AGGIE C

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. The vessel reported a loss of propulsion of the PORT main engine while pushing 08 barges. Vessel operator was able to immediately restart the engine. The vessel is not to conduct towing of any cargo until the intermittent fault is identified and repaired.

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. The vessel reported a loss of propulsion of the STBD main engine. The reporting source also stated that multiple shutdowns have occurred over the past 10 days. Local engine tech have been dispatched with negative results. The vessel is not to conduct towing of any cargo until the intermittent fault is identified and repaired.

Fire-detection systems. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(8) of this section, each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. The owner or managing operator must ensure the following: (2) The system is installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's design manual. Provide documentation that newly installed heat detectors have been tested in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Until newly installed heat detectors can be tested, the crew will conduct and log rounds of the engine room every 60 minutes while underway.

The design of the system and its installation on the towing vessel is certified and inspected by a registered professional engineer with experience in fire-detection system design, by a technician with qualifications as a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) level IV fire alarm engineering technician, or by an authorized classification society with equivalent experience, to comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section. Provide proof that the current arrangement of the fire detection system to include all newly installed components is certified and inspected by a registered professional engineer with experience in fire-detection system design, by a technician with qualifications as a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) level IV fire alarm engineering technician, or by an authorized classification society with equivalent experience. The certification letter must include verification that the fire-detection system as a whole with the new detectors installed, meets the requirements of 46 CFR 142.330(a)(1) thru (6).

29JAN22, vessel developed 03 holes in the Forward void allowing water to enter space near Hennepin, IL. Temporary repair was conducted by company engineers and vessel was moved to Lemont, IL for repair. Vessel is restricted from conducting any barge movement operations. Vessel is authorized to move from south slip to IMT Shipyard for repairs. Vessel rep is to notify local OCMI when repairs are to begin.

Two lifebouys found on port side without vessel's name, as required by 46 CFR 141.360(b)(4). The attending inspector asked how non-conformities are documented, and the Master stated he would report verbally to the Supply department or by email a request to resolve the issue. The vessel's TSMS requires non-conformities to be recorded and cleared via the CENTEX (maintenance) system. The vessel crew failed to follow TSMS for identifying and clearing non-conformities.

Approximately 1.5 feet of water was found in bow void. Upon further questioning, the vessel master was not aware of the water in the space. The deckhand stated water was in the space when he checked it earlier in the day. The deckhand failed to report the water to the master at that time. When questioned about ballast water, the master stated that the vessel must ballast for various reasons, including maintaining trim and air draft. Master could not locate TSMS guidance to comply with 46 CFR 140.605 for stability. The vessel's master and port captain could not produce a ballast water management plan, or any records for ballast water. The vessel has not kept proper ballast water records in accordance with the regulations, nor does the TSMS address void inspection as part of the watertight integrity requirements.

The vessel's master presented a drill record as proof of completion of a fire drill dated 29 MAY 2019. The document showed that the space chosen for the fire drill was the engine room. The document specifically listed that the ventilation, ventilation closures, fuel shut off valves, activition of the general alarm and testing of fire detection alarms were not conducted. Vessel must conduct fire drills onboard vessel for a scenario as defined in 46 CFR 142.245.

Vessel's emergency lighting is rated at 90 minutes. Provide proof that the lighting is rated at 2 hours or provide onboard emergency lighting with a 2 hour rating or install phosphoresent liighting strips on egress routes.

As a result of the non-conformities noted during the expanded exam conducted during the initial inspection for certification, the Coast Guard is directing that an External Audit of the vessel be conducted as a condition of removing the vessel detention.

Vessell is required to have two operational MDE's port engine is non operational. Demonstrate proper operation of port MDE prior to cunducting towing operations.

Remote Fuel Oil Shut Off's need operating instructions at pull point per 46 CFR 27.207

Oil transfer procedures required to be in compliance with 33 CFR 155.750

Remote Fuel Oil Shut Off needs to be located near the tank as required under 46 CFR 27.207

Flame screen needs to be replaced in fuel tank vent (port #3) as required under 46 CFR 27.211(d)(1)

Provide proof that fire detection system is certified by a Professional Engineer or Classification Society as required under 46 CFR 27.203(g)