9.4 Handling

  9.4.1.1 The master of a ship and berth operator within their respective areas of responsibility should ensure that:

• .1 no flexible pipe is used for cargoes other than those for which it is suitable, having regard to the temperature and compatibility of such cargoes, or at any working pressure for which it is unsuitable;

• .2 each type of flexible pipe complete with end fittings has been prototype tested and a certificate provided to show the bursting pressure. Prototype hoses may not be used in service;

• .3 before being placed in service, each flexible pipe supplied should be hydraulically tested in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory authority ;

• .4 before being put into use on any day a flexible pipe , other than one being used at a monobuoy or other off-shore facility, is visually inspected. Flexible pipes used at monobuoys and other off-shore facilities should be inspected at frequent intervals;

• .5 a flexible pipe is permanently and legibly marked, showing the type of hose, its specified maximum working pressure and its month and year of manufacture;

• .6 there are adequate electrical insulation flanges;

• .7 the length of each flexible pipe is sufficient to satisfactorily operate within the defined operating envelope without overstressing the terminal connections;

• .8 a flexible pipe rigged for the handling of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes is kept under adequate supervision;

• .9 there are adequate procedures for the disconnection of the flexible pipe in the event of an emergency, to protect the environment, personnel safety and equipment; and

• .10 any flexible pipe after use is drained and purged of the liquid bulk dangerous cargoes and that in cases where this is not possible or has not been carried out, the flexible pipe is provided at each free end with a suitable means to prevent the escape of vapour or admission of air. Such equipment should always be provided on flexible pipes used for the handling of highly toxic liquids or liquefied gas.

  9.4.2.1 The master of a ship and berth operator within their respective areas of responsibility should ensure that:

• .1 there are adequate procedures for the operation, supervision and disconnection of loading arms in the event of emergency, to protect the environment, personnel safety and equipment;

• .2 no loading arm is used for substances other than those for which it is suitable, having regard to the temperature and compatibility of such substances and the working pressure or flow rate for which it is suitable;

• .3 in an emergency there are adequate means for draining the inner and outer arms after normal use and before disconnection;

• .4 the operating envelope of the loading arms is suitable for the ship ;

• .5 the manifold spacing is satisfactory when more than one loading arm is connected;

• .6 each loading arm has been periodically maintained and has a current certificate for its fitness for use; and

• .7 there are adequate electrical insulation flanges.

  9.4.3.1 The master of a ship and berth operator within their respective areas of responsibility, should ensure that cargo handling controls, gauging systems, emergency shutdown and alarm systems, where applicable, have been tested and found to be satisfactory before cargo handling operation begins.

  9.4.3.2 The master of a ship and berth operator should before liquid bulk dangerous cargoes are pumped into or out of a ship from or into a shore installation:

• .1 agree in writing on the handling procedures including the maximum loading or unloading rates taking into account:

  • .1.1 the arrangement, capacity and maximum allowable pressure of the ship’s cargo lines and the shore pipelines ;

  • .1.2 the arrangement and capacity of the vapour venting system;

  • .1.3 the possible pressures increase due to emergency shut-down procedures;

  • .1.4 the possible accumulation of electrostatic charge; and

  • .1.5 the presence of responsible persons during start up operations on board ship and ashore;

• .2 complete and sign an appropriate safety check list showing the main safety precautions to be taken before and during such handling operations;

• .3 agree in writing the action to be taken and the signals to be used in the event of an emergency during handling operations; and

• .4 ensure appropriate safety equipment and clothing are used.

  9.4.3.3 The berth operator should ensure that master flow and drain valves, and other valves that would permit direct outward flow of a bulk liquid storage tanks contents to the surface are securely locked in the closed position when in a non-operating or non-standby status.

  9.4.3.4 The berth operator should ensure that starter controls on all bulk liquid transfer pumps are locked in the “off” position, or located at a site accessible only to authorized personnel.

  9.4.3.5 The berth operator should ensure that loading/unloading connections of pipelines, loading arms, or transfer hoses are securely capped or blank-flanged when not in service or in standby service.

  9.4.4.1 The master of a ship and berth operator within their respective areas of responsibility should ensure that:

• .1 frequent checks are made to ensure that the agreed back-pressures and loading or unloading rates are not exceeded;

• .2 all reasonable care is taken to prevent all relevant pipelines , loading arms , flexible pipes and associated equipment on board the ship and ashore from developing a leak, and that they are kept under adequate supervision during the handling of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes ;

• .3 effective communication between the ship and the shore installations is maintained throughout the handling operations;

• .4 the safety check list mentioned in 9.4.3.2.2 is available for inspection throughout the handling operations;

• .5 simultaneous working of ships’ stores with the handling of dangerous cargoes , gas-freeing, purging or tank cleaning is only carried out when permitted by the port authority and all practicable precautions are taken to avoid damage to connecting loading arms , flexible pipes or associated equipment or any other hazards;

• .6 during the handling of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes , arrangements are made for the gauging of ships’ tanks to ensure that no tank is overfilled;

• .7 responsible persons are present during operations on board ship and ashore; and

• .8 appropriate safety equipment and clothing are used.

  9.4.5.1 The master of a ship and berth operator within their respective areas of responsibility should ensure that after the completion of every transfer of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes the valves of the discharging and receiving cargo spaces and tanks are closed and any residual pressure in the relevant pipelines , loading arms and flexible pipes is released, unless the same valves are required to be open for normal plant or ship operations. They should also ensure that:

• .1 prior to the disconnection of the shore pipelines from the ship , the loading arms , flexible pipes and piping are drained of liquids, the pressure relieved and the piping vented;

• .2 all safety precautions are taken, including the blanking off of the ship manifold connection and the shore pipeline ; and

• .3 appropriate safety equipment and clothing are used.

  9.4.6.1 The ship -to- ship transfer of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes should be subject to the authorization of the port authority and, where appropriate, the permission of the berth operator . If the port authority permits ship -to- ship transfer, it should impose conditions such as special safety check lists and control of the place where the operation may be undertaken, taking into account the particular hazards involved.