2.12.3.7 THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID CARGO
Following completion of the pre-transfer inspections of the vessel, the Master
or the Chief Officer should conduct a meeting with the vessel’s personnel
involved in the loading operations and the terminal representatives. The purpose
is to communicate the fullest information necessary to enable the vessel and
the shore terminal personnel to conduct the discharge operations safely. The
names and respective employers and clients of all personnel attending the pre-transfer
conference should be recorded.
A. Information to be obtained from the terminal
The vessel’s officers (Chief Officer) should obtain the following information
from the shore terminal
shore cargo system information, including the
– number and size of shore lines to be used to receive the vessel’s
cargo
– length of shore lines
– number of shore tanks to be discharged into, the altitude of the tanks
and the level of cargo in each
– type of floating roof installations in cargo tanks
– maximum cargo pressure and transfer rates allowed
– shore pipeline displacements before, between and after discharging grades
– cargo loading stops required for shore tank changes or sampling and
testing
– availability of shore booster pumps and the minimum pressure which must
be provided by the vessel to operate them
number and sizes of hoses/arms to be used
operating envelope of the loading arms and any freeboard restrictions imposed.
The communication system to be used and phrases/signals to be used for
advising the ship/shore person in charge of the need to standby
stopping the transfer (while on standby)
emergency stop
other emergencies, such as spill, fire, electrical storm, mooring failure
etc.
Further essential information to be obtained and procedures to be agreed are
emergency telephone numbers of terminal management personnel, local
hospitals, police and fire services
a copy of any particular facility regulations and local rules which
must be observed by the vessel
estimated time the shore terminal will be ready to receive cargo
shore berth manning and shift arrangements.
B. Information to be provided to the terminal
The vessel’s officers (Chief Officer) should provide the terminal representative
with the following information
copy of the stowage plan indicating cargo distribution within the vessel
copy of the cargo discharge, COW and ballasting plans
information regarding the last cargo(es) carried and method of tank
preparation used to prepare for the current cargo(es)
maximum discharge rates anticipated for starting routine discharging
and stripping tanks
operation of the inert gas generator system
material safety data sheet for the cargo(es) on board
proposed sequence of discharging (if multiple grades of cargo)
procedure for changing grades of cargo
any tank washing/flushing to be performed
vessel’s contingency plan or vessel response plan for responding
to an oil pollution incident
bunkering and storing operations anticipated
crew watch manning and shift arrangements; crew changes to be conducted
(if permitted)
vessel repairs to be completed while alongside (if permitted).
With multi-grade cargoes, a clear agreement must be reached as to the procedures
to be employed to avoid cargo contamination. These procedures must be included
in the Chief Officer’s cargo orders or night orders.
For a checklist for ship-terminal communications while discharging, please
refer to Annexes 3.3 and 3.4.
C. Revised discharging plan
Based on the information obtained during the meeting with the terminal representative(s)
the Chief Officer may amend his/her bar chart, time diagram of the discharge,
COW and ballast water operations (if permitted under national regulations).
He/she should review the time diagram with the Master and, after any necessary
revisions, provide a copy to the shore terminal and post a copy in the CCR.