This section is created to provide answers to questions associated with the required knowledge of Mooring masters and Crew members for STS Operations.
Tanker operators have built OSIS to support safety related information sharing and allow continuous improvement in the conduct of STS operations. It is also a fundamental part of the concept to connect STS experts with OSIS and encourage them to contribute to the continuous improvement cycle. It is also equally important to bring masters and STS superintendents closer. All STS Experts should be aware of masters’ comments and concerns in order to harmonically cooperate with masters, build an effective team and fulfil their joint purpose
The portal is an excellent tool for STS experts, to systematically analyse their experience and manage their profile. It allows them to follow requirements of regulations, identify their skills and build their professional CV.
Through access to OSIS, you will have first-hand knowledge of the information that tanker operators have recorded for STS operations that you have been involved with. You have access to the operations that have been registered, you can read masters’ feedback and see what comments the service providers have made.
With this information you will have the opportunity to assess and, if necessary, to improve your own performance. OSIS is built in a way, that supports positive as well as negative comments and you will have a better understanding of what masters expect from your services.
You can keep records of all your STS experience in one secure location, allowing you to analyse your experience and record your private comments. You can see at a glance, how many STS operations you have done at a specific place, or of a specific type, or with a specific vessel type. You can analyse these operations and keep personal records.
Build a standardized CV that highlight your qualifications and your experience according to the latest requirements of International Conventions and charterers. Soon the system will be able to automatically check if you fulfil the IMO requirements to act as a POAC.
By registering to OSIS, all STS operations that are related with you, will be automatically and effortless be included to your experience record. Additionally, access to OSIS will assist you to have first-hand knowledge of the information that the tanker operators have recorded on these operations.
You can review which STS operations have been registered, read masters’ feedback and see what comments the service provider has made.
IMO: “Appropriate management level deck licence or certificate meeting international certification standards, with all International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, (STCW Convention) and dangerous cargo endorsements up to date and appropriate for the ships engaged in the STS operation;”
It is required an unrestricted Master or Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (CoC A-II/2), with a tanker endorsement (Chemical / Oil, Liquified Gas).
It is required a dangerous cargo endorsement (Chemical / Oil, Liquefied Gas.
In case the CoC and DCE is not able to be renewed due to luck of recent seagoing experience, a Tanker Training Course (Chemical / Oil, Liquified Gas) (A-V/1) is required.
IMO: “Attendance at a suitable ship handling course;”
It is required a suitable / appropriate Ship Handling Course. Industry best practices tend to require a Simulator Ship Handling Course for STS operations.
IMO: “Conduct of a suitable number of mooring/unmooring operations in similar circumstances and with similar vessels;”
IMO: “Experience in oil tanker cargo loading and unloading;”
Location is not included in the “similar circumstances”. The concept is that any experienced STS superintendent can operate in any location, provided of a successfully completed induction/familiarization/assessment procedure, specific for the location of interest.
The rule does not specify the minimum number of required operations. Some organizations have the following limits:
The role of STS service providers is of paramount importance in this qualification. Prudent STS service providers have thorough internal procedures, that evaluate mooring masters’ skills prior giving them the opportunity to play the role of a POAC.
The proposed minimum number of operations is an arbitrary barrier to prevent fully unexperienced superintendents in the absence of a prudent STS service providers. The concept is that the limit should be reasonable, not very big, in order not to put an unreasonable barrier and not very small in order to avoid fully unexperienced mooring masters. Your comment on this is welcome.
IMO: “A thorough knowledge of the geographic transfer area and surrounding areas;”
Normally, the STS service provider should prepare and maintain up-to-date a detailed Location Assessment. Additionally, there should be in place procedures for induction/ familiarization, training/ refreshment and appraisal of STS superintendents. Following these procedures, the STS superintendent should fully understand the Location Assessment, including contingency plan for the location and be familiar with the equipment and resources available and included in the STS contingency plan.
It is recommended to the STS service provider, to have an induction procedure/course that is addressed to all their STS superintendents, and an annually refreshing procedure. It is also recommended to include in the contents of this procedure/course an extensive review of OCIMF guidelines, in order to ensure that the STS superintendents fulfil the requirement of thorough knowledge of the STS plan. [see relevant requirement] Important content (not limited to) that should be included:
IMO: “A knowledge of spill clean-up techniques, including familiarity with the equipment and resources available in the STS contingency plan;
A course focusing in general spill clean-up techniques should be available. This can be included in the Location familiarization course, or it can be a separate course. It is also recommended to refer to ITOPF and IMO manual on Oil Pollution section 1 (prevention) and 4 (Combating Oil Spills)
See Location Assessment and Familiarization Course
IMO: “A thorough knowledge of the STS operations plan.”
See Location Assessment and Familiarization Course. (It is practically unreasonable for the STS supt. to review thoroughly both STS plans prior the operation. On the other hand, all STS plans are reviewed and approved by flags, which ensure that they are in line with OCIM guidelines, as required by the MARPOL regulation. It is reasonable to claim that having a thorough knowledge of OCIMF guidelines satisfies the scope of the requirement of thorough knowledge of STS plans.)
Personal data are collected after the completion of the STS operation from the clients of DYNAMARINe, through the masters. Each master is requested to submit to OSIS an assessment of all STS elements, which include POAC’s personal data. It is also possible to collect the same personal data on the POAC from the master of the participating vessel since the client invites the participating master, to submit his assessment for the STS operation to OSIS.
After completion of the STS operation, DYNAMARINe informs the STS Service Provider of the master’s assessment of the POAC’s performance.
This is the standard procedure of our clients for record keeping and assessing risk of STS operations, as part of their relevant ISM obligations and continuous improvement cycle.