AURORA

Where practicable and except as provided in § 144.515, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape. Install emergency exit in engine room. 46CFR144.500

Piping and machinery components that exceed 220 °C (428 °F), including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers, must be insulated. Install lagging on both main diesel engines and Both generators. 46CFR143.220 (b)

Electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Install battery boxes for both generators.

Machinery systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel. Install air filter on STBD generator. 46CFR143.205 (a)

Machinery systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard. Install guard on STBD engine vibration dampener. 46CFR143.205 (a)

Machinery systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard. Install piping that directs hot water heaters relieve valve exhaust to bilge. 46CFR143.205 (a)

All bilges and void spaces must be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials. Excessive oil, oil-soaked dirt and debris and was found in the bilge. Remove excess oil, oil-soaked dirt and debris from vessel bilge. 46 CFR 142.220(a)

Piping components that exceed 220 degrees C, including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbocharges, must be insulated. Both port and starboard main engine exhaust lagging was unsecured. Secure both engines’ exhaust lagging. 46 CFR 143.220(b)

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Found in the forward most void space a wasted junction box, unsupported wires, and light fixtures with exposed bulbs. Replace junction box, support wires, and provide protection covers for light bulbs. 46 CFR 143.400(a)

Electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons on board. Starboard generator starting batteries and charger were loose, secure all components. Port and Starboard generator starting batteries are missing covers, install battery covers. 46 CFR 143.205(a)

Machinery must be maintained to provide safe operation of the towing vessel under normal and emergency conditions. The propulsion engines are started by air pressure and engine speed and direction controlled by air pressure. The port and starboard engine room pressure vessel popped style relief valves are 175 psi MAWP. The starboard relief valve relieved at 195 psi and did not reset after the air pressure fell to 50 psi, at which point it relief valve was closed by hand. The port pressure vessel relief valve relieved at 190 psi and reset at 150 psi. Industry standards for relief valve is to open and close is within +/- 10 of the MAWP (192.5 - 157.5 psi). Renew both pressure vessel relief valves. 46 CFR 143.205(a)

All installed bilge piping must have check/foot valves in each bilge suction that prevents unintended back flooding through bilge piping. Remove engine room deck plating and make bilge suctions and check valves available for inspection. 46 CFR 143.275

Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights in accordance with COLREGS or 33 CFR 84. Vessel stern mast light tree is dirty from exhaust. Clean navigation light lenses. 46 CFR 140.720

The owner of a towing vessel must ensure that the vessel’s lifesaving equipment complies with the applicable requirements of parts 141 and 142 of this subchapter and is in good working order. On the 01 deck on the port quarter nearest the operating station the life buoy lanyard was wasted, and the water light did not operate. Replace lanyard and repair or replace water light. 46 CFR 140.650

The owner of a towing vessel must ensure that the vessel’s fire suppression equipment complies with the applicable requirements of parts 141 and 142 of this subchapter and is in good working order. Found that the #3 fire extinguisher bracket, main ladder well has a broken securing device. Repair or replace securing device. 46 CFR 140.650

The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner meeting the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners. 01 Able Seaman and 01 Ordinary Seaman did not have valid medical certificates on board, MMC reference numbers 8531143 and 2528848. Provided valid medical certificates prior to them working on the vessel under commercial operation. 46 CFR 10.301(a)

Closure devices must be provided for deckhouse or hull penetrations, which open to the exterior of the vessel and which may allow water to enter the vessel. These devices must be suitable for the expected route. Port main deck watertight door leading to the engine compartment was found to be warped and unable to provide watertight integrity.

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists or an essential system develops problems that require attention. Alarms must be visible and audible at each operating station. Audible alarms located at bridge for vessel essential systems including MDE, Aux gen, bilge and hydraulic steering were present but faint requiring volume adjustment to ensure recognition during normal operations.

The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions. The semi-portable fire extinguisher was secured to a railing and not permanently attached. In addition the frame was found to be rusted and wasted requiring replacement.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard. Install fuel containment bowls under port and starboard generator fuel filters.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights, in accordance with the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) or 33 CFR part 84 as appropriate to its area of operation. Navigation lights on mast and stern of vessel are dirty and discolored from exhaust. Requires cleaning or replacement.

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards. Propane cylinder on aft main deck was not secured to the bulkhead properly. Cylinder was removed from vessel during inspection and wont be placed on board until a proper securing device is available.

The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the following: The strength of each component used for securing the towing vessel to the tow and for making up the tow is adequate for its intended service. Stern towing cable has visible tares on its outer shell. Replace wire. 46CFR140.801(a).

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard. Install fuel impeachment bowls on Port generator. 46CFR143.205 (a)

Vessel's fire detection must be certified by a Professional Engineer, NICET technician, or authorized class society under subchapter M. Vessel does not have record demonstrating compliance of installed system.

Electrical equipment must minimize system failure and fire and shock hazards. Bus bridge must be installed to prevent both generators from operating simultaneously.

Electrical equipment must minimize system failure and fire and shock hazards. Bus bridge must be installed to prevent both generators from operating simultaneously.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an appropriate first aid kit. Several medications are outdated.

Electrical equipment must minimize system failure and fire and shock hazards. Batteries were found unsecured under the computer.

Towing vessels must be equipped with a proper compass. Compass deviation is from 27Feb2018.

Line throwing appliances must be approved under 160.040. Vessel is missing 3 line throwing appliances.

Electrical equipment must minimize system failure and fire and shock hazards. Surge protector cannot be daisy chained.

Electrical equipment must minimize system failure and fire and shock hazards. Light covers were found to be missing around the ship.

An individual must pass a chemical test prior to employment. Temporary employees did not conduct required drug testing.

Vessel must ensure EAP training is conducted. 60 minutes of supervisory training was not completed.

Vessel must have EAP for all crewmembers. Vessel did not have training poster posted.

Vessel must record drills. Vessel was found to be missing records of drills.

Pryotechnics must be carried at the operating station. Pryotechnics were found stored in the computer room.

While vessel was towing a barge the winch let go un-spooling the entire towrope. At this time the actual cause of the incident is unknown. Vessel is having a surveyor attend the vessel to assist in the identification and repair of the problem.

DEMONSTRATE PROPER OPERATION OF VESSEL THROTTLE CONTROLS PRIOR TO OPERATION(MANEUVERING) OF VESSEL.