(a) Each barge must be owned or operated by the same entity and must have an approved vapor control system (VCS).

(b) There must be only one crossover vapor hose and it must—

(1) Comply with 46 CFR 39.2001(h) and (i);

(2) Have a diameter at least as that of the largest pipe in the outboard barge's VCS, and

(3) If it extends more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) between the two barges during the transfer operation, it must be as short as is practicable, safe for the conditions, supported off the vessels' decks, and its pressure drop calculations must be approved for its length by the Marine Safety Center (MSC), or reapproved by the MSC if existing approval was based on a 25-foot hose.

(c) The hazards associated with barge-to-barge or barge-to-shore electric currents must be controlled in accordance with sections 11.9 or 17.5 of OCIMF ISGOTT (incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 39.1005).

(d) The cargo transfer procedures must reflect the procedures to align and disconnect a facility VCS to and from an inboard barge, and alternately, to and from an outboard barge through the vapor cross-over hose and the inboard barge's vapor header, or “dummy” header. This must include proper connections for the facility VCS's alarm/shutdown system to the alarm/shutdown system of the barge being loaded at the time.

(e) Calculations for multi-breasted loading must consider additional pressure drops across the barges' vapor collection systems and the cross vapor hose and must be reviewed and approved by the MSC per 46 CFR 39.1017(a).

(f) Barge owners and operators must comply with any additional operational requirements imposed by the local Captain of the Port (COTP) in whose zone the shore facility is located. These facilities' VCSs must be certified for conducting such an operation.

(a) Each barge must have at least one liquid overfill protection system that fulfills the requirements of 46 CFR 39.2009.

(b) The vapor header of an inboard barge that is used during outboard barge loading must—

(1) Be aligned with the vapor header of the outboard barge;

(2) Have a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the largest pipe in the vapor collection system of the outboard barge; and

(3) Be marked in accordance with 46 CFR 39.2001(h).

(c) A licensed tankerman, trained in and familiar with multi-breasted loading operations, must be onboard each barge during transfer operations. The tankerman serves as the barge person-in-charge (PIC). During transfer operations, the barge PICs must maintain constant communication with each other as well as with the facility PIC.

(d) If multi-breasted loading will be conducted using more than one liquid transfer hose from the shore facility, the facility must be capable of activating the emergency shutdown system required by 33 CFR 154.550. This will automatically stop the cargo flow to each transfer hose simultaneously, in the event an upset condition occurs that closes the remotely operated cargo vapor shutoff valve in the facility's vapor control system. Multi-breasted loading is prohibited unless the shore facility can comply with this requirement.

(a) Each inboard barge “dummy” header used during outboard barge loading must—

(1) Be aligned with the vapor header of the outboard barge;

(2) Have a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the largest pipe in the vapor collection system of the outboard barge;

(3) Be marked in accordance with 46 CFR 39.2001(h); and

(4) Meet the same design and installation requirements for the vapor collection piping onboard the same barge.

(b) Flanges must meet the same design and installation requirements for flanges in the vapor collection system onboard the same barge.

(c) A stud must be permanently attached, as required in 46 CFR 39.2001(j), to the vapor connection flange on the “dummy” header.