VOLUNTEER STATE

A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date. Vessel has not completed an annual inspection.46 CFR 137.200

Fuel Shut off requirements; (b) 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. (c) The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank. (d) The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed. (e) Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters, at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, indicating the purpose of the valve and the way to operate it. Vessel’s fuel shut off for main tanks was not labeled. The day tank supply line did not have an isolation valve at the tank connection. 46 CFR 143.260

Verify that all observed unsafe practices, fire hazards, and other hazardous situations are corrected, and that all required guards and protective devices are in satisfactory condition. Marine Inspectors observed electrical cables laying in bilge spaces under main engines. 46 CFR 137.220(l)(1)

The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location: (1) Main engine lubricating oil pressure and main engine RPM; (2) Main engine cooling water temperature; (3) Auxiliary generator engine lubricating oil pressure and auxiliary generator engine RPM; (4) Auxiliary generator engine cooling water temperature; and (5) Hydraulic steering fluid pressure if the vessel is equipped with hydraulic steering systems. Vessel’s generator RPM gauge was inoperative and both main engines did not have oil pressure, RPM, or cooling water temp gauges at the machinery location. 46 CFR 143.230(c)

Each towing vessel must be fitted with a general alarm that: (3) Has installed, in the engine room and any other area where background noise makes a general alarm hard to hear, a supplemental flashing red light that is identified with a sign that reads: “Attention General Alarm—When Alarm Sounds or Flashes Go to Your Station”; Vessels general alarm was not labeled nor did it have a flashing light in the engine room. 46 CFR 143.235(b)

Each exhaust pipe from an internal combustion engine which is within reach of personnel must be insulated or otherwise guarded to prevent burns. Marine Inspectors observed generator exhaust lagging to be unsecured and falling off, leaving exposed exhaust piping. 46 CFR 144.830

Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 3’ in length but no more than 6’, securing the water light around the body of the lifebuoy. MI observed both stbd and port water light lanyard not secured around body of the lifebuoy.46CFR141.360(c)(4)

The o/o or master must ensure that the vessel's lifesaving equipment is in good working order. STBD lifebuoy had severely damaged grab lines. 46 CFR 140.650, 705c

The o/o or master must ensure that the vessel's lifesaving equipment is in good working order. Stbd floating electric water light had expired battery installed. 46 CFR 140.650, 705c

Each lifebuoy on a towing vessel must be marked in block capital letters with the name of the vessel. Port and stbd lifebuoys not marked. 46CFR141.360(b)(4)

Containers, brackets, racks, and other similar stowage locations for lifesaving equipment must be marked with symbols IAW IMO resolution A. 760(18) indicating the device stowed. Number must be indicated. Lifejacket and suit locations were not marked. 46CFR199.178

Portable watertight containers for pyrotechnic distress signals must be of a bright color and must be clearly marked in legible contrasting letters at least .5” high with “DISTRESS SIGNALS”. MI observed portable watertight container not marked. 46CFR141.375(e)(1)

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. Wheeled 160 B Semi-Portable fire extinguisher was not permanently secured to the vessel. 46CFR142.230(c)

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. MI observed an exposed wire coming from the aft E/R battery terminal.46CFR143.400(a)

Electrical equipment and electrical cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments. MI observed liquid inside the E/R fwd stbd battery casing. 46CFR143.400(f)

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. Each towing vessel operating on coastwise routes must have a means to take blood pressure readings, splint broken bones, and apply large bandages for serious wounds. Vessel’s first aid kit contained expired items and was not equipped with a means to take blood pressure readings, splint broken bones, and apply large bandages for serious wounds. 46 CFR 140.435

Each towing vessel must perform the applicable tests in Table 143.245(b) of this section. The tests required by this section must be recorded in accordance with part 140 of this subchapter. Vessel does not have records of performing the tests outlined by Table 143.245(b). 46 CFR 143.245(b)

The design of the fire detection 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 qualified level IV fire alarm engineering technician, or by an authorized classification society with equivalent experience. PE letter for the fire detection system was not provided. 46 CFR 142.330(a)(7)

A towing vessel subject to this section must maintain a TVR. The TVR must include a chronological record of events as required by this subchapter: (1) Personnel records, in accordance with § 140.400; (2) Safety orientation, in accordance with § 140.410; (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with § 140.420; (4) Examinations and tests, in accordance with § 140.615; (5) Operative navigational safety equipment, in accordance with § 140.620; (6) Navigation assessment, in accordance with § 140.635; (7) Navigation safety training, in accordance with § 140.645; (8) Oil residue discharges and disposals, in accordance with § 140.655; (9) Record of inspection of towing gear, in accordance with § 140.820; and (10) Fire-detection and fixed fire-extinguishing, in accordance with § 142.240. Vessel was not equipped with a TVR and could not present records of the required events. 46 CFR 140.910(b)&(c) 46 CFR 140.915

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. Fire detection panel was displaying a trouble alarm. 46 CFR 140.650

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: (5) High bilge levels. Once activated, the visual indicator for bilge alarms on the bridge did not deactivate when the alarm was acknowledged and the bilge alarm was reset, impairing the reliability of the system. 46 CFR 143.230(a)(5)

If the alarm at the operating station is a summary alarm, the specific alarm condition must be indicated at the machinery or bilge location. The three bilge alarms were not addressable on the bridge or at the bilge location. 46 CFR 143.230(b)(1)

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage. Vessel was not equipped with updated charts. 46 CFR 140.705(b)

Each towing vessel must be equipped with at least two portable, battery-powered lights. One must be located in pilothouse, other at engine room. No portable lights found on board.46 CFR 143.410(c)

Survival craft must be stowed in accordance with the requirements of § 199.130 of this chapter, as far as is practicable on existing towing vessels. Each liferaft must be arranged to permit it to drop into the water from the deck on which it is stowed. Life raft is not arranged to drop into the water from the deck on which it is stowed.

AIS must be maintained in effective operating condition, which includes the accurate input and upkeep of all AIS data fields and system updates. AIS unit was displaying alarms regarding inadequacy of data input. 33 CFR 164.46 (d)(2)(iv)

The master 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. Vessel has no records of drills with assigned crew.46 CFR 140.420(a)

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on [items (b)(1) through (10)]. No records of safety orientation. 46 CFR 140.410(b)

Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crewmember must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with items (1)-(6). Vessel had no records of required navigation safety training. 46 CFR 140.645(a

All crewmembers must be provided with health and safety information and training that includes [items (a)(1) through (9)]. Crewmember training required by this section must be conducted as soon as practicable, but not later than 5 days after employment. All training required in this section must be documented in owner or managing operator’s records. Vessel had no records of health and safety training.46 CFR 140.515(a),(c),(f)

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that each crewmember receives firefighting instruction at least once each month. Vessel had no records of crew firefighting instruction. 46CFR 142.245

An existing vessel may be deemed by the local OCMI to be in compliance with this subpart provided the vessel has been both in satisfactory service insofar as structural adequacy is concerned and does not cause the structure of the vessel to be questioned by [name withheld] bottom plate beneath the port and stbd shafts has significant wastage and pitting. Vessel must complete dry dock and internal structural examination for credit prior to operating. 46CFR144.200(b)

All owners and operators of an existing towing vessel must have a valid COI on board no later than July 19, 2022. This vessel has not obtained a valid COI and is no longer permitted to operate.

ZERO LENGTH OR BEAM: no dimension information (AIS Antenna Position ABCD values equals 0), ZERO DRAFT: no static draft information, SHIP TYPE MISSING: Vsl is not broadcasting an AIS Ship Type