MISS MICHELLE

Piping and tanks exposed to the outside of the hull must be made of metal and maintained in a leak free condition. The overboard suction piping on the vessels fixed fire pump was discovered with several epoxy patches. When the pump was energized, significant leaking from the epoxy patch locations and in-line shut off valves were discovered. Vessel shall properly replace/repair all wasted piping & necessary shut-off valves to bring system into normal operation prior to departing.

To stop the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the fuel line, a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover. The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed. The remote fuel shut-off valve was discovered seized and inoperable at the time of inspection. Vessel shall ensure the remote fuel shut off valve is operable prior to departure.

All bilges and void spaces are to be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. At time of inspection, the machinery space bilge has excessive oil accumulation. Vessel shall remove oil accumulation from bilge prior to departure.

Each life float and rigid buoyant apparatus must be fitted with a lifeline, pendants, a painter, and floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010. At time of inspection, the onboard life float's painter and floating electric water light were not connected/properly fitted to the life float. Vessel must properly outfit the life float prior to departure.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that each crewmember participates in fire-fighting drills and receives instruction at least once each month. Records indicated that fire drills were not being performed on a monthly basis while in operation. Vessel shall ensure drills are performed and recorded as required by regulation.

As far as practicable, drills must take place on board the vessel. They must include...Actual use of, or realistic simulation of the use of, emergency equipment. While performing an abandon ship drill, the MI observed crew unprepared. Specifically, the crew was not aware to bring the EPIRB or flares. The vessel crew shall conduct training on abandon ship procedures and incorporate the realistic simulation of the use of emergency equipment to help increase the crews chance of survival in an emergency.

The officer in charge of a navigational watch must conduct a navigation assessment for the intended route and operations prior to getting underway. A navigation assessment entry must be recorded in the TVR...Vessel was not performing navigational assessments as required by regulation. Vessel shall ensure that for all future voyages, an navigation assessment is performed as outlined by regulation.

The frame or support of any semi-portable fire 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. The 160-B wheeled semi portable extinguisher outfitted onboard IAW 46CFR142.315 & stowed on the deck above the engine space was not secured to prevent movement during heavy sea conditions.

Each detector, control panel, remote indicator panel, and fire alarm are approved by the Commandant under approval series 161.002 or listed by a NRTL as set forth in 29 CFR 1910.7. 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. Upon arrival, the MI observed the fire detection panel being replaced. The new panel was replaced with a different manufacturer of the original panel approved and as indicted on the registered professional engineer approval letter. Vessel shall ensure the installed panel is CG or NRTL approved and ensure that the system and its installation is certified by a professional engineer or authorized classification society as authorized above. Vessel shall provide evidence of approval and installation within 30 days.

A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised. During post casualty inspection, MI's observed cracks and degraded material on both skegs/shoes. They also observed a crack on the stbd rudder and damage to the port rudder framework that will need to be repaired to the satisfaction of USCG.

Propulsion machinery, including shafting must be maintained to ensure proper operation. Vessel reported broken port shaft. Vessel transited on one engine to a shipyard in bolivar fore repairs. Vessel is required to affect permanent repairs to the satisfaction of USCG MI. Provide photos of replacement shaft installed and report from machine shop stating any repairs that were made.

All towing vessels must be operated in a manner that minimizes the risk of down-flooding and progressive flooding. MI's observed holes in the superstructure along the main deck adjacent to the machinery space. Crop and renew degraded metal to the satisfaction of USCG.

Each wire and cable run must be installed in a manner to prevent contact with personnel, mechanical hazards, and leaking fluids. MI's observed a motor controller on the stbd superstructure adjacent to the machinery space with a failed packing gland protruding the bulkhead. Affect permanent repairs to satisfaction of USCG.

AIS must be maintained in effective operating condition, which includes The accurate input and upkeep of all AIS data fields and system updateS. NAVCEN data errors with antenna distances and draft. Input correct AIS antenna information, draft, and ship type.

In areas where space limitations make deck rails impractical, such as at narrow catwalks in way of deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted. Vessel does not have handrails on deck or grab rails on bulkheads. Install grab rails on exterior bulkhead around main deck.

Any portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering must have sufficient hose length and pumping capabilities. The hose for the pump was missing.

Closure devices must be provided which open to the exterior of the vessel and suitable for the intended route. The STBD watertight door gasket was wasted.

All owners and operators of an existing towing vessel must have a valid COI prior to the specified phase-in period. This vessel is one of the associated fleet that has not obtained a valid COI. The vessel shall be made available for a Coast Guard COI inspection within 90 days. If an inspection is not completed prior to this date, the action for this deficiency shall be changed to a 60 (Rectify deficiencies prior to movement) and the vessel may no long be permitted to operate.

MISSING COAST PILOT

ENGINEROOM LIGHT MISSING COVER.

EXCESSIVE OIL IN BILGES.

BOTH SHAFTS LEAKING WATER EXCESSIVELY.