5.12 CONNECTING CARGO HOSES

The connection of cargo hoses or loading arms is an industrial operation requiring a number of prior inspections and precautions. If a work permit system is in use on the tanker, a work permit should be completed for the cargo hose/arm connection operation.

5.12.1 Inspection
The following inspection items must be completed prior to connecting hoses or arms:
• If ship's derricks are to be used, inspect:
    • Topping and cargo runner winches.
    • Topping lift wires and runner wires for condition.
    • Chains and shackles.
    • Deck and kingpost fittings for cracks or corrosion.
    • Guys or running rigging for condition/damage.
    • Lubrication of all lubrication points.
• Crew personal protective equipment: hard hats, shoes, gloves, eye protection.
• Portable fire extinguishers.
• Connection tools and studs.
• Hose stoppers, slings, or bridles.
• Inspect the condition of all manifolds to be used, clean/dress any soiled or corroded flange faces.
• Provide new gaskets for each manifold to be used.
• New hose flange studs and nuts must be used.
• Uncover the hose manifold containment trough and prepare trough pumping-out equipment.

Label the manifolds to be used for discharging each grade of cargo. If multiple grades of cargo will be discharged, label both sides of each manifold valve with the name/grade of cargo to be discharged.
It is the responsibility of the chief officer to also observe the condition of the shore terminal hoses, derricks, loading arms, connecting flanges, gaskets, connecting devices, supporting equipment and personnel protective equipment and to order that connection operations be stopped if any significant defects are noted.
Hoses should be fully supported during connection. The hose connection operation provides numerous opportunities for crushed/ broken hands or fingers if conducted carelessly. Ensure that only competent personnel operate winches and that they fully understand any hand or verbal signals/orders to be used.

5.12.2 Shore bonding wire
Studies have indicated that a ship-to-shore bonding wire does not achieve the purpose for which it was intended unless the wire is an impracticably large diameter. The preferred method of preventing incentive sparks when the shore arm/hose is brought in close proximity to the ship's manifold is for the arm/hose installation to include an insulating flange. The insulating flange prevents the passage of any current from one structure to the other and eliminates the possibility of an incendive sparks (if properly maintained!).
Nevertheless, the use of bonding wires continues to be mandated at some terminals. If one is offered for use on board it should be connected as follows:
• Verify that the bonding wire switch is in the open position.
• Find an exposed metal point away from the loading manifold and connect the bonding wire clamp to it.
• Close the bonding wire switch.
• Connect the loading hoses/arms.

5.12.3 Connecting hoses/arms
Loading arms are normally connected by the shore terminal personnel, since they are operated by hydraulic equipment located on shore. The ship's officer in charge should conduct the inspections indicated above and observe the connection operation carefully to see that it is properly completed.
Shore hoses or arms should be empty when brought aboard. If the hoses or arms are full they may be drained into the ship's manifold trough before connecting only if the shore personnel agree to let the ship pump the trough to the shore containment after connection is complete. After the arms have been connected verify that the loading arm support stand is properly set and tightened up and that the loading arm vent is closed.
Enter the time each hose/arm is connected in the vessel's logbook and port log. After the hose/arm connections are made, check that the hose support rigging is suitably positioned for the entire duration of the loading.
If hoses/loading arms are not connected, before the start of cargo discharge, to all ship's manifolds which the vessel can use to discharge cargo, the master should file a note of protest. File a note of protest also if hoses/arms are used which are too small to permit the vessel to discharge cargo at its best rate.