33 C.F.R. Subpart E—Cargo Transfer Operations
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters
This subpart prescribes rules that apply to the transfer of oil or natural gas at a deepwater port. (a) No person may transfer oil or natural gas through a CTS at a deepwater port unless it has been inspected and tested according to this section. (b) The SPM-CTS must be maintained as required by the design standards used to comply with §149.650 of this chapter. (c) If the manufacturer's maximum pressure rating for any cargo transfer hose in a SPM-CTS has been exceeded (unless it was exceeded for testing required by this section), the hose must be: (1) Removed; (2) Hydrostatically tested to 1.5 times its maximum working pressure for oil or 1.1 times its maximum working pressure for natural gas; and (3) Visually examined externally and internally for evidence of: (i) Leakage; (ii) Loose covers; (iii) Kinks; (iv) Bulges; (v) Soft spots; and (vi) Gouges, cuts, or slashes that penetrate the hose reinforcement. (d) Each submarine hose used in cargo transfer operations in a SPM-CTS must have been removed from its coupling, surfaced, and examined as described in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section within the preceding 2 years for oil or 15 months for natural gas; and (e) Before resuming cargo transfer operations, each submarine hose in a SPM-CTS must be visually examined in place as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section after cargo transfer operations are shut down due to sea conditions at the deepwater port. When any piece of equipment involved in cargo transfer operations (oil or natural gas) is defective: (a) The piece of equipment must be replaced or repaired before making any further cargo transfers; and (b) The repaired or replaced piece must meet or exceed its original specifications. Repairs must be conducted in accordance with the port-specific maintenance program outlined in the operations manual, and that program must provide for the repair of natural gas transfer hoses in accordance with §127.405 of this chapter. Cargo transfer procedures must be outlined in the port operations manual and must provide: (a) Oil transfer procedures that accord with §156.120 of this chapter; and (b) Natural gas transfer procedures that accord with §§127.315, 127.317 and 127.319 of this chapter. (a) No person may transfer cargo from a tanker to a manned deepwater port unless a declaration of inspection complying with §156.150(c) (for oil) or §127.317 (for natural gas) of this chapter has been filled out and signed by the vessel's officer in charge of cargo transfer and the person in charge of cargo transfer for the deepwater port. (b) Before signing a declaration of inspection, the vessel's officer in charge of cargo transfer must inspect the tanker; the person in charge of cargo transfer for the deepwater port must inspect the deepwater port. They must indicate, by initialing each item on the declaration of inspection form, that the tanker and deepwater port comply with §156.150 (for oil) or §127.317 (for natural gas) of this chapter. No person may transfer cargo at a deepwater port: (a) When the person in charge of cargo transfer is not on duty at the port; (b) During an electrical storm in the port's vicinity; (c) During a fire at the port, at the onshore receiving terminal, or aboard a vessel berthed at the port, unless the person in charge of cargo transfer determines that a cargo transfer should be resumed as a safety measure; (d) When a leak develops of a sufficient quantity for product to accumulate in the cargo containment underneath the manifold or piping; (e) When there are not enough personnel and equipment at the port dedicated to contain and remove the discharges or perform the emergency response functions as required in the port's response plan under part 154 (for oil), or emergency plan under part 127 (for natural gas) of this chapter; (f) Whenever the emergency shutdown system should have activated but failed to do; (g) By lighterage, except in bunkering operations, unless otherwise authorized by the COTP; (h) When the weather at the port does not meet the minimum operating conditions for cargo transfers as defined in the port's operations manual; or (i) When prescribed by the Port Security Plan under heightened security conditions at the port or its adjacent areas, or on vessels calling on or serving the port. (a) In case of emergency, the COTP may order the suspension of cargo transfers at a port to prevent the discharge, or threat of discharge, of oil or natural gas or to protect the safety of life and property. (b) An order of suspension may be made effective immediately. (c) The order of suspension must state the reasons for the suspension. (d) The licensee may petition the District Commander, in writing, or by any means if the suspension is effective immediately, to reconsider the order of suspension. The decision of the District Commander is considered final agency action. (a) The Port Superintendent must ensure that the oil in an SPM-OTS is displaced with water and that the valve at the pipeline end manifold is closed whenever: (1) A storm warning is received forecasting weather conditions that will exceed the design operating criteria listed in the operations manual for the SPM-OTS; (2) A vessel is about to depart the SPM because of storm conditions; or (3) The SPM is not scheduled for use in an oil transfer operation within the next 7 days. (b) The Port Engineer will not be required to perform this requirement, provided it can be demonstrated to the OCMI, that a satisfactory alternative means of safely securing all cargo transfer hoses can be implemented in the event of severe weather conditions.
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 150—DEEPWATER PORTS: OPERATIONS
Subpart E—Cargo Transfer Operations
§ 150.400 What does this subpart do?
§ 150.405 How must a Cargo Transfer System (CTS) be tested and inspected?
§ 150.420 What actions must be taken when cargo transfer equipment is defective?
§ 150.425 What are the requirements for transferring cargo?
§ 150.430 What are the requirements for a declaration of inspection?
§ 150.435 When are cargo transfers not allowed?
§ 150.440 How may the COTP order suspension of cargo transfers?
§ 150.445 When is oil in an SPM-OTS displaced with water?
