Tanker Operator features on STS through the onlineSTS.net portal

• Past clearance reports
• Assessment data Fleet analysis
• Incident Analysis
• Participating vessels assessed with less than “Good” grading
• Customer vessel assessments received
• Consolidated Statistics and KPI’s
• Consolidated STS Knowledge as received by the fleet
• Fleet STS experience
• Vessel STS Experience
• Crew STS Experience
• Individual Officer’s STS Experience

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STS MOORING PLANS – 12 Points of concern

What information should be conveyed through an STS Mooring Plan? As part of the JPO (OCIMF STS Guide paragraph 5.2) a mooring plan should be prepared for both participating vessels. A number of different plans have been evidenced from the industry as illustrated at the relevant link. Apparently there is no uniformity on minimum expected information, as evidenced. Provided mooring plans depend on the computer skills of the responsible person rather on procedures. Hence, there is no standard for Masters to follow and rely upon. This may result is confusion and delays during STS Mooring operations. Our opinion, on the basis of feedback from Masters, members of the onlineSTS.net service is that a proposed mooring plan should convey without limited to the following information:

1. Vessels should shown in scale with actual displacements.
2. Chocks and closed openings should correspond on actual vessel fittings.
3. Mooring lines to be in accordance to OCIMF guidelines.
4. No mixed or crossed lines should appear.
5. Same location lines to run in parallel to best possible extent.
6. Two mooring lines from same chock should be avoided. In case more than 1 lines pass from a unit chock, then protective sleeves should be utilised.
7. Fender position in scale in accordance to parallel body distances in actual vessel displacements.
8. Baby (secondary) fender position (both vertical and horizontal). Use of portable chocks where necessary should take place.
9. Horizontal shifting of vessels (of similar size) should be depicted.
10. Deploying and collecting order of mooring lines should be shown.
11. Difference of vessel freeboard during the STS operation with adjustment of baby fenders should be evident.
12. Mooring tails & chock to chock distances should be taken into consideration, in case of rope or wire tails.

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STS STATUS, A gap analysis and on-board training

DYNAMARINe has developed the STS STATUS survey. During the last months, this service is available to all ship owners regardless if they are members of onlineSTS.net. Our team has completed a number of STS STATUS surveys since introduction with remarkable feedback from owners and crews. The STS STATUS is a certificate that describes the level of vessel compliance with IMO regulations and industry best practices for Ship to Ship transfer operations. It is a gap analysis survey that includes information on the following: Condition on Vessel gear Adopted policies and procedures and Crew training & preparedness. The human element is agreed to be a significant factor on STS. All STS operations require proper planning by both Masters and the POAC, prior commencing the physical operation. The STS STATUS includes a physical inspection of the vessel as well as a training to senior officers. The outcome of the physical survey is reflected through the STS STATUS certificate. After the completion of the survey, a training is being delivered to senior officers with respect to procedures and best practices. The training focuses on IMO requirements (Manual on oil pollution, section 1, prevention, chapter 6) and latest OCIMF STS guidelines. The concept of the training focuses on the human element, assessment of STS equipment, the Joint Plan, best practices during mooring operations, and presentation of case studies withpast incidents, near misses and post investigation. Mooring practices, and assessment of an effective mooring plan is being discussed along with fender positioning with respect to parallel body of the manoeuvring vessel. Attending officers receive a certificate of training for their records, issued by DYNAMARINe ACADEMY as certified by ABS. Read More

KUWAIT OIL TANKER COMPANY SAK & SPRINGFIELD SHIPPING Co – New onlineSTS.net members

DYNAMARINe team is honoured to welcome two of the most reputable and well known tanker companies worldwide in the onlineSTS.net service, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company S.A.K. and Springfield Shipping Co from Greece. Both trustworthy companies are mainly involved in the ownership and management of tankers vessels engaged in the transport of crude oil. Kuwait Oil Tanker Company also involved in the market of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG). the entrance of these two traditional Tanker companies in the respectable members’ area of onlineSTS.net are valuable for DYNAMARINe as their profile in the tanker market as well as their more than 50 years history in the shipping industry are highly admirable. Both Companies entered to onlineSTS.net service recently, with Springfield Shipping Co in a FULL membership package of satellite services along with Maran Tankers Management Incincluding the following: STS Drills: The STS Drills deliver a real-time case study topics between vessels and DYNAMARINe. It enhances, the level of the preparedness and the perception of hazards from senior officers involved in the planning, decision making and successful execution of an STS operation. STS STATUS: The STS STATUS Survey is a certificate that describes the level of vessel compliance with IMO regulations and industry best practices for Ship to Ship transfer operations. It is a gap analysis survey that includes information on the following: Condition on Vessel gear; Adopted policies and procedures; Crew training & preparedness. e-learning course: This course provides valuable information related to due diligence issues and best practices that will assist all participants in mitigating the encountered risks, while protecting their ship owner’s interests. We are honoured for the trust that Kuwait Oil Tanker Company S.A.K. and Springfield Shipping Co. have shown to DYNAMARINe. DYNAMARINe and onlineSTS.net service increases the registered fleet by 47 vessels counting a total fleet of more than 900 entered ships. Our goal is the continuous enhancement of the already established quality procedures of all the members at the onlineSTS.net, leading to the improvement of safety, crew awareness and the adoption of a culture by all participating organisations which is beyond the minimum required industry standards. The onlineSTS.net service inclusive of the satellite modules assist the management in improving safety and environmental performance at all levels. Management has a way of measuring and identifying trends in safety and environmental performance in Ship-to-Ship transfer operations at all levels, by maintaining statistical records.   Read the article online

DYNAMARINe STS e-learning course Exercises now available

The human element is a critical parameter for the safe and effective implementation of an STS Operation. During the planning phase, senior officers should have the knowledge and capacity to assess the incurred risks, on the basis of industry requirements. Providing the best training for our valuable crew and seafarers is a top priority.For a prudent ship owner having the best qualified crew, enhances the commercial status quo and increases the competitive advantage.

DYNAMARINe having an expertise in STS operations developed an advanced STS e-learning course, which applies to either shore or ship personnel and enlightens all the tricky and risky areas of the whole STS procedure. The course provides valuable information related to the due diligence issues and best practices that will assist all participants in mitigating the encountered risks, while protecting their ship owner’s interests.

TOPICS COVERED

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR STS OPERATIONS

• Types of STS operations
• The phases of an STS operation
• Statutory and Industry guidelines
• Statistics
• Liabilities

PLANNING the STS OPERATION

• Elements of the STS Operation
• The STS location
• The Service Provider
• STS Equipment Compatibility Issues
• The POAC
• STS Equipment and safety related issues

PROCEDURES to ENSURE SAFETY IN AN STS OPERATION

• Due Diligence in STS operations
• Duties of Shore and Vessel crew
• The Joint Plan
• Fender Selection – Approaching velocity & Berthing Energy
• STS Checklists
• STS records

VETTING ISSUES

• Vetting vs STS

SELF ASSESSMENT

• Regulations and Practices vs Self assessment
• Policies and procedures
• KPI’s in STS operations

INCIDENT INVESTIGATION

• Reporting after an incident
• Principal Evidences
• Analysing the causal factors
• Actions towards avoiding an incident
• Case study

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STS DRILLS & Table Top Exercises now available by DYNAMARINe-onlineSTS.net.

The human element is a critical parameter for the safe and effective implementation of an STS Operation. During the planning phase, senior officers should have the knowledge and capacity to assess the incurred risks, on the basis of industry requirements.

DYNAMARINe offers Ship-to-Ship drill exercises designed towards verifying mariner’s preparedness. Senior officers should have the capacity to assess critical STS elements and other factors, on the basis of STS PLAN and latest OCIMF guidelines. Currently six exercises are available as shown below:

1. Assessment of the Joint Plan of Operations.
2. Vessel compliance with industry requirements.
3. Assessment of STS equipment and POAC qualifications.
4. Fender Selection and Rigging.
5. Approaching and initial contact of the manoeuvring vessel
6. Incident investigation

The exercises are prepared on a ship/fleet specific basis and may be arranged prior to an advance notice. The duration of above exercises is between 60 – 120 minutes.

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The onlineSTS.net concept.

onlineSTS.net is a service of DYNAMARINe, addressed to Tanker Operators and Commercial Managers who perform clearances on nominated vessels for STS Operations in order to ensure vessel’s SUITABILITY and exercise their due diligence to the best possible extent with respect to the STS elements

The concept aims to the following:

• To provide customised procedures for due diligence towards ensuring safety according to statutory and commercial requirements;
• Not to hinder the commercial for the need of conducting an STS Operation, by introducing risk mitigating procedures at each STS Operation. It makes use of OSIS (onlineSTS.net Information System) database which includes past performance data for Vessels, Technical Operators, Service Providers, POACs;
• To increase the reputation of the members;

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STS F.A.Q. Guide released at IFSTS 2016 available for order