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 Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 Lightering Primer
3 Lightering Vessels, Systems, and the External Environment
4 Procedures, Practices, and Human Factors
5 Conclusions and Recommendations
Acronyms
Appendix A: Biographies of Committee Members
Appendix B: Committee Meetings, Subgroup Meetings, and Site Visits
Appendix C: U.S. Coast Guard Data on Lightering Incidents, 1984 to 1996
Appendix D: Data on East Coast Lightering Operations and Incidents
Appendix E: Data on West Coast Lightering Operations and Incidents
Appendix F: Letter Regarding Chevron Shipping Company's Offshore Lightering Plans
Appendix G: Lightering Zone Regulations
Appendix H: Safety Checklists
Appendix I: Statement of Task