation within 24 hours prior to the 

start of cargo transfer. 

Subpart 39.4000—Vessel-to-Vessel 

Transfers Using Vapor Balancing 

§ 39.4001 General requirements for vapor 

balancing—TB/ALL. 

(a) Vessels using vapor balancing 

while conducting a vessel-to-vessel 

transfer operation, directly or through a 

shore loop, must meet the requirements 

of this subpart in addition to the 

requirements of 46 CFR part 39, 

subparts 39.1000, 39.2000, and 39.3000. 

Arrangements other than vapor 

balancing used to control vapor 

emissions during a vessel-to-vessel 

transfer operation must receive approval 

from the Commandant. 

(b) A vapor balancing operation must 

receive approval from the Commandant 

to use a compressor or blower to assist 

vapor transfer. 

(c) Vapor balancing is prohibited 

when the cargo tanks on a vessel 

discharging cargo are inerted and the 

cargo tanks on a vessel receiving cargo 

are not inerted. 

(d) A vessel that intends to collect 

vapors (during a vessel-to-vessel transfer 

operation) from cargoes not previously 

approved must receive specific approval 

from the Commandant before beginning 

transfer operations. 

§ 39.4003 Design and equipment for vapor 

balancing—TB/ALL. 

(a) During transfer operations, if the 

cargo tanks are inerted on a vessel 

discharging cargo to a receiving vessel 

with inerted cargo tanks, the service 

vessel must— 

(1) Inert the vapor transfer hose prior 

to transferring cargo vapor; and 

(2) Have an oxygen analyzer with a 

sensor or sampling connection fitted 

within 3 meters (9.74 feet) of the vessel 

vapor connection that— 

(i) Activates a visible and an audible 

alarm on the service vessel where cargo 

transfer is controlled when the oxygen 

content in the vapor collection system 

exceeds 60 percent by volume of the 

cargo’s minimum oxygen concentration 

for combustion (MOCC), or 8 percent by 

volume for vapor of crude oil, gasoline 

blends, or benzene; 

(ii) Has an oxygen concentration 

indicator located on the service vessel 

where the cargo transfer is controlled; 

and 

(iii) Has a connection for injecting a 

span gas of known concentration for 

calibration and testing of the oxygen 

analyzer. 

(b) If the cargo tanks are not inerted 

on a vessel discharging cargo during 

transfer operations, and the cargo is 

flammable or combustible, the vapor 

collection line on the service vessel 

must be fitted with a detonation arrester 

that meets the requirements of 33 CFR 

154.2106, and be located within 3 

meters (9.74 feet) of the vessel vapor 

connection. 

(c) An electrical insulating flange or 

one length of non-conductive hose must 

be provided between the vessel vapor 

connection on each vessel operating a 

vessel-to-vessel cargo transfer. 

§ 39.4005 Operational requirements for 

vapor balancing—TB/ALL. 

(a) During a vessel-to-vessel transfer 

operation, each cargo tank being loaded 

must be connected by the vapor 

collection system to a cargo tank that is 

being discharged. 

(b) If the cargo tanks on both the 

vessel discharging cargo and the vessel 

receiving cargo are inerted, the 

following requirements must be met: 

(1) Each tank on a vessel receiving 

cargo, which is connected to the vapor 

collection system, must be tested prior 

to cargo transfer to ensure that the 

oxygen content in the vapor space does 

not exceed 60 percent by volume of the 

cargo’s minimum oxygen concentration 

for combustion (MOCC), or 8 percent by 

volume for vapor of crude oil, gasoline 

blends, or benzene. The oxygen content 

of each tank, or each area of a tank 

formed by each partial bulkhead, must 

be measured at a point 1 meter (3.28 

feet) below the tank top and at a point 

equal to one-half of the ullage; 

(2) Prior to starting transfer 

operations, the oxygen analyzer 

required by 46 CFR 39.4003(a) must be 

tested for proper operation; 

(3) During transfer operations the 

oxygen content of vapors being 

transferred must be continuously 

monitored; 

(4) Cargo transfer must be terminated 

if the oxygen content exceeds 60 percent 

by volume of the cargo’s MOCC, or 8 

percent by volume for vapor of crude 

oil, gasoline blends, or benzene; 

(5) Transfer operations may resume 

once the oxygen content in the tanks of 

the vessel receiving cargo is reduced to 

60 percent by volume or less of the 

cargo’s MOCC, or 8 percent by volume 

or less for vapor of crude oil, gasoline 

blends, or benzene; and 

(6) Prior to starting vapor transfer 

operations, the vapor transfer hose must 

be purged of air and inerted. 

(c) The isolation valve located on the 

service vessel required by 46 CFR 

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39.2001(g) must not be opened until the 

pressure in the vapor collection system 

on the vessel receiving cargo exceeds 

the pressure in the vapor collection 

system on the vessel discharging cargo. 

(d) The vessel discharging cargo must 

control the cargo transfer rate so that the 

transfer rate does not exceed— 

(1) The authorized maximum 

discharge rate of the vessel discharging 

cargo; 

(2) The authorized maximum loading 

rate of the vessel receiving cargo; or 

(3) The processing rate of the 

approved vessel vapor processing 

system, if one is used to process the 

vapor collected during the transfer 

operations. 

(e) The pressure in the vapor space of 

any cargo tank connected to the vapor 

collection line on either the vessel 

receiving cargo or the vessel discharging 

cargo must not exceed 80 percent of the 

lowest setting of any pressure relief 

valve during ballasting or cargo transfer. 

(f) Impressed current cathodic 

protection systems must be de-energized 

during cargo transfer operations. 

(g) Tank washing is prohibited unless 

the cargo tanks on both the vessel 

discharging cargo and the vessel 

receiving cargo are inerted, or the tank 

is isolated from the vapor collection 

line. 

Subpart 39.5000—Multi-breasted 

Loading Using a Single Facility Vapor 

Connection 

§ 39.5001 General requirements for multibreasted loading—B/CLBR. 

(a) Each barge must be owned and 

operated by the same entity and must 

have an approved vapor control system 

(VCS). 

(b) The crossover vapor hose must— 

(1) Be marked in accordance with 46 

CFR 39.2001(h); 

(2) Meet the qualifications of 46 CFR 

39.2001(i); 

(3) Not extend more than 7.62 meters 

(25 feet) between two barges during 

transfer operations; and 

(4) Have a diameter at least as large as 

the diameter of the largest pipe in the 

VCS on the outboard barge. 

(c) The hazards associated with bargeto-barge or barge-to-shore electric 

currents must be controlled in 

accordance with sections 11.9 or 17.5 of 

OCIMF ISGOTT (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005). 

(d) The cargo transfer procedures 

must reflect the procedures to align and 

disconnect a facility VCS to and from an 

inboard barge, and alternately, to and 

from an outboard barge through the 

vapor cross-over hose and the inboard 

barge’s vapor header, or ‘‘dummy’’ 

header. This must include proper 

connections for the facility VCS’s alarm/ 

shutdown system to the alarm/ 

shutdown system of the barge being 

loaded at the time. 

(e) Barge owners and operators must 

comply with any additional operational 

requirements imposed by the local 

Captain of the Port (COTP) in whose 

zone the shore facility is located. The 

barge owner or operator must identify 

the specific facilities at which a multibreasted loading operation will be 

conducted and provide the 

Commandant with a list of these 

facilities. These facilities must be 

certified for conducting such an 

operation. 

§ 39.5003 Additional requirements for 

multi-breasted loading using an inboard 

barge vapor collection system—B/CLBR. 

(a) Each barge must have at least one 

liquid overfill protection system that 

fulfills the requirements of 46 CFR 

39.2009. 

(b) The vapor header of an inboard 

barge that is used during outboard barge 

loading must— 

(1) Be aligned with the vapor header 

of the outboard barge; 

(2) Have a diameter at least as large as 

the diameter of the largest pipe in the 

vapor collection system of the outboard 

barge; and 

(3) Be marked in accordance with 46 

CFR 39.2001(h). 

(c) A licensed tankerman, trained in 

and familiar with multi-breasted loading 

operations, must be onboard each barge 

during transfer operations. The 

tankerman serves as the barge person-incharge (PIC). During transfer operations, 

the barge PICs must maintain constant 

communication with each other as well 

as with the facility PIC. 

(d) If multi-breasted loading will be 

conducted using more than one liquid 

transfer hose from the shore facility, the 

facility must be capable of activating the 

emergency shutdown system required 

by 33 CFR 154.550. This will 

automatically stop the cargo flow to 

each transfer hose simultaneously, in 

the event an upset condition occurs that 

closes the remotely operated cargo 

vapor shutoff valve in the facility’s 

vapor control system. Multi-breasted 

loading is prohibited unless the shore 

facility can comply with this 

requirement. 

§ 39.5005 Additional requirements for 

multi-breasted loading using a ‘‘dummy’’ 

vapor header–B/CLBR. 

(a) Each inboard barge ‘‘dummy’’ 

header used during outboard barge 

loading must— 

(1) Be aligned with the vapor header 

of the outboard barge; 

(2) Have a diameter at least as large as 

the diameter of the largest pipe in the 

vapor collection system of the outboard 

barge; 

(3) Be marked in accordance with 46 

CFR 39.2001(h); and 

(4) Meet the same design and 

installation requirements for the vapor 

collection piping onboard the same 

barge. 

(b) Flanges must meet the same design 

and installation requirements for flanges 

in the vapor collection system onboard 

the same barge. 

(c) A stud must be permanently 

attached, as required in 46 CFR 

39.2001(j), to the vapor connection 

flange on the ‘‘dummy’’ header. 

Subpart 39.6000—Tank Barge Cleaning 

Operations with Vapor Collection 

§ 39.6001 Design and equipment of vapor 

collection and stripping systems—B/ALL. 

(a) Each barge engaged in cleaning 

operations at an approved cleaning 

facility must have a conductive fixed 

stripping line installed in each cargo 

tank. The line must extend to the low 

point of each cargo tank, extend through 

and be welded to the top of the cargo 

tank, and terminate above deck with a 

full port valve plugged at the open end. 

(b) An existing fixed stripping system 

may be used instead of the stripping 

line required in paragraph (a) of this 

section. 

(c) Each stripping line must be labeled 

at an on-deck location with the words 

‘‘Stripping Line-Tank,’’ followed by the 

tank’s number, name, or location. 

(d) Vapors may be collected from the 

barge’s cargo tanks through a common 

fixed vapor header, through the fixed 

liquid cargo header, or through flanged 

flexible hoses located at the top of each 

cargo tank. 

(e) The vapor collection system must 

not interfere with the proper operation 

of the cargo tank venting system. 

(f) A barge being gas-freed by a fluid 

displacement system must fulfill the 

following requirements: 

(1) If the fluid medium is a 

compressible fluid, such as inert gas, it 

must be injected into the barge’s cargo 

tanks through a common fixed vapor 

header, through the fixed liquid cargo 

header, or through flanged flexible 

hoses located at the top of each cargo 

tank; 

(2) If the fluid medium is a noncompressible fluid, such as water, it 

must be injected into the barge’s cargo 

tanks through the fixed liquid cargo 

header only; and 

(3) If the fluid medium is a noncompressible fluid, such as water, the 

barge must be equipped with a liquid 

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65194 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

overfill protection arrangement and 

fulfill the requirements for tank barge 

liquid overfill protection contained in 

46 CFR 39.2009. 

(g) The barge vapor connection must 

be electrically insulated from the facility 

vapor connection and the fluid injection 

connection must be electrically 

insulated from the fluid injection 

source, if fitted, in accordance with 

OCIMF ISGOTT section 17.5 

(incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 

39.1005). 

(h) Vapor collection piping must be 

electrically bonded to the barge hull and 

must be electrically continuous. 

(i) All equipment used on the barge 

during cleaning operations must be 

electrically bonded to the barge and 

tested to ensure electrical continuity 

prior to each use. 

(j) Hoses used for the transfer of 

vapors during cleaning operations must 

meet the requirements of 46 CFR 

39.2001(i) and have markings as 

required in 46 CFR 39.2001(h). 

(k) Hoses used for the transfer of 

liquids during cleaning operations 

must— 

(1) Have a designed burst pressure of 

at least 600 pounds per square inch 

gauge (psig); 

(2) Have a maximum allowable 

working pressure of at least 150 psig; 

(3) Be capable of withstanding at least 

the maximum vacuum rating of the 

cleaning facility’s vapor-moving device 

without collapsing or constricting; 

(4) Be electrically continuous with a 

maximum resistance of 10,000 ohms; 

(5) Have flanges with a bolthole 

arrangement complying with the 

requirements for 150 pound class ANSI 

B16.5 flanges (incorporated by 

reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005); and 

(6) Be abrasion and kinking resistant 

and compatible with the liquids being 

transferred. 

(l) If a hose is used to transfer either 

vapor or liquid from the barge during 

cleaning operations, hose saddles that 

provide adequate support to prevent the 

collapse or kinking of hoses must 

accompany hose handling equipment. 

§ 39.6003 Underpressure protection during 

stripping and gas-freeing operations— 

B/ALL. 

(a) The cargo tank venting system 

required by 46 CFR 32.55 must not 

exceed the maximum design working 

pressure or the maximum design 

vacuum for the cargo tank. 

(b) Each barge must be fitted with a 

means for connecting the pressuresensing and pressure-indicating devices 

required by 33 CFR 154.2203 on each 

cargo tank top. The valve connection 

point must be labeled ‘‘Pressure Sensor 

Connection’’. 

(c) For stripping operations with 

closed cargo tanks, the maximum 

stripping rate must not exceed the 

volumetric flow capacity of the vacuum 

relief valve protecting the cargo tank. 

§ 39.6005 Inspection prior to conducting 

gas-freeing operations—B/ALL. 

(a) The following inspections must be 

conducted by the barge person in charge 

prior to commencing gas-freeing 

operations, and show that— 

(1) Each part of the barge’s vapor 

collection system is aligned to allow 

vapor to flow to a cleaning facility’s 

vapor control system (VCS); 

(2) If a fluid displacement system is 

used to conduct gas-freeing operations— 

(i) The fluid supply line is connected 

to the fluid injection connection; and 

(ii) The maximum fluid injection rate 

is determined in accordance with 46 

CFR 39.6007(c)(2); 

(3) The maximum stripping or gasfreeing rate is determined in accordance 

with 46 CFR 39.6003(c) or 39.6007(c), 

respectively, and adequate openings 

required by 46 CFR 39.6007(c)(1) are 

available and identified; 

(4) The pressure-sensing and 

pressure-indicating devices required by 

33 CFR 154.2203 are connected as 

required by 46 CFR 39.6003(b); 

(5) The maximum and minimum 

operating pressures of the barge being 

cleaned are determined; 

(6) Unrepaired loose covers, kinks, 

bulges, gouges, cuts, slashes, soft spots, 

or any other defects which would 

permit the discharge of vapors through 

the vapor recovery hose material must 

be detected during inspection and 

repaired prior to operation; 

(7) The facility vapor connection is 

electrically insulated from the barge 

vapor connection and the fluid injection 

connection is electrically insulated from 

the fluid injection source, if fitted, in 

accordance with OCIMF ISGOTT 

section 17.5 (incorporated by reference, 

see 46 CFR 39.1005); and 

(8) All equipment is bonded in 

accordance with 46 CFR 39.6001(h). 

§ 39.6007 Operational requirements for 

tank barge cleaning—B/ALL. 

(a) During cleaning operations, vapors 

from a tank barge cannot be transferred 

to a cleaning facility which does not 

have a marine vapor control system 

(VCS) certified by a certifying entity, 

and its facility operations manual 

endorsed by the Captain of the Port 

(COTP) as meeting the requirements of 

33 CFR part 154, subpart P. 

(b) Prior to commencing stripping 

operations, the maximum allowable 

stripping rate must be determined. The 

maximum allowable stripping rate must 

not exceed the volumetric flow capacity 

of the vacuum relief valve protecting the 

cargo tank. 

(c) The maximum gas-freeing rate is 

determined by the following: 

(1) For a vacuum displacement 

system: 

(i) The maximum allowable gasfreeing rate is a function of the area 

open to the atmosphere for the cargo 

tank being gas-freed. The area open to 

the atmosphere must be large enough to 

maintain the pressure in the cargo tank 

being gas-freed at or above 14.5 pounds 

per square inch absolute (psia) (¥0.2 

pounds per square inch gauge (psig)); 

(ii) The maximum allowable gasfreeing rate must be calculated from 

Table 1 of this section, using the area 

open to the atmosphere for the cargo 

tank being gas-freed as the entering 

determination; 

(2) For a fluid displacement system, 

the maximum allowable gas-freeing rate 

is determined by the lesser of the 

following: 

(i) Eighty percent of the total venting 

capacity of the pressure relief valve in 

the cargo tank venting system when 

relieving at its set pressure; 

(ii) Eighty percent of the total vacuum 

relieving capacity of the vacuum relief 

valve in the cargo tank venting system 

when relieving at its set pressure; or 

(iii) The rate based on pressure drop 

calculations at which, for a given 

pressure at the facility vapor 

connection, the pressure in the cargo 

tank being gas-freed exceeds 80 percent 

of the setting of any pressure relief valve 

in the cargo tank venting system. 

(d) Any hatch and/or fitting used to 

calculate the minimum area required to 

be open to the atmosphere must be 

opened and secured in such a manner 

as to prevent accidental closure during 

gas freeing. All flame screens for the 

hatch and/or fitting opened must be 

removed in order to allow for maximum 

airflow. The hatch and/or fitting must 

be secured open before the pressure in 

the cargo tank falls below 10 percent of 

the highest setting of any of the barge’s 

vacuum relief valves. 

(e) ‘‘Do Not Close Hatch/Fitting’’ signs 

must be conspicuously posted near the 

hatch and/or fitting opened during gasfreeing operations. 

(f) To minimize the dangers of static 

electricity, all equipment used on the 

barge during gas-freeing and cleaning 

operations must be electrically bonded 

to the barge and tested to ensure 

electrical continuity before each use. 

(g) If the barge is equipped with an 

inert gas system, the inert gas main 

isolation valve must remain closed 

during cleaning operations. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 203 / Thursday, October 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 65195 

(h) Vapors from incompatible cargoes 

that are collected simultaneously must 

be kept separated throughout the barge’s 

entire vapor collection system. 

Chemical compatibility must be 

determined in accordance with the 

procedures contained in 46 CFR 150, 

part A. 

TABLE 1 TO § 39.6007—MINIMUM OPEN AREA FOR BARGE CLEANING HATCHES

Air flow 

(CFM) 

(cubic feet/minute) 

Air flow 

(CFS) 

(cubic feet/ 

second) 

Open area 

(square inches) 

Diameter opening 

(inches) 

Square opening 

(inches) 

500 ........................................................................................... 8.3 10.7 3.7 3.3 

600 ........................................................................................... 10.0 12.8 4.0 3.6 

700 ........................................................................................... 11.7 15.0 4.4 3.9 

800 ........................................................................................... 13.3 17.1 4.7 4.1 

900 ........................................................................................... 15.0 19.3 5.0 4.4 

1000 ......................................................................................... 16.7 21.4 5.2 4.6 

1100 ......................................................................................... 18.3 23.6 5.5 4.9 

1200 ......................................................................................... 20.0 25.7 5.7 5.1 

1300 ......................................................................................... 21.7 27.8 6.0 5.3 

1400 ......................................................................................... 23.3 30.0 6.2 5.5 

1500 ......................................................................................... 25.0 32.1 6.4 5.7 

1600 ......................................................................................... 26.7 34.3 6.6 5.9 

1700 ......................................................................................... 28.3 36.4 6.8 6.0 

1800 ......................................................................................... 30.0 38.5 7.0 6.2 

1900 ......................................................................................... 31.7 40.7 7.2 6.4 

2000 ......................................................................................... 33.3 42.8 7.4 6.5 

2100 ......................................................................................... 35.0 45.0 7.6 6.7 

2200 ......................................................................................... 36.7 47.1 7.7 6.9 

2300 ......................................................................................... 38.3 49.3 7.9 7.0 

2400 ......................................................................................... 40.0 51.4 8.1 7.2 

2500 ......................................................................................... 41.7 53.5 8.3 7.3 

2600 ......................................................................................... 43.3 55.7 8.4 7.5 

2700 ......................................................................................... 45.0 57.8 8.6 7.6 

2800 ......................................................................................... 46.7 60.0 8.7 7.7 

2900 ......................................................................................... 48.3 62.1 8.9 7.9 

3000 ......................................................................................... 50.0 64.2 9.0 8.0 

3100 ......................................................................................... 51.7 66.4 9.2 8.1 

3200 ......................................................................................... 53.3 68.5 9.3 8.3 

3300 ......................................................................................... 55.0 70.7 9.5 8.4 

3400 ......................................................................................... 56.7 72.8 9.6 8.5 

3500 ......................................................................................... 58.3 75.0 9.8 8.7 

3600 ......................................................................................... 60.0 77.1 9.9 8.8 

3700 ......................................................................................... 61.7 79.2 10.0 8.9 

3800 ......................................................................................... 63.3 81.4 10.2 9.0 

3900 ......................................................................................... 65.0 83.5 10.3 9.1 

4000 ......................................................................................... 66.7 85.7 10.4 9.3 

§ 39.6009 Barge person in charge: 

Designation and qualifications—B/ALL. 

The designation and qualification 

requirements contained in 33 CFR 

155.700 and 33 CFR 155.710(a)(2) apply 

to the barge person in charge. 

Dated: October 4, 2010. 

J.G. Lantz, 

Director of Commercial Regulations and 

Standards, U.S. Coast Guard. 

[FR Doc. 2010–25384 Filed 10–20–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

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