§ 156.215 Pre-arrival notices.

(a) The master, owner or agent of each vessel to be lightered must give at least 24 hours advance notice to the Captain of the Port nearest the lightering location or zone, prior to arrival in the lightering location or zone. This advance notice must include: (1) The vessel's name, call sign or official number, and registry: (2) The cargo type (if oil) or shipping name (if hazardous material) and approximate amount on board; (3) The number of transfers expected and the amount of cargo expected to be transferred during each transfer; (4) The lightering location or zone to be used; (5) The estimated time of arrival in the lightering location or zone; (6) The estimated duration of transfer operations; and (7) The name and destination of service vessel(s). (b) In the event the estimated time of arrival in the lightering location or zone changes by more than six hours, the Master, owner or agent of each vessel to be lightered must advise the Captain of the Port of this change as soon as possible. (c) Where lightering is conducted as a result of collision, grounding, tank rupture or any similar emergency, immediate notice must be given to the Captain of the Port. (d) In addition to the other requirements in this section, the master, owner, or agent of a vessel that requires a Tank Vessel Examination (TVE) or other special Coast Guard inspection in order to lighter in a designated lightering zone must request the TVE or other inspection from the cognizant Captain of the Port at least 72 hours prior to commencement of lightering operations.