a generic guide by DYNAMARINe

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with the use of this Guide

Copyright © DYNAMARINe April 2022, Version 1.01

ISBN Number: 978-618-84917-9-3
Distributed by DYNAMARINe only to licensed clients including audited STS Service Providers

DYNAMARINe is a member of:

And has received accreditations for their STS services from LR and ABS
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Table of Contents

A. Introduction - Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 2

B. Pre-Planning Information................................................................................................................ 3
C. Joint Plan of Operations Checklist .................................................................................................. 4
D. Additional Comments on JPO agreement ..................................................................................... 10
E. References .................................................................................................................................... 11
F. Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 12
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A. Introduction - Guidelines

According to the latest OCIMF guidelines, section 5.2, page 37, the Joint Plan of Operations (JPO)
constitutes a document which is provided by the nominated STS Service Provider PRIOR to the
commencement of a Ship-to-Ship (STS) operation

The appointed Person in Overall Advisory Control (POAC), STS Superintendent or Transfer Organizer
is responsible to ensure that both Masters are in alignment with the document’s provisions and they
have provided their consent and agreement between one another, on how the STS operation is
intended to be conducted

A well-structured JPO should consist of the Pre-Planning information described in Section B and the
elements listed in the JPO checklist in Section C, and any additional comments relevant to the
forthcoming STS cargo operation in Section D

The nominated POAC, assigned by the STS Service Provider, is responsible for filling out all relevant
information:

1. Table 1 Operation details on STS operation (Section B)

2. Table 2 Expected information on STS operation (Section B)
3. Table 3 Joint Plan of Operations (Section C)

In case of any additional or STS operation-specific guidelines, not included at any of the above
tables, those can be included at section D, Additional Comments on JPO

Upon completion, the subject JPO document should then be reverted to the Masters of both vessels, so
that they may refer to it during the STS operation
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B. Pre-Planning Information

The information listed in the following tables may be extracted from Checklist 1

Table 1 includes general operational details regarding the upcoming STS operation. The STS Service
Provider should fill out, check, and specify, the following information, before reverting the subject
document to both Masters
Table 1 Operation details on STS operation

Operation details
Expected Operation Date (dd/mm/yyyy):
Location – Rendezvous Point: Lat: E/W Long: N/S
Receiving Vessel Name/IMO:
Discharging vessel Name/IMO:
Mooring Operation type: Underway  At Anchor 
Cargo Transfer type: Underway  Drifting  At Anchor 
Cargo Quantity [mt]:
Date prepared (dd/mm/yyyy):

Table 2 includes the expected information from both vessels prior and after the upcoming STS cargo
operation. The STS Service Provider should fill out any missing information before reverting the
subject JPO agreement to both Masters
Table 2 Expected information on STS operation

Discharging vessel
Prior Fwd Aft Mean
Drafts [m]
After Fwd Aft Mean
Receiving vessel
Prior Fwd Aft Mean
Drafts [m]
After Fwd Aft Mean

Discharging vessel Receiving vessel

Max
Freeboards [m]
Min
Prior to the STS
Displacements [mt]
After the STS
Prior to the STS
Parallel Bodies [m]
After the STS
Maximum Crane Outreach [m] Prior to the STS
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C. Joint Plan of Operations Checklist

Table 3 outlines version 1.01 of the Joint Plan of the STS Operation. This should be completed PRIOR
to the STS Operation, by the STS SUPERINTENDENT and then agreed or commented upon by both
Masters. The completion of the JPO agreement amongst the three parties has to take place prior to
the STS Operation

In case any of the Masters need to clarify any issues or raise concerns related to the upcoming STS
Operation, those should be addressed prior to the agreement of the subject JPO

For ease of reference and convenience of tracking, it is preferable for this agreement to be completed
electronically. A copy of it may be provided in electronic version

It must be ensured that the information contained and agreed upon in the JPO is consistent with the
information of the OCIMF STS Transfer Guide checklists as per Table 3. Once completed by the POAC,
the finalized JPO agreement should be shared with the Masters of both participating vessels for
reference purposes

Figure 1 The JPO Process is one of the most fundamentals in the preparedness and planning in Ship to Ship cargo transfer
since it provides a contractual opportunity to the Master, according to the relevant C/P, to confirm and/or require specific
measures to mitigate the risk
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Table 2 Joint Plan of Operations

POAC Advice
The POAC should provide comments associated with specific topics. If
A/A TOPIC OF INFORMATION INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE
necessary, include reference of emails that contained information with the
specific topic or other attached documents

Details regarding rendezvous

location and designated The POAC should provide details of the rendezvous location along with a copy of his
1 RA. Locations should be approved by local authorities for STS transfers
lightering area, including
relevant Risk Assessment (RA)
The POAC should provide a copy of the location specific RA

The RA amongst others, should account provisions for the following:

a) PTB Transfer
b) Fendering process, supply boat assistance. Transfer of fenders from counter
vessel
c) Primary fender position
Location specific Risk d) Provision of secondary fender and correct position
1A e) Cargo hose assembly, connection, and disconnection
Assessment
f) Weather thresholds for specific vessel type
g) Use of Tugs
h) POAC experience
i) Provision of Assistant Mooring Master
j) Experience of Crew
k) Crew roles during the operation

The POAC should provide a description on how the STS operation will be conducted.

For example, approach and mooring underway or with one vessel at anchor,
transfer at anchor or underway, unmooring with one vessel at anchor or while
Description of the way that the
2 underway?
STS operation will be conducted
Any specific hazard for specific phases of the operation should be covered in the RA
of item 1A

Details regarding any local or
government regulatory
requirements along with
3 a)
mandatory notifications for the
specific STS location and
involved size of vessels
4 Communication protocols
Security requirements for the
5 mandatory for the specific location
specific STS location
Procedures associated with any
6
Personnel Transfers
Details regarding service crafts,
7
tugs, or launches
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The POAC should provide details regarding any local or government regulatory
requirements to both masters prior to the operation
Consider the following information:
Designated STS Areas
b) Permission for Night Mooring operations
c) Licensed STS Service Provider
d) AIS Broadcasting notification or other signals as applicable
e) Ageing of STS equipment
f) Environmental limitations
The POAC should confirm to both masters that relevant communication protocols
have been conducted, and a secure VHF working channel has been set prior to the
operation
The communication protocols should include channels for Pre-arrival, during
operations and emergency communications. In case of emergency and in the event
of need of contacting the regional administration, such information should be
contained at the JPO
The POAC should advise both masters if such security requirements are necessary or
The POAC should advise on preferred Personnel Transfer and Risk Mitigating
measures that may apply
Special considerations may apply in case of Personnel Transfer by Basket which
should address and assess hazards related to the following:
a) Use of cranes
b) Skills of Crane Operator
c) Skills of Signaler
d) Maintenance of equipment as applicable
e) Risk Assessments
Details of relevant boats as applicable, should be mentioned in this section. For
Tugs, their number and bollard pull should be mentioned

Environmental operating
8 parameters/limitations for each
stage of the STS operation
Fender configuration and
9 Secondary fenders should be placed forward and aft of the parallel body and in case
rigging arrangements
9A Similar Size Vessels
9B Certificates of STS Equipment
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The POAC should advise both Masters if there are any environmental and/or
operational limitation that would trigger suspension of the transfer operation
Environmental Parameters should address limitation on commencement of the
operation in relation to specific vessel sizes
Weather limitation should address values for wave/swell height, wind speed,
current, tides and wave/swell period
Primary Fender rigging should be described in this section and a visual
representation should be shown at the Mooring Plan
a relevant chock is not available, the use of portable chock should be accordingly
considered
The STS Superintendent should provide risk mitigating measures applicable for
similar size vessels for the specific location and size of involved vessels
Certificates of STS equipment should be provided to both Masters via email with this
JPO
Fenders’ safety valves should be maintained every three years in case the fender
age is less than ten years and every two years in case the fender is greater than ten
years
Hoses should be subject to pressure test at 150% of their rated pressure at an
interval not less than twelve months
Original Manufacturer Certificates should be available in case requested
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This section should include information regarding the mooring arrangements and
sequence of running lines, including use of any specialist mooring equipment
As the industry best practices and latest OCIMF guidelines, the following 12 points
of concern, shall always be taken into consideration by the POAC, as applicable for
each mooring plan
a) Vessels should show in scale with actual displacements (Best Practice)
b) Chocks and closed openings should correspond on actual vessel fittings (Best
Practice & latest OCIMF Section 9.3 & Section 6.6.2)
c) Mooring lines to be in accordance with OCIMF guidelines (Best Practice &
OCIMF Section 9.3)
d) No mixed or crossed lines should appear (Section 6.6.1 of latest OCIMF
guidelines)
e) Same location lines to run in parallel to best possible extent (Section 6.6.2.1
of latest OCIMF guidelines)
f) Two mooring lines from same chock should be avoided. In case more than
one line pass from a unit chock, then protective sleeves should be utilized
10 Mooring Plan (Section 9.1.1 of latest OCIMF guidelines)
g) Fender position in scale in accordance with parallel body distances in actual
vessel displacements (Section 9.1.1 of latest OCIMF guidelines)
h) Baby (secondary) fender position (both vertical and horizontal). Use of
portable chocks where necessary should take place (Section 9.1.1 of latest
OCIMF guidelines)
i) Horizontal shifting of vessels (of similar size) should be depicted (Section
2.1.2 of latest OCIMF guidelines)
j) Deploying and collecting order of mooring lines should be shown (Best
Practice & latest OCIMF Section 9.3 & Section 6.6.2)
k) Difference of vessel freeboard during the STS operation with adjustment of
baby fenders should be evident (Section 6.6.1 of latest OCIMF guidelines)
l) Mooring tails & chock to chock distances should be taken into consideration,
in case of rope or wire tails (Best Practice)

Please check appendix for a sample of a mooring plan with mooring sensitivity
assessment

Information regarding the number, type, and dimensions of cargo (and where
Number of hoses, type, and use applicable Vapour) hoses and method of rigging/support should be included
11 of reducers, if applicable. Hose In case of composite hoses, the use of hose buns is highly recommended. In case of
suspension facilities absence alternative apparatus should be utilized

Drafts, freeboard, parallel
12
bodies, and displacements
Emergencies and spill
13
containment procedures
13A Stop Work Authority
Sequence of actions in case of
14
spillage of cargo
Details regarding the cargo hose
15 connection, draining, purging
and disconnection
Proposed checks during
15A
operations/ Safety Rounds
16 Detailed unmooring sequence
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Please check Table 2 Expected information on STS operation
This Procedure should be compatible to involved vessels STS Policies as presented in
their STS Plans and POAC’s Risk Assessment
The JPO, agreed by all involved vessels, should include, or reference to the
contingency plans for the operation
The STS Superintendent should advice on the STOP work Authority during the
operation
These Actions should be compatible to involved vessels STS Policies as presented in
their STS Plans and POAC’s Risk Assessment
Personnel involved should be familiar with the procedures and should clearly
understand the action they would be required to take when responding to the
emergency
Personnel involved, along with the STS Superintendent, should be familiar with the
related to cargo hose connection, draining, purging and disconnection
The STS Superintendent should advice as a minimum, the needed checks that have
to be undertaken in the following instances:
a) during cargo transfer operations at the manifold.
b) regarding fenders, mooring lines and portable chocks, if present,
c) regarding cargo hoses and their lashing
d) regarding navigational hazards at the transfer area
The method of letting go moorings and separation of ships to be agreed and crew to
be briefed on procedures. OCIMF STS Checklist 5 to be completed prior to
unmooring
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D. Additional Comments on JPO agreement

(Please write on the box below any comments regarding this Joint Plan of Operations)
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E. References
DYNAMARINe. (2017). STS MOORING PLANS - 12 Points of concern. ATHENS, GREECE: DYNAMARINe.
Retrieved 2022, from https://bit.ly/3s6CIvq

DYNAMARINe and Clyde&Co. (March 2016). FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS ON SHIP to SHIP (A ed.).
London: DYNAMARINe.

ICS/SIGTTO/OCIMF/CDI. (2013). Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied
Gases. London UK: Witherby.

International Maritime Organisation. (2011). Manual on Oil Polution. Manual on oil pollution, Section
I, Prevention, Chapter 6, Ship to Ship transfer Operations. London: IMO.

International Maritime Organisation MEPC 186(59). (2009). CHAPTER 8 – PREVENTION OF

POLLUTION DURING TRANSFER OF OIL. London: IMO.

OCIMF. (2018). Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG4) (Vol. 4). (OCIMF, Ed.) London: Witherbys.

OCIMF. (2019). VIQ-7, Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme. London: Oil Companies
International Marine Forum.

OCIMF. (2022). SIRE 2.0 (1 ed.). LONDON: OIL COMPANIES INTERNATIONAL MARINE FORUM.
Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3521pBq
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F. Appendix
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