Contact damage during STS operation

摘要

An oil tanker under our management approached an anchored 'mother vessel' on her starboard side to perform a ship-to-ship (STS) operation. Weather conditions were ideal and both vessels deployed adequate tendering.Contrary to OCIMF STS guidelines, the mother vessel was riding to her starboard (same side as her 'working' side) anchor. In the fourth edition of the ICS/ OCIMF publication Ship to ship transfer guide (Petroleum), item 6.3 'Manoeuvres with one ship at anchor', states "For such operations, one ship anchors in a pre-determined position using the anchor on the side opposite to that on which the other ship will moor."