Without the hose or loading arm to the barge manifold connections, the job never even gets started.  Tankerman Duane Deen from the M/V KYLE A. SHAW looks at the finer point of hooking up the vapor and cargo hoses:  

When you and the dock man are ready to hook up the hoses you should verify the product you are loading. You do not want to start loading the wrong product or even hook up an incorrect hose. 

Always be sure to hook up your vapor hose first, then the dock man can begin warming up his vapor system so you can depressurize your barge. The next thing you need to do is uncover your drip pan. You also need to have the proper PPE in order to continue your operation safely. Hard hat and gloves are a must. The dock arm and hook will be hovering above your head so he sure to protect yourself.

When the hose is lowered into your general area keep a watchful eye so you are not hit by the hose or crane hook. Guide the dock man with vocal and hand signals. When the hose is in a safe enough area, stop the dock man so  you can safely attach your tag line to the hose. You can use this to help guide the hose to the drip pan. Once it is over the drip pan lower the hose onto the grating and then tie off your tagline. If the hose does move for any reason it should stay over the drip pan.

Tell the dock man not  to move the crane while you are working on the hose. When you begin, take the blind off your hose. Start at the bottom nut and continue up in an evenly matter on each side forming a smiley face. By doing it this way it will relieve any product or vapor pressure inside the hose. By opening the bottom first, it will allow any product to drain into the drip pan instead  of it getting on your face or onto the deck. Once you are sure the hose is depressurized remove the rest of the nuts until the blind is removed.

Always use a new gasket!! Next, be sure the vapor pin hole is in the 12'oclock position. Have the dock man  start slowly raising up the hose  to the proper position. Guide your hose  so  the vapor pin goes into the pin hole and you have at least one bolt in. Hand tighten the bolt so the hose will not slip off. Put the rest of your bolts in and hand tighten.

Once your hose is on and you are sure it is not going anywhere you can tell the dock man to lower his hook so you can remove the straps. Be careful and step back until the hook is safely out of your way and not overhead.

Use the above picture as a guide when tool tightening your bolts down. Doing this gives you a nice even tight seal against the gasket, it also helps prevent your gasket from becoming deformed or gaped on a certain side. After you have tightened the bolts double check your work, you can now untie your tagline and get ready for your cargo hose.

Hooking up your cargo hose has some of  of the same steps as hooking up your vapor hose. You still need your proper PPE, tag line, and your new gasket. Again you will give the dock man vocal and hand signals guiding the hose over until you can safely attach your tag line. Guide the cargo hose over to the grating until it is situated firmly and you can tie off your tag line. You will follow the same steps as above by removing the bottom bolt and working your way into a smile. Remember this is just in case there is product in the hose so it will go into the drip pan. Remove the rest of the bolts until your blind is removed.

Make sure you have a new gasket in place. Have the dock man raise the hose slowly in order to put your bolts on until all are in and hand tight. Again use this same step to get a nice even seal.

You should always be sure to put a hose wrap on your cargo line (sometimes called hose diapers) during transfers. Be sure they are cinched tight and tied during the entire operation.