COMMON TERMS

1. Dedicated Ship: It is a sea-going ship which is permanently fitted with all

equipment necessary to carry out STS transfer operations on a regular
and long term (dedicated) basis. A feature of such ships is their ability to
move from location to location; accordingly it is common to find such
ships able to secure all equipment safely for ocean passages.
2. Established Ship: An established ship is a ship which has been contracted
for a period, usually in a specific location, to act as a mother ship
receiving other ships alongside. An established ship is similar to a
dedicated ship in that an experienced crew can be expected to be on
board. However, she can be without permanent means of raising and
lowering fenders and accordingly may be alternatively described as a
station tanker
3. Non-Dedicated Ship: A non-dedicated ship is a sea-going ship which is
temporarily equipped to carry out STS transfer operations on a short
term (non-dedicated) basis.
CONTROL OF OPERATIONS
Overall In charge: The overall control of an STS transfer
operation should be vested in the hands of one individual.
This may be one of the Masters concerned, or an STS
Superintendent.
Procedures for Navigation:
For ship maneuvers involving a non-dedicated ship, the
Master taking overall advisory control must be mutually
agreed between the two ships and the same should be clearly
established by both Masters prior to the start of operations.
In an STS transfer operation involving an established ship
or a dedicated ship, the Master of that ship will normally be
expected to have the overall advisory control.
For some inshore areas the Port Authority may require a
Pilot to be taken. In such circumstances the Pilot will be in
charge of the navigation and the piloting. However, each
Master remains in Command of his Own Ship and should
ensure that the STS checklists are followed.
 Responsibility for Cargo Operations: Cargo transfer operations should be
carried out in accordance with the requirements of the receiving ship. An STS
superintendent may be employed to oversee the cargo transfer operation.
Responsibility for safety: Throughout an STS transfer operation each
Master remains responsible for the safety of his own ship, its crew, cargo and
equipment, and should not permit safety to be prejudiced by the actions of the
other Master, Regulatory Officials or others.
TRANSFER AREA
Transfer areas may be relatively large or small: the space available dictates the type of
maneuver. In the case of maneuvers at sea, where it is intended that both ships are
underway, a large transfer area will be needed to accommodate the necessary
maneuvers. A ship approaching another ship at anchor will require a much smaller
overall area.
There should be prior agreement between the two Masters about the location of the
transfer area and the methods of mooring (and anchoring, if to be used).
The under mentioned points are to be considered for selecting a transfer area:
The destinations of the ships concerned to avoid unnecessary deviation.
The need to notify and obtain agreement of a coastal authority.
The shelter provided from the weather, particularly from sea and swell.
Present and forecast weather conditions.
Tidal current conditions.
Safe distances from off-shore installations.
The availability of a safe zone free from small craft.
 The need for sea-room and water-depth to be sufficient for maneuvering during
berthing and unberthing.
Sufficient sea-room should be available to allow for normal drift or steaming
distances when cargo transfer operations are to be conducted underway.
Where cargo operations are to be undertaken at anchor, the transfer area should
allow a safe anchorage, and the nature of the sea-bed should be taken into account.
The traffic density.
 STS TRANSFER
OPERATIONS
GENERAL GUIDELINES

In this section we shall have an insight into Ship to Ship

transfer operational criteria, checklists involved and some
salient features recommended in the OCIMF guide for
such operations.