RA 17 – June 2010 – One of a series of Steamship Mutual Loss Prevention Bulletins produced by the Ship Safety TrustPage 1 of 2 For further information please contact the Loss Prevention Department, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd., Tel: +44 20 7247 5490; Email: loss.prevention@simsl.com Web: www.simsl.com/loss-prevention-and-safety-training.html Ship to Ship Transfer Operations Introduction The United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) recently published a report on its investigation into a collision between two oil tankers on 10 th August 2009, off the south-eastern coast of the UK, following a ship to ship (STS) transfer operation. The collision occurred at very slow speed and the resulting damages were slight, one vessel suffering damages to a lifeboat and davit, the other being undamaged. The crews of both ships were uninjured and there was no pollution. The number of STS operations in this area (off Southwold) increased considerably in 2009 1 and this incident was the third within six weeks; a further two collisions occurred subsequently. Although STS operations world-wide are reported to have a good safety record, and the accidents off Southwold were relatively minor, their frequency has given cause for concern. The MAIB report found, in general, that the guidance for qualifications and training of superintendents contained in the ICS/OCIMF 2 publication “Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum) 4 th Edition” was ambiguous and open to interpretation by service providers. It also found that the guide did not specify the criteria a master should have met before being considered suitable to control an STS transfer. This was considered significant in view of the training guidance suggested for superintendents, even when they are qualified as Master. In early 2009, prior to this incident, OCIMF initiated the development of “A Guide to Service Providers and Assessment of Suitability” covering operating standards for STS Service Providers and occupational standards for STS Superintendents. This is due to be published in mid 2010. Also, in co-operation with the ICS, OCIMF intends to revise the current STS Transfer Guide to 1 MCA records show that from 2006 – 2008 there were less than 60 applications to complete STS transfers. There were in excess of 200 applications in 2009. 2 ICS – International Chamber of Shipping; OCIMF – Oil Companies’ International Marine Forum. provide advice on risk assessments and manpower requirements. OCIMF also intends to include operations between gas carriers and chemical tankers. It is anticipated that this document will be completed by the end of 2011. In view of these initiatives and the actions taken by the Owners of the ships involved in the collision off Southwold in reviewing and revising their STS operations procedures, the MAIB made no further recommendations in their report. The international regulations for the “Prevention of Pollution during Transfer of Oil at Sea” will come into force on 1 st January 2011, via an amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), in the form of a new Chapter. In this issue of Risk Alert, the Managers wish to draw the attention of Members, Masters and Officers to the forthcoming regulatory changes and initiatives concerning STS transfers. In addition, and as an example of forthcoming national legislation, the situation with respect to proposed UK law concerning STS transfer is also summarised.