Upon receiving the nomination, Pacific LAMT places the Transporter into its scheduling queue and begins to process the tanker through the Pacific LAMT Tanker Acceptance Program. This program will provide Pacific LAMT with assurances that the MOT is of high quality and operated in a safe manner. Pacific LAMT will use the information in the Oil Companies International Marine Forum’s Ship Inspection Report Programe (SIRE) to determine if the MOT meets all the terminal requirements. Once Pacific LAMT determines the requirements are met, Pacific LAMT will inform ABC the MOT is cleared to discharge her cargo when she arrives at the terminal. (Refer to tanker acceptance program)

When the MOT is 96 hours from arriving at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), she must contact the US Coast Guard (USCG) providing specific information about the tanker, her crew and cargo. The USCG will process the information to determine if the MOT should be allowed into the POLA. If the MOT fails to make notification, she will not be allowed into the POLA. (Refer to maritime security)

As the MOT continues toward the POLA, she will transmit Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) reports to the Marine Exchange (MX) of Southern California (see the link Marine Exchange) and to the ship’s agent. The agent is a service provided to the tanker by local companies who will represent the tanker when in the POLA. The MX and the agent will keep the pilots, tugs, etc. informed as to the progress of the tanker as she approaches the POLA.

When the MOT is approximately 10 hours from the pilot pick up station, she will begin the fuel switching process, and check all navigation and steering equipment, communications, and engine reverse to be sure she is ready to enter the Port. The permits and lease for the facility require the tanker to be using low sulfur marine distillate fuel when the tanker is 40 mile from the POLA. (Refer to fuel and fuel switching) In addition to low sulfur marine distillate fuel at the 40 mile mark, the tanker will also be required to have a speed of no more than 12 knots.

Depending on the source of the crude being transported and the ocean route of the tanker, the tanker will enter into the Traffic Separation System and the Vessel Traffic System for San Pedro Bay. The USCG and the MX jointly operate the system. (Refer to San Pedro Bay)

In the course of designing the marine terminal, Pacific LAMT has very carefully studied the weather and wave conditions. At times it may not be safe to dock the tanker at the marine berth. If this is the case with MOT, the terminal will inform the tanker well before she reaches the pilot boarding area. The MOT will then be instructed by the Vessel Traffic System to go to an assigned anchorage and wait for the weather or waves to improve. (Refer to marine terminal safety control systems)

All ships calling on the POLA are required to have a pilot on board to advise the Captain of the ship on safe navigation in POLA. (Refer to port pilot) The pilot will board the MOT approximately 5 miles from Angeles Gate, the entrance into the POLA. The tanker will be at a speed of approximately 5 knots when the pilot boards. Once the pilot reports to the navigating bridge of the tanker, the pilot and Captain will exchange specific information about the tanker and POLA to plan a safe transit to Berth 408. At the same time the pilot boards, the escort tugs will meet the MOT to safely escort her into POLA and to Berth 408. (See the link, Harbor Safety Plan, under “tankers” on the main menu for more information) As the tanker with pilot and escorts proceeds down the entrance channel the tanker will slow to a speed of 3-5 knots. Once inside the breakwater the pilot will maneuver the tanker alongside the berth.

When the MOT is safety moored to the berth, U.S. government officials will board the tanker to inspect and review the crew on board to be sure they have the proper identification. Once the officials have conducted their inspection the tanker will be declared “cleared” and then the crew of the tanker can begin to prepare to transfer (discharge) the cargo.

There are many activities which take place during the first couple of hours once the tanker has been cleared. These activities are conducted by various tanker and terminal personnel and are usually conducted simultaneously with each other.

• The oil spill boom will to placed around the tanker
• The cargo will be measured and sampled.
• The senior ship officer and terminal personnel will have a conference to discuss the transfer plan and emergency procedures. At the conclusion of the meeting various documents will be signed indicating mutual understanding of all the procedures.
• The transfer arms will be connected to the tankers pipe manifolds.
• Low sulfur, marine distillate fuel, will be loaded into the tankers fuel tanks for use during cargo operations. (Refer to fuel and fuel switching and reducing project emissions)
• If applicable the Alternative Marine Power (cold ironing) will be connected and energized. (see alternative marine power)
• The senior officer of the Transporter and terminal personnel will conduct a safety inspection of the tanker to assure themselves the tanker is ready to discharge cargo.
• During this time various other government agencies may also conduct safety inspections. Some of the agencies will be the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, The State of California States Lands, Marine Terminals Division and Fish and Game Department, Office of Oil Spill, Prevention and Response, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

When all the foregoing activities are completed the transfer (discharge) of the cargo will begin. The following is the sequence of the start up of the transfer operation.

1. Radio communication equipment will be tested.
2. Valves will be opened both on the tanker and the facility.
3. The tanker will start her pumps at a slow speed.
4. Both tanker and terminal personnel will check tank levels to be sure the cargo is being pumped and received.
5. The inert gas system on the tanker will be started. Tanker personnel will check to be sure inert gas in entering the cargo tanks. (See tanker industry today)
6. The transfer rate will be increased to its maximum.

The cargo transfer time will vary depending on the size of the tanker’s pumps. It will range from 18-24 hours. There are activities which will be done to assure the operation is proceeding according to the plan to detect any abnormities:

• Continual observations by both tanker and terminal personnel of the tanker and marine terminal looking for any abnormities. If an abnormity is observed, cargo operations will be stopped and an investigation will be conducted. Cargo operations will not resume until it is safe to do so.
• The marine terminal is equipped with operational cameras and monitoring equipment to detect leakage or a change in position of the tanker while at the berth for early detection of any problem. Weather, wind and wave conditions are, also, continuously monitored using installed equipment. The monitoring equipment is located in the control tower which is manned 24 hours a day. Established parameters are used to determine when conditions warrant stopping the discharge operation. If operating personnel detect any problem or the parameters are exceeded cargo operations will be stopped and an investigation will be conducted. Cargo operations will not resume until it is safe to so. (Refer to marine terminal safety control systems)
• Once an hour, or as often as needed, formal safety inspections will be conducted and the volume of cargo transferred from the tanker will be compared to the volume of cargo received in the terminal. If there is sufficient difference, cargo operations will stop until the differences can be accounted for.
• Soon after the transfer begins, the tanker will begin to load water ballast into her segregated ballast tanks. (Refer to tanker industry today) This operation will continue throughout the discharge operation.
• Oil Washing (COW) operation. (Refer to tanker industry today)

When the cargo transfer is completed, cargo tanks will be inspected, documents will be signed and exchanged and cargo transfer arms will be removed.

At a prearranged time, the pilot will board the tanker, and tugs will arrive to assist the tanker during her departure from POLA. The MOT will then leave the dock, proceed out the shipping channel, dismiss the tugs, disembark the pilot and proceed to her next loading port. During the departure the MOT will observe the speed limits and the fuel oil requirement until she reaches the 40 mile mark.