SMS/W 0771

Instruction for Management of Ship-

SMS/W 0771
to-ship Transfer

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by Version 5.0, Rev.0

Issued in October,
HSE Dept Zheng Luyan Lin Wenjin
2016.
1. Purpose
The Instruction is formulated to ensure the safe implementation of ship-to-ship transfer
operations.
2. Scope
The Instruction applies to onshore bases and oil tankers of the COSL Shipping.
3.Basis of Preparation
The establishment procedure of key operation scheme and guidelines
4.Responsibilities and Authorities
4.1 The captain is the first functionary of the ship-to-ship transfer
4.2 The chief mate is responsible for the safety checking during the ship-to-ship transfer.
4.3The equipment of the company should send the plan and the information of the ship to the
ship
5. General Regulations
5.1. During ship-to-ship transferring, both parties shall follow all safety requirements and
precautions of normal cargo operation. In case of failure to follow the requirement, the
operation cannot be conducted, and shall be stopped if in progress.
5.2. The ship-to-ship transfer at port or sea shall be approved by the local maritime
authorities, some circumstances or conditions relating to the operation must be
authorized.
5.3. During ship-to-ship transferring, the captain should always ensure the safety of the ship,
crew, cargo and equipment. For the relevant precautions, refer to Guide on ICS/OCIMF
Ship-to-ship Transfer (STS) (oil).
6. Preparation
6.1. For ship-to-ship transfer, the ship shall be equipped with the equipment required in STS
Guide and shall also have the capability of satisfying and safe mooring and handover, as
well as good communication.
6.2. The ship owner should provide information as required in Checklist 1 of STS Guide and
report the relevant information on ship length, free-board height, locations of Venture
tubes, mooring point and fenders to the captain as soon as possible.
6.3. Before berthing, the following requirements shall be delivered:
(1) Size and number of Venture tubes
(2) Maximum and minimum height of Venture tube from water surface
(3) Cargo oil pipe is well hanged and is under safe load
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(4) Prevent cargo oil pipe provided from wearing

(5) Main pipes of ships from both parties shall be arranged as required in OCIMF.
(6) Meteorological conditions at the time
7. Safe operation requirements
7.1. Before STS operations, the relevant departments should conduct a risk assessment to
ensure the full understanding of the operation. Risk assessment includes at least:
(1) Identify the hazard of relevant operations (risk of collision nearby, vapor pressure of
goods, H2S content, etc.)
(2) Assessment on possible and future risks
(3) Method of risk identification, prevention and/or mitigation
(4) Including the procedures to deal with unexpected events
7.2. The proper drill shall be conducted for ship within 24 hours before the ship-to-ship
operations so that all sailors can be familiar with the requirements of emergency signals,
procedures, and operations and so on. The drill cannot contain all contingency
situations, but mooring failures and fires should serve as the prime example. In
additions, the following conditions should be considered:
(1) Alarm program
(2) Stop operation in emergency
(3) Preparation of emergency location and initial emergency
(4) Remove the configuration of mooring channel to muster
(5) Emergency removal of cargo oil pipe
8. Preparation for emergency standby engine
8.1. Checklist in Appendix of STS Guide shall be used for transfer, as well as the transfer
planed by the relevant parties (checklist 1).
8.2. The checklist procedures shall be insistently used for most operations. Checklist serves
as a predictable reminder based on major safety factors.
8.3. Before mooring, each ship shall be checked as specified in checklists 2 and 3 in STS
Guide and the problems found shall be corrected.
8.4. During STS operations, noncompliance with the safety requirements by any party shall
be reported to the captain and the operation shall be delayed until compliance with
requirement.
8.5. Basic safety requirements for ship-to-ship transfer are similar to that for ship in normal
operations of port cargo. In addition, the main requirements are as follows:
(1) Smoking and naked fire: Regulations on smoking and naked fire should be compulsively
enforced.
(2) Switchboard grounding indication should be able to display the short circuit and the
short circuit can be quickly tracked and isolated.
(3) Soot blowing shall be conducted for boilers and diesel before arrival to prevent hot ash
from falling onto the deck.
(4) Prevent the accumulation of gas, and static electricity between ships.
(5) Operational requirements of radar, radio and satellite communication device.

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(6) Requirements in stormy weather.

(7) Vessels shall not get close without permission. The door and window in living area shall
be closed. Operation requirements of kitchen appliances shall be followed.
(8) Preparation of firefighting equipment.
(9) Guard for safety: More sailors on duty shall be arranged during ship-to-ship transferring.
There shall be personnel on duty for cargo operations, as well as during sailing or
mooring.
9. Records
STS Checklist
Log Book
Engine Log
Loading/Unloading Operation Records

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