ROSS A. GRAND

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide alarm notification when a low oil pressure condition exists. Low oil pressure alarms for both main engines were improperly set and were alarming at clutch speed. Adjust alarms to proper settings.

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. The following alarms must be provided: High bilge levels. The forward hold did not have a high level bilge alarm. Install alarm at next drydock.

For towing vessels with berthing aboard, a sufficient number of additional lifejackets must be carried so that a lifejacket is immediately available for persons at each normally manned watch station. 4 each w/lights and whistles on-board. 2 additional needed.

A towing vessel certificated for rivers must be equipped with an approved 160-B semi-portable fire extinguisher. Install semi-portable onboard.

Lifejackets must be equipped with approved life jacket lights. Install lights on all lifejackets onboard.

Machinery alarm setpoints must be tested twice every five years. Provide proof of machinery alarm setpoint testing.

Semi-portable fire extinguishers must be inspected or tested once every 12 months. Provide proof of inspection for the 160-B semi-portable extinguisher.

An exposed hazard such as rotating machinery must be protected by a guard or cover. Repair or replace guard for engine room intake fan.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an industrial type first aid cabinet or kit, appropriate to the size of the crew and operating conditions. Vessel was missing its first aid kit.

Vessels in maritime service must be licensed by the FCC. Ensure station license is attained and posted onboard prior to operating vessel.

The officer in charge of a navigational watch must conduct a navigation assessment. A navigation assessment entry must be recorded in the TVR or official logbook. Entries/worksheets for conducting a navigational assessment were incomplete. Ensure that officer in charge of vessel properly completes and records navigational assessments.

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation as outlined in 46 CFR 140.410. Safety orientations must be recorded in TVR or official logbook. Vessel master stated that new crewmembers have not completed safety orientations. Complete and record crew member safety orientations.

Marine employers shall establish programs for the chemical testing for dangerous drugs on a random basis of crewmembers on inspected vessels as per 46 CFR 16.230. Provide proof of random testing program or letter from drug testing consortium proving that master and crew members are part of a random drug testing program.

A towing vessel subject to Subchapter M and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the anniversary date of the COI. The annual inspection (after the initial certification on 30 OCT 2019) was due no later than 30 January 2021. Vessel may not operate until it receives an annual inspection.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons on-board under normal and emergency conditions. Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must: Be maintained to ensure proper operation. Port and Starboard main engines have failed due to high temps and mechanical seals allowing coolant water to leak internally on both engines causing both engines to hydro-lock and seize. This caused loss of propulsion to the vessel. Require findings report to reflect the complete report of damage found on both engines. Require complete repair of both port and starboard main engines. Require satisfactory inspection by local Marine Inspector to include an operational test to prove coolant system does not leak and both engines operate with in acceptable parameters.

The owner and managing operator must ensure that the towing vessel is in compliance with 46 CFR Subchapter M and other applicable laws and regulations at all times. During inspection for certification, found a multitude of deficiencies and substandard conditions that render the vessel unfit for service.

Each vessel must have a Certificate of Documentation bearing a valid endorsement. Onboard COD was expired.

Each towing vessel must carry at least one appropriately-sized lifejacket for each person on board. There were no Type I Life Jackets onboard.

To stop the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the fuel line, a remote fuel shut off valve must be installed directly outside fuel oil supply tank. Starboard MDE remote fuel shut off broke during operation. Additionally, valves are located more than 6 feet away from fuel source. Repair and relocate fuel shut off valves for both MDEs adjacebt to fuel source.

No person may operate a non-oceangoing ship of 100 gross tons and above that is fitted with main or auxiliary machinery spaces in the navigable waters of the United States unless the ship has at least one pump installed to discharge oily mixtures through a fixed piping system to a reception facility. Vessel is not equipped with a means to discharge oily waste. Provide required equipment and configuration as per 33 CFR 155.410 and method to discharge oily waste to a reception facility.

Any towing vessel with overnight accommodations must identify the duties and duty stations of each person onboard during an emergency. Duties were not outlined or written anywhere.

A towing vessel must carry a combination of 3 day and 3 night visual distress signals. No visual distress signals were aboard vessel.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an industrial type first aid cabinet or kit appropriate to the size of the crew. All first aid kit items were expired.

Log entries must be made for the following: 1) Safety Orientation (46 CFR 140.410) 2) Drills (46 CFR 140.420) 3) Pre-U/W Checks (46 CFR 140.615) 4) Nav Assess/Safety Tr.(46 CFR 140.635) 5) Inspect Towing Gear (46 CFR 140.820) 6) Machinery Tests (46 CFR 143.245) No logs or TVR exist at this time. Proper logkeeping must be established including all above items.

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet, must be fitted with a floating electric water light. Only one buoy was outfitted with a light and both lifebuoys were in disrepair.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with a means to detect smoke in the berthing spaces and lounges that alerts individuals in those spaces. Several berthing smoke detectors were not operational, PE letter was missing for detection system, and record of system test not available.

Frame or support of any semi-portable 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. 160-B Extinguisher was not secured.

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. Stern light was not operating.

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. Install guards around air compressor belts in the engine room.

Emergency lighting must be provided for all internal crew working and living areas. No emergency lighting installed anywhere on vessel. Install emergency lighting in all internal crew working and living areas.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with at least two portable, battery-powered lights. One must be located in the pilothouse and the other at the access to the engine room. Equip vessel with required emergency portable lights.

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure all bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. Plastic drain plug on starboard MDE fuel filter is leaking, causing fuel to accumulate in the bilge. Replace both MDE fuel filter drain plugs with metallic fitting and metallic flame bowl guards.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Repair wiring on pressure switch for starboard MDE. Remove all unused, loose, cut-off wiring and close open junction boxes throughout machinery spaces.

Electrical equipment must be marked with its respective current and voltage ratings. Mark current and voltage ratings on feeder panels throughout vessel.

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must be maintained to ensure proper operation. repair leaking shaft packing on both port and starboard propulsion shafts.

Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose from vibration. Replace wiring for hot water heater and engine room exhaust.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Provide adequate hose clamps on air lines for vessel's control air supply.

Towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for intended voyage. Provide up-to-date charts and CG light list.

Towing vessel must be equipped with a search light, contollable fromn the vessel's operating station and capable of illuminating objects at a distance of at least two times the length of the tow. Fix or replace starboard searchlight.

Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks accessible to crew. Install hand grabs or rails near bulwarks.

Each ship subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must have onboard a radio operator who holds a restricted radiotelephone operator permit or higher class license. Mster must present a permit upon request.

Ships of 40' or more in length, or equipped with a galley and berthing, must have a writted Waste Management Plan. Vessel must designate the person who is in charge of carrying out the plan and describe procedures.

The master or person in charge of a ship to which this section apples shall insure that one or more placards meeting the requirements of this section are displayed. Vessel must display a garbage placard at least 8" wide by 5" high.

No later than July 22, 2019, the owner or managing operator must implement a health and safety plan. Provide a Health and Safety Plan that includes record keeping procedures.

Fuel shut-off valves must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed. Mechanism for both generator shutoff valves casue fuel piping to flex and wiggle when pulled. Better support generator fuel piping to prevent damage and ensure proper operation of remote fuel shut-off vlaves.

Paints, coatings, or other flammable or combustible products onboard a towing vessel must be stored in a designated storage room or cabinet when not in use. Provide means in accordance with 46 CFR 142.225 to store all flammable and combustible products onboard.

Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery spaces and for closing the ventilation openings in case of fire. Install means to close engine room ventilation ports.

Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room. Establish means that provides two-way voice communication and calling between the pilothouse and the engine room.

Any piping that penetrates the hull below the waterline must be fitted with an accessible valve, located as close to the hull penetration as is practicable for preventing the accidental admission of water into the vessel either through such pipes or in the event of a fracture of such pipe. Provide isolation valve on the fire pump suction line as close to the sea chest hull penetration as possible.

Hydraulic steering fluid presure gage must be installed at machinery location. Repair broken presure gage.

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. Provide menas of labeling and/or color coding piping for required systems.

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. Demonstrate alarms tests for low lube oil pressure on MDE's and high jacket water temperature on MDE's and generators.

Each towing vessel must have a means to monitor and control the amount of thrust at each operating station. Establish means to monitor and/or calculate the amount of propulsion thrust from the vessel's operating station.

The following systems must be equipped with gages at the machinery location: Main engine RPM, lubricating oil pressure, and cooling water temperature. Provide required gages for both MDE's.