LOOSEN UP

A vessel must be provided with a main steering gear that is capable of moving the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed. Received report of steering failure while vessel was operating with passengers on board, requiring towing to dock. 46 CFR 182.610(a)(3)

Shutoff valves, installed so as to close against the fuel flow, must be fitted in the fuel supply lines, one at the tank connection and one at the engine end of the fuel line to stop fuel flow when servicing accessories. The shutoff valve at the tank must be manually operable from outside the compartment in which the valve is located, preferably from an accessible position on the weather deck. If the handle to the shutoff valve at the tank is located inside the machinery space, it must be located so that the operator does not have to reach more than 12 inches into the machinery space and the valve handle must be shielded from flames by the same material the hull is constructed of, or some noncombustible material. Vsl's fuel shut-off handles for both fuel tanks were located inside the engine space and were not accessible without opening the engine cover that protects the space itself. Provide a written proposal to address deficiency. Repairs or alterations that affect the safety of the vessel must not be made without the approval of the cognizant OCMI.

Each ring life buoy with a floating waterlight must have a lanyard of at least 3- 6 ft in length securing the waterlight around the body of the ring life buoy. Each floating waterlight must be attached to the lanyard with a corrosion-resistant clip. The clip must have a strength of at least 50 lbs & allow the waterlight to be quickly disconnected from the ring life buoy. Vsl's life ring had insufficient length for waterlight's lanyard & had no corrosion-resistant clip.

Each item of survival craft equipment must be of good quality, and efficient for the purpose it is intended to serve. The floating waterlight must be attached around the body of the life float or buoyant apparatus by a 3/8 inch lanyard, resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light, and at least 18 feet in length. Vsl's lanyard for the life float waterlight was insufficient in length.

Placards containing instructions for the donning and use of the life jackets aboard the vessel must be posted in conspicuous places that are regularly accessible and visible to the crew and passengers. No life jacket placards were posted in any part of the vsl upon inspection.