Determination of the Tankers’ Drift During STS Operation - Simulation Study

The safety of the tankers during the Ship-to-Ship operations carried out in shallow water close to port limit is influenced by many factors. Based on the experience of ship crew involved in STS operation it was found that area for such operation and weather analyses is the most important factors affecting the safety of the tankers. Wind speed and accompanying waves very often determine if such operation could be commenced. For the article simulations were carried out with maximum allowable wind speed and waves for such operation to obtain the drift of both tankers and capacity of area for STS operation. The results obtained from simulations allowed to assess the required space for tankers involved in STS operation.