UNCLE NU

Any vessel of at least five net tons which engages in the fisheries on the navigable waters of the United States or in the economic zone, or coastwise trade, unless exempt under USC 6739(c), must have a cerificate of documentation is earning a vaid endorsement appropriate for the activity in which engaged. COD is expired and must be renewed.

A vessel must operated in accordance with spplicable laws and regulation and in such a manner as to affored protection against hazard to life, propery, and the enviroment crew. Crew stated a fifth mariner was a board during operations last night. COI limits 4 mariners on vessel at a time due to safety. Mariner is off vessel and crew was educated on reason why USCG places limits

Inspectied vessels are issued a certificate of inspection (COI) which indecates the inimum complement of officers and crew considered necessary for safe operations. The COI complemets the statutory requirements but does not supersede them. There is no Master or License Mate aboard the vessel minimum manning must be met.

Stowage positions for life jackets stowed in a berthing space or stateroom and all life jacket containers must be marked. Life jackets containers or stowage areas were not marked.

Each towing vessel must carry at least one appropriately-sized life jacket for each person board. Vessel operator was unable to verify sufficient amount of life-jackets according to the signed COI to Marine Inspectors. Only 3 three life jackets were located/verified on board.

All fire suppression and detection equipment and systems on board a towing vessel mist be maintained in accordance with the attached nameplate, manufacturer's approved design manual. Fire extinguisher on the port side of the 2nd deck was rusted through the top of the extinguisher.

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light. Starboard side lifebuoy light was inoperable.

The marine employer must have a sufficient number of alcohol testing devices accessible on board the vessel to determine the presence of alcohol in the system of each individual who was directly involved in the SMI. Alcohol testing strips found during annual inspection by marine inspector were expired.

The master must ensure that all hatched doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weather tight function properly. Pilot house port side door had missing weather stripping

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted. Marine inspectors were unable to conduct drills for annual inspection due to vessel not prepared during time of inspection.

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. Port side generator did not have sufficient machinery guards on equipment.

Fuel systems for towing vessel main engines and generators must have a documented maintenance plan to ensure proper operation of the system. Both main engines had fuel filters that were missing parts or taken apart. In addition, the STBD main engine’s online filter was leaking and operating with a bucket underneath.

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists or an essential system develops problems that require attention. The following alarms must be provided: High bilge levels. The vessels engine room high bilge alarm system was disconnected and inoperable.

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. Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must be maintained to ensure proper operation; Both shaft seals were leaking excessively to exceed approximately 1 gallon per minute.

All pressure vessels must have the MAWP indicated by a stamp, nameplate, or other means visible to the crew. Vessel's starboard air receiver had worn marking with MAWP no longer legible.

Each crew berthing area shall be equipped with information regarding- (A) vessel owner or company policies prohibiting sexual assault and sexual harassment, retaliation, and drug and alcohol usage; and procedures and resources to report crimes, including sexual assault and sexual harassment. 46 USC 1101(5)(B) Vessel didn't have procedures for reporting SASH.

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must: Be maintained to ensure proper operation. Vessel had leaking from freeze plug on engine block, at a rate of approximately 1 gallon per minute.

Steering systems must meet ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference). Vessel reported damage to the port rudder rendering it's main steering gear inoperable. Addition damage includes cracked welds on port strut.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. This includes abandoning the vessel, recovering persons from the water, responding to onboard fires and flooding, or responding to other threats to life, property, or the environment. During the man overboard drill, the crew did not exercise the use of the lifebuoy. During the abandon ship drill, the crew were unaware of how to don their lifejackets. Through questioning of the crew, it was discovered that during drills, drills were not being conducted as if there was an actual emergency and only including discussions. Vessel shall increase the frequency of drills and ensure that drills are performed as required by regulation.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with a means to detect smoke in the berthing spaces and lounges that alerts individuals in those spaces. The smoke detector in the masters berthing space was removed. Vessel shall replace smoke detector in berthing space prior to departure.

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 inoperable at time of testing and only operated upon fourth attempt. Vessel shall remove slack from pull line to ensure valve functions at all times prior to departure.

Each lifejacket must be marked: In block capital letters with the name of the vessel...Lifejackets must have the following attachments and fittings: Each lifejacket must have a lifejacket light. One lifejacket was missing a light and the vessels name and another was missing a light. Vessel shall properly equip all lifejackets prior to departure.

Each lifebuoy on a towing vessel must: Be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150. The port bridge wing lifebuoy had silver tape instead of retro-reflective material in place where required. The line around the lifebuoy was not secured around the body, allowing the line to pull off the body.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. The distribution panel in the engine room, port side, was missing blanks to prevent accidental shock of crew. Vessel shall add blanks to prevent shock prior to departure.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. The port generator battery terminal wire connections were secured using vice grips instead of proper battery terminal connections. Vessel shall ensure proper connections are installed prior to departure.

Company and vessel personnel responsible for security duties must maintain a TWIC...Both deckhands onboard responsible for security duties and having access to all restricted areas onboard could not present a valid TWIC card as required by regulation and the vessels approved VSP. Vessel shall ensure that the vessel is properly manned with current TWIC holders while operating with an approved VSP.

When a marine employer determines that a casualty or incident is, or is likely to become, a serious marine incident, the marine employer shall take all practicable steps to have each individual engaged or employed on board the vessel who is directly involved in the incident chemically tested for evidence of drug and alcohol use as required in this part. The employer/operator did not attempt to have any of the individuals involved in the serious marine incident chemically tested for drugs or alcohol

All marine employers must submit drug testing program data required by 49 CFR 40.26 and appendix H to 49 CFR part 40 The employer does not currently have a drug testing program and the necessary equipment to chemically test nor are they part of a consortium.

The port and STBD mains exhaust and turbos need to have lagging.

There is exposed rotating machinery on the front of the STBD main engine.

The MSD and the instructions were different brands.

The magnetic compass light was extinguished.

A cover was missing on the side of the switchboard.

The stern light is obstructed from view by the small boat.

Unless it is determined to be necessary by the cognizant OCMI under 141.225, or a TSMS applicable to the towing vessel, each towing vessel that operates solely on rivers need not carry survival craft if it carries a 406 MHz Cat 1 EPIRB meeting 47 CFR part 80. Vessel's EPIRB was not registered and vessel had no survival craft onboard.

The hull of each documented vessel must be marked as required by part 67 of this chapter. Vessel's name was painted black and was not in contrasting colors to the hull.

Pressure vessel must be externally inspected annually. During annual inspection, they was visible wastage behind the nameplate. Vessel is to hydrostatically test both port and stbd pressure vessels or replace them.

Each towing vessel must be capable to prevent all oil spills from reaching the water during transfers by using fixed or portable containment. Vessel had missing containment plugs around fuel fill piping.

Means must be provided for stopping fan in the ventilation system serving the machinery space and for closing in case of fire openings into such space. Vessel was missing securing devices on the port machinery space ventilation cover.

Piping and machinery components that exceed 428 deg F including exhaust piping and turbochargers must be insulated. Vessel had worn and missing exhaust insulation on port and stbd main engines exhaust piping.

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. This is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel. Vessels port generator guard was loose and exposed a hazard to personnel.

Emergency lighting must be provided for all internal crew working and living areas. Emergency lighting port side machinery space and under ladder well leading to pilot house was inoperable.

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. There were several pigtailed wiring receptical plugs daisy chained. There were recepticals in crew head that were not correctly mounted and electrical junction boxes in machinery space missing protective covers.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Both main ship service generators need to be maintenaced and supply ventilation screens must cleaned to prevent possible fire and system failure.

Each lifejacket must have a lifejacket light approved under approval series 161.012 or 161.112 securely attached to the front shoulder area of the lifejacket. Vessel had lifejacket lights missing.

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110, unless the towing vessel is limited to daytime operation, in which case no floating electric water light is required. Vessel only had 1 lifebuoy with a electric water light.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. This includes abandoning the vessel, recovering persons from the water, responding to onboard fires and flooding, or responding to other threats to life, property, or the environment. Was unable to conduct a fire drill due to vessels mate just being hired and onboard for no more than 20 minutes upon arrival.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. This includes abandoning the vessel, recovering persons from the water, responding to onboard fires and flooding, or responding to other threats to life, property, or the environment. Was unable to conduct a abandon ship drill due to vessels mate just being hired and onboard for no more than 20 minutes upon arrival.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. This includes abandoning the vessel, recovering persons from the water, responding to onboard fires and flooding, or responding to other threats to life, property, or the environment. Was unable to conduct a fire drill due to vessels mate just being hired and onboard for no more than 20 minutes upon arrival.

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. Vessel had fire extinguishers that have not been inspected according to the blank inspection tags located on extinguisers.

Vessel did not have proper placard/ identification for MSD type in accordance with 33 CFR 159.55(a),(b.

Towing vessel did not have an installed echo finder onboard.

Loss of steering, cause is not identified yet.

[withheld — contains personal information; the deficiency system, dates, and resolution status are shown above]

Several of the crew's work vests were worn and not in compliance with 46 CFR 25.25-11. [name withheld] stated he would advise his boss to replace all work vests.

There were no metal plates on the fire extinguishers as per 46 CFR 25.30-10 (d). [name withheld] stated he would advise his boss of the problem and have it corrected.

[withheld — contains personal information; the deficiency system, dates, and resolution status are shown above]

VESSEL DOES NOT HAVE LOG OF REQUIRED TESTS AND INSPECTIONS.