code_of_practice_V3_2019

16 Carriage and Transfer of Cargo
(including Dangerous Goods)
16.1 OBJECTIVE
The carriage and transfer of cargoes under MASS operations should be conducted in an acceptable
safe manner to maintain all practical equivalence to the prescribed regulations for conventional
shipping. This Chapter of the CoP offers guidance to MASS Owners and Operators in the interpretation
of their ‘Duty of Care’ to be considered in conjunction with the MASS Definitions, Operations and
Certification within this Code.
16.2 SCOPE
16.2.1 The carriage and transfer of cargo (including dangerous goods) by sea is controlled in order to prevent injury to
persons or damage to ships and their cargoes and to prevent pollution of the marine environment under normal
operating conditions. Dangerous goods are cargoes classified in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code which is given force of law through the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine
Pollutants) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 2367), as amended and applies to all vessels irrespective of size in
UK (navigable) waters. MASS operations will be dictated by the operational requirements of the MASS and
carriage of all cargoes should be subject to a risk based safety assessment.
16.2.2 This Chapter is divided into the following sub-sections:
n Cargo demarcation;
n Ships stores;
n Construction and certification requirements;
n Operational considerations including emergency and spillage provisions;
n Transfer arrangements of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and equivalents from designated tanks;
n Transfer arrangements from portable tanks (greater than 450 litres) or intermediate bulk containers (IRCC);
n Transfer arrangements for receptacles less than 200 litres;
n Dangerous Goods Classes (listing).
16.2.3 Control of dangerous goods is intended to cover all dangerous goods carried as cargo on any vessel. This includes
any specialist equipment which may be classified as dangerous cargo when carried by crew or workers in the
event of partial manned operations.
16.2.4 When carrying dangerous goods identified in the IMDG Code, the vessel, including MASS, is required to have a
Document of Compliance for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods issued by the Administration regardless of the
quantities being shipped and held by the ‘Operating’ authority for all MASS operations.
16.2.5 Dangerous goods may only be carried at the same time as personnel on MASS holding a Document of
Compliance only where such workers or industrial personnel are carried on the express business of the MASS
in the event of partial manned operations.
92
MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice Version 3