Dual control emergency release system

An emergency release system for a fluid transfer system having a first valve and a second valve that is selectively fluidly coupled to the first valve, the emergency release system comprising:

• a breakaway coupler mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve to releasably couple the first valve and the second valve together, the breakaway coupler mechanism including a gate that retains the breakaway coupler mechanism on the first valve and the second valve when the gate is positioned in a locked position;
• an actuator mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve, the actuator mechanism including a gate actuator and a safety plate, the gate actuator configured to engage the gate of the breakaway coupler mechanism as the actuator mechanism moves from a connected state to a disconnected state, and the safety plate being positioned adjacent to the gate when the actuator mechanism is in the connected state to prevent an inadvertent actuation of the gate out of the locked position;
• and
• a piston-cylinder assembly configured to engage the actuator mechanism to selectively and simultaneously close the first and second valves, and to disengage the breakaway coupler mechanism from the first valve and the second valve.