BARGE 2000

Vessel must be operated in such a manner as to afford adequate precaution against hazards that might endanger the vessel and the persons being transported. Stern fire station fire hose, required by 46 CFR 181.320, holed and leaked under pressure.

All machinery and equipment must be installed and maintained. Bilge system, required by 46 CFR 182.510, failed to evacuate water from voids #5 & 7. In addition, plastic containers used to test bilge pick ups, had not been removed from around bilge pickups in voids #5, 6, & 7. Failure to remove the containers isolates the bilge pick up from the void.

All machinery and equipment must be installed and maintained. Bilge pick up strainer in void #7, required by 46 CFR 182.510, was wasted beyond effectiveness.

The name of the vessel must be marked in clearly legible letters on each buoyant apparatus. The marking of the vessel's name on each life ring (3) was severely faded.

Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks of a vessel accessible to passengers or crew. The forward, starboard side gate, located along periphery of vessel, is attached to deck railing by two hinges. The lower hinge was wasted and no longer attached the gate to the railing.

For vessels having a square bow, the name of the vessel must be marked on some clearly visible exterior part of the bow in a manner to avoid obliteration (may be made by the use of any means and materials which result in durable markings, must be made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals not less than four inches in height). Bow marked with vessel name only on starboard side; not visible from opposite side of vessel.

A vessel must be operated in such a manner as to afford adequate precaution against hazards that might endanger the vessel and the persons being transported. An approximate 1/2-inch hole in the bottom plate of the number one void compromised the vessel's watertight integrity and flooded the void. Submit repair proposal and make permanent repairs (within 30 days from date of this CG-835). Vessel authorized to continue in service with approved temporary repair effected to damaged hull plate provided void remains watertight and void is checked at least daily (when in operation). Changes to the condition of the void or temporary repair shall be reported immediately to USCG Sector UMR via the Command Center at [phone withheld].

Two of the vessel's required complement of portable fire extinguishers were overcharged as indicated on the extinguisher's gauge and required to be replaced.

Portable fire extinguishers approved for marine use required to be in a suitable bracket as defined by 46 CFR 162.028-3. One of the vessel's required complement of portable fire extinguishers was mounted in a broken bracket and bracket was not suitable for marine use. Mount fire extinguisher in a suitable bracket acceptable for marine use.

The master of a vessel shall keep a correct, written count of all passengers that embark on and disembark from the vessel. Prior to departing on a voyage, the passenger count must be communicated verbally or in writing, and available ashore at the vessel's normal berthing location or with a representative of the owner or managing operator of the vessel. There is no means available to communicate passenger count ashore prior to departures. Incorporate means to properly communicate count ashore prior to each departure.

Ferry vessel is required to have a valid COI for transportation of passengers. Vessel's COI expired 23 Feb 2020. Vessel is required to be made available for inspection and receive a Certificate of Inspection prior to returning to passenger transportation services.

Vessel required to have a fire pump. Fire pump failed during operational test. Prior to operating with passenger, prove proper operation of the vessel's fixed fire pump.

Vessel required to have two fixed bilge pumps. During operational test both bilge pumps failed to operate. Prove proper operation of both bilge pumps and all bilge pickups.

Vessel must carry either a first-aid kit approved under approval series 46 CFR 160.041 or a kit with equivalent contents and instructions. Kit on board vessel failed to have all required items. Inventory and properly stock (IAW 46 CFR 160.041) first aid kit.

Vessel crew required to undergo drills and training on their duties during an emergency (fire, man overboard, abandon ship) at a minimum of once every three months and documented to include date of training and general description of training topics for each crew member. Conduct training and provide proper documentation of training.

Submit proper plan approval to CG MSO St. Louis from a certified professional engineer for your newly installed tow coupling lifting post, proving strength, affects on vessels stability, and any other factors it may have on the vessels hull or coupling prior to future use.