AMY ROSS

All towing vessels must be operated and maintained so the watertight integrity and stability of vessel of the vessel are not compromised. The 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 of a vessel. These examinations may include drydock examination a removal of the vessel from service to assess the extent of damage and to affect permanent repairs. If the OCMI has reasonable cause to believe the program for the drydock examination and internal structural examination is deficient, he or she require an examination by a TPO for vessels under the internal survey program. A three foot by two inch tear was found in the hull plating at the forward starboard quarter. Two holes were found in the port side deck near the gunnel. Starboard potable water fill pipe has a hole in it where it penetrates the deck. Sink drain through hull fitting is leaking at the side shell. Eight vertical side shell frames in the engine room are deflected and all associated brackets are tripped. Starboard side shell has numerous sharp insets over span of approximately 25 feet. Both potable water tanks looks as though river water has ingressed into the tanks. All four aft voids have water inside. The extent of side shell damage cannot be fully evaluated due to the installed hull fendering system. Vessel is required to be drydocked for full internal structural exam and hull inspection. OCMI requires TVIB attendance throughout drydock and internal structural examinations.

All seals and gaskets must be properly maintained to prevent leaks of flammable or combustible liquid into the machinery space. Port generator had significant fuel oil leakage. It was not possible to determine all sources of leaks due to the amount of fuel on the engine. Clean engine, identify all fuel leaks and make repairs.

Machinery systems must be maintained to provide for the safe operation of the vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. The port generator has a leak in the exhaust piping. Engine oil was running down the exhaust pipe behind the lagging posing a significant risk of fire. The source of the oil is believed to be from cylinder blow by due to worn piston rings in the engine. Repair exhaust leak and identify cause of oil in the exhaust piping.

Machinery systems must be maintained to provide for the safe operation of the vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Port engine starter air hose outer jacket is deteriorated and the internal lining is exposed. The internal lining of one keel cooler hose was bulging through the outer jacket and cracking to the outer cover was found on two additional keel cooler hoses.

The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weather-tight function properly. The forward hold hatch gasket is severely damaged and cannot seal properly.

The OCMI may require 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 the vessel. MI's previously discovered several areas of the vessel hull that posed an immediate threat to the vessels safety. Vessel also had numerous deflected frames and insets. OCMI allowed vessel to repair to immediate threats and to resume operations during harvest season. Vessel is required to undergo credit drydock after harvest season to make additional repairs and allow for full inspection of the vessel's hull.

Each towing vessel must operate in compliance with the applicable sections of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including sections 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1321) and applicable sections of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Fuel was discharged into the Mississippi River as a result of the port fuel tank being compromised. Permanently repair the starboard fuel tank to the satisfaction of the TPO (TVIB) Also, TVIB must provide Sector Lower Mississippi River objective evidence that the port fuel take was permanently repaired.