The ship to ship operation procedure or the STS (Ship-to-Ship) transfer of oil, as well as dry bulk cargoes, is a fairly common practice these days given the size of the ships has increased four folds in the past few decades. Theories and experience have time and again proven that observance and adherence to proper procedures, given fair weather and sea can result in such a potentially dangerous operation conclude safely.
Either the ships can stand still or the STS operation can also be performed while ships are underway. But it requires proper coordination, equipment and approval to perform such operation. Both the masters of the ships are responsible for the entire STS operation
