MFS SHIFTER

Electrical systems must minimize system failures, fire and shock hazards. Electrical equipment must be marked. Individual circuit breakers must be labeled. Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose through vibration or accidental contact. Electrical equipment and electric wires must be suitably protected from wet environments. Electrical components posing an electrical hazard must be in an enclosure. Electrical components passing through watertight bulkheads must be installed so that the bulkhead remains watertight. Connections of flex cable plugs must be designed to prevent unintended separation. There were numerous wires and cables in the bridge (below equipment panel) and in the engine room that were spliced, dead-end and exposed and not in a junction box, posing a fire and shock hazard. Wiring was loose and not suitably installed. Electrical connections were not labeled or marked. Vessel is required to put dead end/spliced cables in junction boxes or remove them. Vessel is required to ensure that cables and wiring are suitably affixed so as not to come loose, to include elimination of loose extension cords.

Vessel is required to to have circuitbreakers and switch boards labeled with a description of the loads they serve. Circuit breakers were not properly labeled. Marker used to list out potential loads did not properly identify which circuit breaker went to which load. Vessel required to properly mark all circuit breakers

Piping for flammable or combustible liquid, seawater cooling, or firefighting systems must be fitted with isolation valves that are clearly marked by labeling or color coding that enables the crew to identify its function. Any valve that penetrates the full below the waterline must be clearly marked by labeling or color coding that enables the crew to identify its function. Piping systems and valves throughout engine room were not color coded or labeled as required. Vessel is required to label and color code all valves and piping systems for flammable or combustible liquid, seawater cooling, firefighting, as well as valves penetrating the hull below the waterline.

Each lifeline on a lifebuoy must be of a dark color if synthetic or of a type to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light. While conducting a deck walk, the Marine Inspector identified the lifeline on the port side ring buoy was significantly deteriorated and needs to be replaced. Vessel is to replace lifeline on port side ring buoy.

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. Air conditioning units penetrating the house did not have covers and one unit was missing louvers. Vessel is required to provide closure devices to protect openings where air conditioning units are mounted from excessive water ingress.

Each towing vessel must comply with 46 CFR part 4 for reporting marine casualties and retaining voyage records. Vessel unable to provide a log for known date of recent reportable marine casualty. Vessel is required to maintain voyage records related to marine casualties and to place onboard missing documentation from recent marine casualty.

All equipment must be used in accordance with manufacturer's recommended practice. Equipment not in working order must be removed. The vessel must be kept in a sanitary condition. Crew accommodation and work space must provide for safe operation of vessel and protection and accommodation of crew. There were numerous tripping hazards throughout vessel incl garbage & broken materials strewn about deck, incl out of service tools and broken chair. Fan hanging by a cord in engine room and not in accordance with manufacturers rec practice. Vessel to remove garbage, stow out of use equipment and remove or properly mount fan. See also 46 CFR 144.700

Electrical equipment must be protected from wet and corrosive environments. Cord for electrical in engine room was located in water (in bottom of bilge - while plugged in) creating electrical hazard. Vessel to remove any electrical cords in bige.

Electrical equipment and cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments. Closure devices must be provided for hull penetrations/deckhouse penetrations. There were drill holes in area where wiring in pilot house was located resulting in water ingress and mold around electrical cables. Pilot house electrical cables must be made water tight. See also 46 CFR 144.320

VESSEL DID NOT HAVE THE OFFICIAL NUMBERS PERMANETLY MARKED ONBOARD.

A COPY OF THE INLAND NAVIGATION RULES WERE NOT ON BOARD THE VESSEL.

VESSEL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER SIZE BELL INSTALLED.