JEFFREY M

Towing vessels must be equipped with an illuminated magnetic compass or illuminated swing meter. At the time of inspection - vessel is awaiting install of a new magnetic compass. Install is taking place 01July2025.

When an auto pilot is used in areas of high traffic density, restricted visibility or other hazardous navigational condition - must ensure it meets the requirements: (a)(b)(c). Pilot alerter is awaiting install on 01July 2025.

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when emergency conditions exist. Aft void bilge high level alarm did not notify at the operating station upon actuation.

A towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches must have a means/system to detect when its master or mate becomes incapacitated. At the time of inspection the vessel is awaiting install of the new pilot alerter. Install is taking place on 01July2025.

Operation of transmitters of any ship station must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit of the class required below. Operator did not have radio operator permit. 47 CFR 80.177

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings and electrical equipment and systems must; be maintained to ensure proper operations. Vessel had a steady stream of water coming from each shaft seal. 46 CFR 143.205

46 USC 8104 (h) A master or mate (PILOT) operating a towing vessel that is at least 8 meters must work not more than 12 hours in a consecutive 24 hour period except in an emergency. vessel was found with multiple days that this work period was exceeded, some as much as 17.5 hours. Vessel must complete training with crew and properly man vessel to prevent master or mates from working more than 12 hours. Submit corrective plan of action. 46 CFR 15.705

Vessel must have the ability to test for alcohol in 2 hours nor more than 8 following a serious marine incident in accordance with 49 CFR pART 40. The alcohol testing device onboard is not approved in accordance with 40 CFR Part 40. Replace the alcohol testing device with one listed as approved. 46 CFR 4.06-20

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must: (1) Be maintained to ensure proper operation; (2) Be suitable for route and service; and (3) Have suitable propulsion controls to provide the operator full control at each operating station. Steering gear bracket has cracked at the weld seam making it inoperable. 46 CFR 143.205 (c)

The owner and managing operator must ensure that the towing vessel is in compliance with this subchapter and other applicable laws and regulations at all times. Objective evidence indicates company is not proactively managing the vessel’s compliance and the vessel is being operated in substantial noncompliance with applicable requirements of this subchapter as detailed in the follow deficiencies.

All portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems, fire-detection systems, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems, including ventilation, machinery shutdowns, and fixed fire-extinguishing system pressure-operated dampers on board the vessel, must be inspected or tested at least once every 12 months. The fire detection system has not been serviced properly within the last 12 months. Provide servicing report attesting to inspection or testing of fire detection system to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. All distress signals were expired. Obtain new distress signals.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with at least one fire axe that is readily accessible for use from the exterior of the vessel. The vessel did not have a fire axe onboard the vessel. Install a fire axe onboard the vessel to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

Each towing vessel must carry at least one appropriately-sized lifejacket, approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, 160.155, or 160.176, for each person on board. Vessel only had 4 life jackets onboard and require 6 as per their COI. Obtain 2 additional life jackets and properly enter them into service.

Each towing vessel operating in those regions must carry at least one appropriate-size immersion suit, approved under approval series 160.171, for each person onboard. Vessel only had 5 immersion suits onboard and require 6 as per their COI. Obtain an additional immersion suit and properly enter it into service.

A 40–B portable fire extinguisher must be located near the storage room or cabinet. This is in addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by tables 142.230(a) and 142.230(b) of this part. There is no 40-B portable fire extinguisher located near the paint locker behind the wheelhouse. Install a suitable fire extinguisher to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

Portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with the inspection, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests required by Chapters 7 and 8 of NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. The dry chemical portable fire extinguisher in the passageway outside the berthing rooms does not have a charge. Re-charge or replace the portable fire extinguisher to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

The officer in charge of a navigational watch must conduct a navigation assessment for the intended route and operations prior to getting underway. The navigation assessment must incorporate the requirements of pilothouse resource management of § 140.640, assess operational risks, and anticipate and manage workload demands. Objective evidence indicates that the crew is not conducting navigation assessments as required.

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on... Onboard master had been employed for over two weeks and had yet to be provided with a safety orientation. Provide record of missing orientation material.

The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the following: Emergency procedures related to the tow have been developed and appropriate training provided to the crew for carrying out their emergency duties. No emergency procedures were available for the current tow or any previously assigned tow. Develop applicable emergency tow procedures and provide crew training.

The operator of a vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of oil, hazardous material, or liquefied gas as regulated in Table 4 of 46 CFR part 154 shall provide transfer procedures that meet the requirements of this part and part 156 of this chapter for transferring— (a) To or from the vessel; and (b) From tank to tank within the vessel. Onboard transfer procedures found missing required information, onboard procedures found not matching the company database procedures, and diagrams required for the procedures found illegible. Transfer records found in violation of company procedures. Provide accurate and complete transfer procedures onboard.

Each towing vessel must carry on board and maintain the following: A currently corrected edition of, or an applicable currently corrected extract from, each of the following publications for the area to be transited: (A) Coast Guard Light List; (B) Notices to Mariners published by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or LNMs published by the Coast Guard; (C) Tidal-current tables published by private entities using data provided by the NOS, or river-current tables published by a river authority; (D) Tide tables published by private entities using data provided by the NOS; and (E) U.S. Coast Pilot. Navigation publications only available via google search onboard. Provide navigation publications or extract onboard as required in CFR with additional guidance provided by NVIC 01-16 CH-1.

All crewmembers must be provided with health and safety information and training that includes: (1) Content and procedures of the owner or managing operator's health and safety plan. Crew training not provided for the Health & Safety plan for onboard crew.

Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040. The line throwing appliance must have: (1) The equipment on the list provided by the manufacturer with the approved appliance; and (2) An auxiliary line that: (i) Is at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long; (ii) Has a breaking strength of at least 40 kilonewtons (9,000 pounds-force); and (iii) Is, if synthetic, of a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light. Vessel’s line throwing appliance missing 3 of 4 required rocket projectiles, their bridles and leaders along with the required auxiliary line.

A person may not employ or engage an individual in a position required to hold an MMC unless that individual maintains a current medical certificate. Medical certificate expired for an onboard mariner.

The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.. Towing Vessel Record found missing required entries (safety orientations, navigation assessments, and fire -detection), onboard crew were not readily familiar with logging requirements for the TVR in use and one master did not have access to the system at all.

Closure devices must be provided for deckhouse or hull penetrations, which open to the exterior of the vessel and which may allow water to enter the vessel. These devices must be suitable for the expected route. Vessel’s main deck sewage tank missing ball and screen which prohibit down flooding of the space.

Employers must ensure that they and their crewmembers meet the requirements of this part. No drug and alcohol testing records were available onboard or via remote verification with company representatives. Company shall submit to USCG audit of required drug and alcohol testing program.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Machinery space was not vapor tight in cable transits on the starboard forward section of the machinery space leading upwards and in the aft portion of the machinery space. Additionally, potable water accumulator was being held down by ratchet straps. Make machinery space vapor tight and secure accumulator to the satisfaction of the marine inspector.

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must: Be maintained to ensure proper operation. Port Main Diesel Engine had a coolant leak, both engines had multiple cylinder temperature sensors that were not properly reporting (ex. CYL01 TOPEN), and both shaft seals had excessive water leaking. Repair machinery to the satisfaction of the marine inspector.

The owner, managing operator, or master of a towing vessel must ensure that the vessel's lifesaving and fire suppression and detection equipment complies with the applicable requirements of parts 141 and 142 of this subchapter and is in good working order. The portable fire pump did not operate within a reasonable time frame to be practical in fighting a fire.

Each watertight door and watertight hatch must be marked on both sides in clearly legible letters at least 25mm(1 inch) high:"WATERTIGHT DOOR-KEEP CLOSED" or "WATERTIGHT HATCH-KEEP CLOSED". None of the onboard doors or hatches were properly marked.

The cognizant OCMI may require additional examinations of the vessel whenever he or she discovers or suspects damage or deterioration to hull plating or structural members that may affect the seaworthiness or fitness for the route or service of a vessel. These examinations may include a drydock examination, including: (2) A removal of the vessel from service to assess the extent of the damage and to affect permanent repairs. Vessel must be dry docked and a proposal for the repair of the hull crack must be submitted.

All fire detection systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems, must be inspected or tested at least once every 12 months. The vessel did not have proof of servicing for the vessel's fire panel for their fire detection system. 46 CFR 142.240

The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner meeting the medical and physical standards for merchant meriners. The captain of the vessel could not provide MIs w/ valid medical certificate. 46 CFR 10.301(a)

The inspection will determine that the vessel in possession of any valid certificates or licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission, if required. Vessel is missing the FCC bridge to bridge certificate. 46 CFR 136.212(b)

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's medical cabinet has expired aspirin. 46 CFR 140.435

Personnel dispatched from the vessel or that are working in an area on the exterior of the vessel without rails and guards must wear a work vest approved by the Commandant under 46 CFR subpart 160.053. The vessel’s work vests did not have the marking “WORK VEST ONLY”. 46 CFR 140.430

A portable fire pump must be self-priming and power-driven, with a sufficient amount of lined commercial fire hose 50 feet in length, at least 1.5 inches in diameter and immediately available to attach to it so that a stream of water will reach any part of the vessel. The vessel’s fire hose had a leak, replace with authorized fire hose. 46 CFR 143.235(d)(2)

Nonconductive mats or grating must be provided on the deck in front of each switchboard and, if it is accessible from the rear, on the deck behind the switchboard. Distribution panels and switchboards in the winch room missing nonconductive matting. 46 CFR 143.506 (c)

Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose through vibration or accidental contact. Hardwire electrical submersible bilge pumps in port and starboard shaft alley. 46 CFR 143.400(e)

Cable hangers for overhead and vertical cable runs must be installed with metal supports and retention devices at least every 48 inches. Ensure cable and wiring are properly supported in the engine room. 46 CFR 143.575(a)(2)

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. If a storage room is provided, it may be any room or compartment that is free of ignition sources. Flammable/combustible products were found in the sewage holding tank void. Submit proposal to ensure space meets storage room requirements or install cabinet.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. The upper deck ring life buoy's grab line was wasted. Replace the grab line IAW 46CFR160.050. 46CFR141.230

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. The vessel did not have portable, battery-powered lights. Mount portable, battery-powered lights at the pilothouse and entrance to the engine room. 46CFR143.410(c)

Fire detection system requirements-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 NICET level IV fire alarm engineering technician, or by an authorized classification society with equivalent experience to comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (6).

Each integral fuel tank must have a vent that connects to the highest point of the tank, discharged on a weather deck through a bend of 180 degrees, and is fitted with a 30X30 mesh corrosion resistant flame screen. Fuel vent flame screens have damage and need to be replaced.