Section 250-RICR-140-25-2.7 - Oil and Waste TransfersA. The owner and operator of an oil carrying vessel and the owner and operator of a terminal shall take the following precautions prior to and during the transfer of oil and wastes:1. Any flexible hose used in the transfer shall be tested at a pressure in excess of that to which it will be subjected in use, and such test shall be conducted annually.2. Drip pans shall be placed under hose connections on the oil carrying vessel, and drip pans and a tight wharf or pier section enclosed by a curb raised to not less than four inches (4") above the deck level is provided under the hose connections on the wharf or pier. Drip pans must be in place before tight blank, as provided in § 2.7(A)(6) of this Part, is removed and they must remain in place until the blank is replaced and the hose is moved. This Rule shall not prevent the installation of a drain to a tight curbed wharf or pier section for the removal of storm water, provided the drain is tightly closed during any oil or waste transfer and no oil or waste contaminated drainage from the tight section is discharged into the waters of the State when the drain is open.3. Hoses shall be supported so as not to become crushed between the oil carrying vessel at the wharf or pier and to prevent undue strain on the hoses and manifolds caused by sharp bends in the hoses.4. Hoses shall be long enough so that they will not be strained by any movement of the oil carrying vessel if the vessel's mooring lines are adequately tended.5. Mooring lines shall be tended frequently to prevent excessive movement of the oil carrying vessel at the wharf or pier.6. Hose ends shall be blanked tightly when hoses are moved into position to be connected, and also immediately after they are disconnected, before they are moved away from their connections.7. Throughout the transfer operation, a person shall be stationed on the deck of the oil carrying vessel in site of the hose and its connections, and another person shall be stationed on shore in sight of the hose and its shore connection. Other trained personnel, as necessary, shall be on duty so as to insure immediate action in case of a malfunction.8. The scuppers on the oil carrying vessel shall be plugged watertight during the oil transfer or ballasting operation.9. If the transfer is to take place after sunset and before sunrise, the decks and wharf or pier area, as well as the water area between the vessel and the wharf, shall be brightly illuminated and emergency auxiliary lighting and generating equipment shall be readily available.10. All sea valves connected to the cargo piping, stern discharge, and ballast discharge valves shall be closed and sealed with a numbered seal.11. All hose riser valves not to be used shall be closed and blank flanged, and all air valves on headers shall be closed.12. Means of communication between the oil carrying vessel and shore shall be checked and all signals between the vessel and shore thoroughly understood.13. Loading shall be started at a slow rate and an inspection made of the oil carrying vessel's tanks to determine that all is going according to plan before loading is increased to desired rate.14. No more tanks shall be loaded at one time than can be safely watched and controlled.15. Special attention shall be paid during the topping-off process to the loading rate, the number of tanks open, the danger of air pockets, and the inspection of tanks already loading.16. To allow time for orderly control, the slow down for topping-off shall be anticipated and notice given to shore personnel.17. Water around the oil carrying vessel's side shall be inspected frequently, especially in the area of the seacocks, to ensure that no oil is escaping overboard.18. Upon completion of loading, all tank valves and loading valves shall be closed. After draining, hoses shall be disconnected and hose risers blanked.19. Lines and valves in the pump rooms and on deck shall be checked by the ship's master or senior deck officer to see that they are properly set for discharging cargo. An additional check shall be made for the same purpose each time the setting is changed.20. A check valve to prevent backflow shall be located in the discharge line of each oil cargo pump of a centrifugal type; the check valve shall be located at a point in the discharge line ahead of any connection the line makes with the discharge line from any other cargo pump on the vessel.21. A copy of the "Declaration of Inspection", required by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 33 C.F.R. § 156.150 (2018), shall be handed to the terminal superintendent or his representative, who shall, on demand, be given the opportunity to satisfy himself that the condition of the oil carrying vessel is as stated in the "Declaration of Inspection."22. The terminal shall have readily available essential equipment to contain and remove any oil spillage, and have personnel available on a twenty-four (24) hour emergency basis who are familiar with such salvage or cleanup operations.23. The owner/operator shall meet all sample collection requirements of the Coastal Resources Management Council.24. The owner/operator shall obtain a permit, as required by the Coastal Resources Management Council, and comply with all permit terms and conditions.25. No oil carrying vessel, while at anchor, shall transfer oil while gale warnings (wind velocity thirty-five (35) knots or more) are in effect.26. Vessel-to-vessel transfers may be carried on at the dock with prior notification and approval of the United States Coast Guard. Offshore transfers may only be conducted in anchorage areas designated by the Coastal Resources Management Council, except for the transfer of fuel for a vessel's own use. Prior to conducting any vessel-to-vessel transfer the owner or operator of such vessels shall notify DEM of the date, time, and volume of such transfer and shall contract for emergency, stand-by cleanup services. The Director of DEM may, on an emergency basis, further restrict such vessel-to-vessel transfers and require that such transfers be limited to onshore terminal facilities.27. If two (2) or more cargo pumps discharge into a common line on the vessel or on the shore, assurance shall be made that a check valve, in good working order, is in each line to prevent backflow of cargo in the event that one (1) pump stops.28. In all other respects, conform to applicable Coast Guard Regulations.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-140-25-2.7
Amended effective 5/2/2018
Amended effective 7/20/2022