Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The purpose of this thesis is to lay the foundation for analyzing structural coupling effects for a proposed trolley interface between a ship and a roll-on roll-off discharge facility (RRDF). Such a facility could allow heavy cargo transfer at higher sea states. Previous studies have analyzed motions assuming that there is no structural coupling between the trolley and the RRDF. A mathematical model that incorporates structural coupling is developed using the principle of virtual work. In order to assess the degree of necessity for the proposed model we conduct a systematic series of numerical experiments. In these calculations we model the trolley through a generalized stiffness coefficient and assess its influence on RRDF motions. It is shown that modeling of structural coupling may be necessary depending on the relative order of magnitude of trolley structural rigidity and trolley placement. / Major, Republic of Singapore Navy