LONA MYRICK

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. This is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel. Both main engine flywheels were exposed and need machinery guards.

The master of each towing vessel must keep an accurate list of crew members and their assigned positions and responsibilities aboard the vessel including the times when each watch stander assumes and is relieved of the watch in accordance with 46 CFR 140.400. There was nothing recorded that listed the positions of each person on board and the times when they assumed and were relieved of the watch. Properly maintain records of all crew members in the Towing Vessel Record (TVR) and as listed in 46 CFR 140.405 to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to August 29, 2023.

Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crew member must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with navigational safety terms and duties in accordance with 46 CFR 140.645. Although each new employee is required to have a new hire orientation, this orientation did not specifically did not meet all the elements of that training listed in 46 CFR 140.645(a)(1-6) for both deckhands on the vessel. Conduct the training and log in the TVR to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to August 29, 2023.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that fire drills are conducted and instructions are given every month to ensure that all crew members are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. The crew was not conducting fire drills every month as required. Conduct fire drills each month and record the date, general description of the drill and the crew members that participated into the Towing Vessel Record (TVR) to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to August 29, 2023.

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage in accordance with 46 CFR 140.705. The master was unable to pull up the navigation publications (Coast Pilot and Light List) for the area of operation. Provide either a hard copy of the latest editions of the Coast Pilot, Volume 4 and the USCG Light List, Volume III or demonstrate the ability to retrieve them from the Rose Point system to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to August 29, 2023.

Each lifebuoy on a towing vessel must be marked with the vessel's name in block capital letters in accordance with 46 CFR 141.360(b)(4). The name of the vessel on both life ring buoys was faded and illegible. Properly mark the name of the vessel on each life ring buoy to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to August 29, 2023.

There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering on all towing vessels in accordance with 46 CFR 143.275. During an operational test of the fixed bilge dewatering system on board, the crew was unable to demonstrate proper operation of the bilge pump. Make repairs to the bilge pump and demonstrate proper operation of the same to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to July 6, 2022.

Each towing vessel must be fitted with a general alarm and a supplemental flashing red light in the engine room where background noise makes a general alarm hard to hear in accordance with 46 CFR 143.235(b)(3). A red flashing light was installed in the upper level in the engine room but was not visual in the lower level of the engine room in the forward section. Install a red flashing light in the lower level of the engine roomn that will alert the crew of an emergency to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to July 6, 2022

Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights, shapes, and sound signals 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. There was no stern light installed with a visual radius of 135 degrees. The vessel has two amber lights in a vertical line; however, the stern light is missing whenever the vessel is transiting light ship in accordance with 33 CFR 83.24(a)(iii). Install a stern light and demonstrate proper operation to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to July 6, 2022.

Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crew member must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with navigational safety terms and duties in accordance with 46 CFR 140.645. There is no record in the TVR that documents navigation safety training for the [name withheld], an uncredentialed deck hand on the vessel. Properly conduct and document the navigation safety training for the above mentioned crew member before assuming any navigational watch and record in the TVR to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to July 6, 2022.

This vessel was observed operating on the Savannah River. The Certificate of Inspection for this towing vessel was issued to the owner, War Admiral LLC and the operator, Turn Services LLC. The vessel was sold and has been operating with an invalid Certificate of Inspection because of the change in ownership. In addition, the vessel was operating under its previous operators Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) which is no longer applicable. Prior to operating your vessel in any capacity in the service of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside, or any combination of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside, you must be inspected and issued a new Certificate of Inspection for the current managing operating company.

missing placard for general alarm, and flashing red light in eng rm.

vessel name needs to be stenciled on lifejackets.

Vessel name needs to be stenciled on the Ring Buoys.

fuel shutoff valve not properly labeled.

Properly monitor barge while moored fully loaded.