33 CFR 155.750: Contents of vessel transfer procedures
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets out what the transfer procedures required by § 155.720 must contain. They must list products, describe transfer systems, assign duties and give procedures for key steps. More content is required if the vessel has a vapor control system or a tank overfill device.
Applies toThe section applies to the transfer procedures required by § 155.720, with added content when a vessel has a vapor control system or a cargo tank fitted with an overfill device.
What it says
The transfer procedures must list each product transferred to or from the vessel, with its generic or chemical name, its cargo information as described in § 154.310(a)(5)(ii) of this chapter, and the applicability of transfer procedures.
33 CFR 155.750(a)(1)“A list of each product transferred to or from the vessel, including the following information:”
The transfer procedures must describe each transfer system on the vessel, including a line diagram of the transfer piping and the location of the shutoff valve or other isolation device separating any bilge or ballast system from the transfer system.
33 CFR 155.750(a)(2)(ii)“The location of the shutoff valve or other isolation device that separates any bilge or ballast system from the transfer system; and”
The transfer procedures must state the number of persons required to be on duty during transfer operations.
33 CFR 155.750(a)(3)“The number of persons required to be on duty during transfer operations;”
The transfer procedures must include procedures for topping off tanks.
33 CFR 155.750(a)(7)“Procedures for topping off tanks;”
Exemptions or alternatives that have been granted must be placed in the front of the transfer procedures.
33 CFR 155.750(b)“Exemptions or alternatives granted must be placed in the front of the transfer procedures.”
The vessel operator must incorporate each amendment under § 155.760 with the related existing requirement, or at the end of the procedures if the amendment is not related to an existing requirement.
33 CFR 155.750(c)“The vessel operator shall incorporate each amendment to the transfer procedures under § 155.760 in the procedures with the related existing requirement, or at the end of the procedures if not related to an existing requirement.”
If a vessel is fitted with a vapor control system, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the vapor collection system on the vessel, with the items listed in paragraph (d).
33 CFR 155.750(d)“If a vessel is fitted with a vapor control system, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the vapor collection system on the vessel which includes:”
If a cargo tank of a tank vessel is fitted with an overfill device, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the overfill device, including pre-transfer inspection and test requirements.
33 CFR 155.750(e)“If a cargo tank of a tank vessel is fitted with an overfill device, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the overfill device, including:”
Common questions
Where do exemptions go in the transfer procedures?
Exemptions or alternatives that have been granted must be placed in the front of the transfer procedures.
“Exemptions or alternatives granted must be placed in the front of the transfer procedures.”
How must amendments be added to transfer procedures?
The vessel operator must incorporate each amendment under § 155.760 with the related existing requirement. If it is not related to an existing requirement, it goes at the end of the procedures.
“The vessel operator shall incorporate each amendment to the transfer procedures under § 155.760 in the procedures with the related existing requirement, or at the end of the procedures if not related to an existing requirement.”
What extra content is required if a vessel has a vapor control system?
The transfer procedures must contain a description of the vapor collection system on the vessel. That description includes the items listed in paragraph (d).
“If a vessel is fitted with a vapor control system, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the vapor collection system on the vessel which includes:”
Do transfer procedures have to cover topping off tanks?
Yes. The transfer procedures must contain procedures for topping off tanks.
“Procedures for topping off tanks;”
The text of 33 CFR 155.750
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Contents of transfer procedures
(a) The transfer procedures required by § 155.720 must contain, either in the order listed or by use of a cross-reference index page:
(1) A list of each product transferred to or from the vessel, including the following information:
(i) Generic or chemical name;
(ii) Cargo information as described in § 154.310(a)(5)(ii) of this chapter; and
(iii) Applicability of transfer procedures;
(2) A description of each transfer system on the vessel including:
(i) A line diagram of the vessel's transfer piping, including the location of each valve, pump, control device, vent, and overflow;
(ii) The location of the shutoff valve or other isolation device that separates any bilge or ballast system from the transfer system; and
(iii) A description of and procedures for emptying the discharge containment system required by §§ 155.310 and 155.320;
(3) The number of persons required to be on duty during transfer operations;
(4) The duties by title of each officer, person in charge, tankerman, deckhand, and any other person required for each transfer operation;
(5) Procedures and duty assignments for tending the vessel's moorings during the transfer of oil or hazardous material;
(6) Procedures for operating the emergency shutdown and communications means required by §§ 155.780 and 155.785, respectively;
(7) Procedures for topping off tanks;
(8) Procedures for ensuring that all valves used during the transfer operations are closed upon completion of transfer;
(9) Procedures for reporting discharges of oil or hazardous material into the water; and
(10) Procedures for closing and opening the vessel openings in § 155.815.
(11) Statements explaining that each hazardous materials transfer hose is marked with either the name of each product which may be transferred through the hose or with letters, numbers or other symbols representing all such products and the location in the transfer procedures where a chart or list of the symbols used and a list of the compatible products which may be transferred through the hose can be found for consultation before each transfer.
(b) Exemptions or alternatives granted must be placed in the front of the transfer procedures.
(c) The vessel operator shall incorporate each amendment to the transfer procedures under § 155.760 in the procedures with the related existing requirement, or at the end of the procedures if not related to an existing requirement.
(d) If a vessel is fitted with a vapor control system, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the vapor collection system on the vessel which includes:
(1) A line diagram of the vessel's vapor collection system piping, including the location of each valve, control device, pressure-vacuum relief valve, pressure indicator, flame arresters, and detonation arresters, if fitted;
(2) The location of spill valves and rupture disks, if fitted;
(3) The maximum allowable transfer rate determined in accordance with 46 CFR 39.3001(d)(1) through (3);
(4) The initial transfer rate for each tank that complies with 46 CFR 39.3001(g);
(5) A table or graph of transfer rates and corresponding vapor collection system pressure drops calculated in accordance with 46 CFR 39.3001(c);
(6) The relief settings of each spill valve, rupture disk, and pressure-vacuum relief valve; and
(7) A description of and procedures for operating the vapor collection system, including the:
(i) Pre-transfer equipment inspection requirements;
(ii) Vapor line connection;
(iii) Closed gauging system;
(iv) High level alarm system, if fitted; and
(v) Independent automatic shutdown system, if fitted.
(e) If a cargo tank of a tank vessel is fitted with an overfill device, the transfer procedures must contain a description of the overfill device, including:
(1) The tank overfill device system and specific procedures for the person in charge to—
(i) Monitor the level of cargo in the tank; and
(ii) Shut down transfer operations in time to ensure that the cargo level in each tank does not exceed the maximum amount permitted by § 155.775(b).
(2) Pre-transfer overfill device equipment inspection and test requirements.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625-0030)
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.