31 Jul 2015 / United States, Port Arthur
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port at Port Arthur has advised that new rules regarding ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of oil cargoes came into effect on 5 May 2015. The Coast Guard has added 33 CFR 156 Subpart D titled Prevention of Pollution During Transfers of Oil Cargo Between Oil Tankers at Sea, which applies to STS transfer operations involving at least one vessel greater than 150 gross tons. Subpart B Special Requirements for Lightering of Oil and Hazardous Material Cargoes will now only apply to oil and hazardous material cargo transfers when both oil tankers are less than 150 gross tons in the marine environment beyond the baseline. For pre-transfer notices, the new regulations align with existing MARPOL Annex I requirements to require that a vessel involved with STS operations give at least 48 hours advance notice of transfer. This is a change from the previous requirements to provide 24 hours' notice to the nearest Coast Guard office. The Coast Guard recognizes that 28 hour notice may present a challenge and the new regulations allow for an incomplete initial notification provided that the remaining information is submitted at the earliest opportunity. A 24-hour notice requirement remains for all vessels subject to 33 CFR 156 Subpart B. For vessels conducting STS operations in Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur's Captain of the Port Zone, an initial notification on behalf of the ship to be lightered (STBL) must be received 48 hours prior to transfer with as much information as is known at the time. Vessel representatives or STS providers may then provide one complete update when all additional required information is known. Each service vessel is not required to submit notice provided that the names and requisite information for each service vessel is submitted. Masters, vessel agents, and lightering service providers should be aware that the required reporting information is slightly different than the existing requirements. Care should be taken to ensure all internal reporting procedures are updates to ensure compliance. For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at [email protected]
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