[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR156.330]

[Page 447]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 156--OIL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL TRANSFER OPERATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Subpart C--Lightering Zones and Operational Requirements for the Gulf of 
                                 Mexico
 
Sec. 156.330  Operations.

    (a) Unless otherwise specified in this subpart, or when otherwise 
authorized by the cognizant Captain of the Port (COTP) or District 
Commander, the master of a vessel lightering in a zone designated in 
this subpart shall ensure that all officers and appropriate members of 
the crew are familiar with the guidelines in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section and that the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (l) of 
this section are complied with.
    (b) Lightering operations should be conducted in accordance with the 
Oil Companies International Marine Forum Ship to Ship Transfer Guide 
(Petroleum), Second Edition, 1988, to the maximum extent practicable.
    (c) Helicopter operations should be conducted in accordance with the 
International Chamber of Shipping Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations, 
Third Edition, 1989, to the maximum extent practicable.
    (d) The vessel to be lightered shall make a voice warning prior to 
the commencement of lightering activities via channel 13 VHF and 2182 
Khz. The voice warning shall include:
    (1) The names of the vessels involved;
    (2) The vessels' geographical positions and general headings;
    (3) A description of the operations;
    (4) The expected time of commencement and duration of the operation; 
and
    (5) Request for wide berth.
    (e) In the event of a communications failure between the lightering 
vessels or the respective persons-in-charge of the transfer, or an 
equipment failure affecting the vessel's cargo handling capability or 
ship's maneuverability, the affected vessel shall suspend lightering 
activities and shall sound at least five short, rapid blasts on the 
vessel's whistle. Lightering activities shall remain suspended until 
corrective action has been completed.
    (f) No vessel involved in a lightering operation may open its cargo 
system until the servicing vessel is securely moored alongside the 
vessel to be lightered.
    (g) If any vessel not involved in the lightering operation or 
support activities approaches within 100 meters of vessels engaged in 
lightering, the vessel engaged in lightering shall warn the approaching 
vessel by sounding a loud hailer, ship's whistle, or any other 
appropriate means.
    (h) Only a lightering tender, a supply boat, or a crew boat, 
equipped with a spark arrestor on its exhaust, or a tank vessel 
providing bunkers, may moor alongside a vessel engaged in lightering 
operations.
    (i) Lightering operations shall not be conducted within 1 nautical 
mile of offshore structures or mobile offshore drilling units.
    (j) No vessel engaged in lightering activities may anchor over 
charted pipelines, artificial reefs, or historical resources.
    (k) All vessels engaged in lightering activities shall be able to 
immediately maneuver at all times while inside a designated lightering 
zone. The main propulsion system must not be disabled at any time.
    (l) In preparing to moor alongside the vessel to be lightered, a 
service vessel shall not approach the vessel to be lightered closer than 
1000 meters unless the service vessel is positioned broad on the quarter 
of the vessel to be lightered. The service vessel must transition to a 
nearly parallel heading prior to closing to within 50 meters of the 
vessel to be lightered.