USCG has issued a guide which can be used by USCG field personnel for initial and annual inspections of shore-based LNG bunkering facilities and during transfer monitoring of LNG bunkering operations from a vessel to a facility.
In April 2015, the USCG Liquefied Gas Carrier (LGC) National Center of Expertise (NCOE) identified the need for and with USCG Headquarters program support established the LNG as a Fuel Workforce Development Committee (LNGFWDC) to identify USCG prevention workforce development needs for the emerging use of LNG as a maritime fuel and LNG bunkering. The LGC NCOE recruited over 40 field and staff subject matter experts (SME) comprised of experienced LNG facility inspectors, marine inspectors, and gas carrier examiners from around the nation as members of the LNGFWDC. The SMEs were divided into two sub-committees, one for LNG fueled vessels and one for LNG bunkering facilities.
These groups have identified the highest priority workforce needs and will collectively develop draft deliverables to be used as recommendations for field units. The LGC NCOE is disseminating these recommendations as field notices for local units and industry to utilize on current and proposed projects and for USCG Headquarters program offices to consider as field tested templates.
Over the last several months the LNGFWDC LNG bunkering facilities sub-committee has identified the need for a LNG checklist for LNG bunkering operations from a facility to a vessel, as their highest priority. Throughout this timeframe several members of the team witnessed multiple LNG bunkering operations and reviewed case studies from industry and other government agencies around the globe. The bunkering facilities sub-committee used this information along with references to develop ” a LNG Facility to Vessel Bunkering Job Aid”.
The LNG Bunkering Job Aid has been field tested at each of the approved LNG Bunkering facilities in the U.S. by local field units and the LNGFWDC. The LNG Bunkering Job Aid can be used for initial and annual inspections of shore based LNG bunkering facilities and during transfer monitors of LNG bunkering operations from a facility to a vessel.
The LNGFWDC is currently developing a LNG Bunkering Job Aid for vessel to vessel LNG bunkering operations and a LNG as a fuel machinery checklist. Both deliverables should be released within the next few months.
Please click below to view the ”LNG Bunkering Job Aid”
Source: USCG
