Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/578020
53 Fall 2015 Proceedings www.uscg.mil/proceedings Moreover, the liquefed natural gas shipping indus- try continues to expand and introduce new tech- nologies. Larger ships with new types of propulsion systems are now in service, and the feet continues to grow apace. For example, foating storage and regasifcation units and foating liquefed natural gas vessels are also now part of the industry. 1 Challenges Of course, new technology can engender new chal- lenges, including assuring trainers are able to pro- vide the required number of trained and compe- tent shore staff and vessel crews needed in an era of unprecedented growth. Fortunately, Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) competency standards provide operators with guidance as to the spe- cifc competencies each crewmember should possess, with similar competency guidance available for terminal opera- tors and their staff. Outreach Additionally, outreach is extremely important, as the public needs to understand that liquefed natural gas carriers are not "foating bombs." As an example, in a potential fre acci- dent, refrigerated liquefed gas can burn until fuel is con- sumed, but the tanks are highly unlikely to explode. These vessels are robust ships soundly designed, constructed, and well equipped with safety and emergency systems. That said, liquefed gas cargo handling procedures can be complex, and the cargo itself is potentially hazardous. For these reasons, personnel operating gas carriers and gas berths require complete ship and shore equipment and cargo property knowledge. They also must follow good operating procedures that include emergency plans. The industry members must continue to make appropriate use of the robust safety regime that has been established, and it is incumbent upon the shipping industry to adapt it to suit particular circumstances (such as using LNG as a marine fuel) to preserve the exceptional safety record the LNG shipping industry currently enjoys. About the author: Mr. Andrew Clifton is the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators Ltd. (SIGTTO) general manager and chief operating offcer. Pre- viously, he was the SIGTTO panel chairman. He has more than 30 years of experience in the liquefed gas shipping industry, including 19 years at sea, three years at the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch, two years in the SIGTTO Secretariat as a technical adviser, and more than fve years as LNG shipping operations manager for the BP Tangguh LNG project. Endnote: 1. These platforms allow the gas to be regasifed on the unit itself. The foating storage and regasifcation unit is essential LNG infrastructure. For more information: History and statistics courtesy of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators Ltd. Visit the website at www. sigtto.org.