Oil Spill Risks From Tank Vessel Lightering

The safety record of lightering (the transfer of petroleum cargo at sea from a large tanker to smaller ones) has been excellent in U.S. waters in recent years, as evidenced by the very low rate of spillage of oil both in absolute terms and compared with all other tanker-related accidental spills. The lightering safety record is likely to be maintained or even improved in the future as overall quality improvements in the shipping industry are implemented. Risks can be reduced even further through measures that enhance sound lightering standards and practices, support cooperative industry efforts to maintain safety, and increase the availability of essential information to shipping companies and mariners. Only continued vigilance and attention to safety initiatives can avert serious accidents involving tankers carrying large volumes of oil.

The safety record of lightering (the transfer of petroleum cargo at sea from a large tanker to smaller ones) has been excellent in U.S. waters in recent years, as evidenced by the very low rate of spillage of oil both in absolute terms and compared with all other tanker-related accidental spills. The lightering safety record is likely to be maintained or even improved in the future as overall quality improvements in the shipping industry are implemented. Risks can be reduced even further through measures that enhance sound lightering standards and practices, support cooperative industry efforts to maintain safety, and increase the availability of essential information to shipping companies and mariners. Only continued vigilance and attention to safety initiatives can avert serious accidents involving tankers carrying large volumes of oil. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Lightering Primer3 Lightering Vessels, Systems, and the External Environment4 Procedures, Practices, and Human Factors5 Conclusions and RecommendationsAcronymsAppendix A: Biographies of Committee MembersAppendix B: Committee Meetings, Subgroup Meetings, and Site VisitsAppendix C: U.S. Coast Guard Data on Lightering Incidents, 1984 to 1996Appendix D: Data on East Coast Lightering Operations and IncidentsAppendix E: Data on West Coast Lightering Operations and IncidentsAppendix F: Letter Regarding Chevron Shipping Company's Offshore Lightering PlansAppendix G: Lightering Zone RegulationsAppendix H: Safety ChecklistsAppendix I: Statement of Task