A supertanker is too large to get within 60 miles of shore in the Gulf of Mexico so there are lightering zones setup for the operations. They are about 12 or so miles square. The fenders are set out alongside the supertanker and the two ship get moving about 8 knots as they brought together. They stop and the supertanker drops anchor while they pump crude to the shuttle tanker. Then they again get underway at about 6 knots as they separate. Some time the gear is used for several lighterings or only one. We may have to set out the string twice on the same supertanker depending on the contract and the fendering company etc.