46 CFR §153.975
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
The person in charge of cargo transfer may not approve or continue cargo transfer unless the following conditions are met:
- (a)No fires or open flames are on deck or in compartments near the hose connections when Table 1 requires the cargo's containment system to have a fire protection system.
- (b)Any electrical bonding of the tankship to the transfer facility is made before the cargo transfer piping is joined.
- (c)Any supplemental inert gas supply necessary to maintain the 3.5 kPa gauge (approx. 0.5 psig) pressure in the tank during offloading (see § 153.500) is connected to the inert gas pressure control system.
- (d)The transfer connections have enough slack to allow for vessel movement.
- (e)The transfer connections are supported by tackles.
- (f)The cargo high level alarms, tank overflow alarms and overflow control systems are functioning correctly when the cargo is loaded.
- (g)Joints and couplings are gasketed and mated tightly.
- (h)Flanges are bolted tightly.
- (i)No repair work is underway in areas where cargo or cargo vapors may collect.
- (j)Cargo and sea valves are properly set, with those sea valves connected to cargo piping lashed or sealed shut.
- (k)Venting system bypass valves are set for cargo transfer and are operating properly.
- (l)All scuppers are plugged.
- (m)Smoking is limited to safe places.
- (n)Fire fighting and safety equipment is ready.
- (o)He is in effective communication with the transfer terminal.
- (p)The person in charge of the transfer terminal has acknowledged that he is ready to transfer.
- (q)Pressures within the cargo transfer and containment systems do not exceed the pressure ranges for which the transfer hose and containment systems are designed.
- (r)No vessels that would hazard cargo transfer are alongside the tankship.