EMERY JAXON

Piping and machinery components that exceed 428ºF, including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers must be insulated. Main engine, and generator turbos were found with missing heat insulation. Install insulation on turbos. 46 CFR 143.220 (b)

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. Port side stern void's gooseneck vent wasted sufficiently to potentially compromise hull's watertight integrity.

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. On 1/29/2024 the vessel's hull was found to have been breeched below the waterline. An approximately 1" diameter hole was discovered in the hull bottom plate located in the port aft section of the engine room. Vessel reps requested and received approval to effect temporary repair (installation of a cement/grout patch). Vessel is authorized to resume operations with the temporary repair in place and adherence to provisions in the Lunda Construction Co. letter dated 1/30/2024 including provisions of: 1. Monitoring temporary repair & documentation, 2. Limiting area of operation, and, 3. Maintaining contingency measures. The vessel is required to have permanent repairs made by 5/31/2024. Any change in the condition of the temporary repair, or, condition of the hull/structure is to be immediately reported to [name withheld] River (The phone number for Sector UMR Command Center for after hours reporting is: [phone withheld]).

Electrical systems must function properly and minimize system failures and shock hazard. Noted several openings in electrical panels where inadvertent access may be permitted. Temporarily repaired with duct tape, make permanent repairs within 30 days.

Electrical systems must function properly and minimize system failures and shock hazard. The battery located under the bridge is not secured to the deck and is able to shift due to sea state. Secure battery within 30 days.

Bulkheads designed to be weathertight must be maintained in that condition. Several areas throughout the engine room casing, above the main deck, were found with holes from removal of screws or bolts, etc. Make noted areas weathertight within 30 days.

Drills (including rescuing persons from water and abandon ship) are required to be recorded in towing vessel record (TVR). Drills were not recorded in TVR.

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation. Safety orientation had not been performed or recorded.

AIS must be maintained in effective operating condition, which includes… The accurate input and upkeep of all AIS data fields and system updates. During inspection crew did not demonstrate sufficient knowledge to ensure the upkeep of all AIS data fields (Corrected by end of inspection).

Each U.S. towing vessel of 26 feet must hold a ship-radio-station license for radio transmitters, and each operator must hold a restricted operator's license or higher. Vessel master did not have an FCC restricted operator’s license or higher.

Emergency lighting must be provided for all internal crew working and living areas. Emergency lighting sources must provide for sufficient illumination under emergency conditions to facilitate egress from each space and must be either: (1) Automatic, battery-operated with a duration of no less than 2 hours; or (2) Non-electric, phosphorescent adhesive lighting strips that are installed along escape routes and sufficiently visible to enable egress with no power. Second deck emergency lighting failed to operate when tested (Corrected by the end of the inspection), and, crew berthing not fitted with emergency lighting.

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. Crew were wearing a floatation device approved under 46 CFR 160.076 (Type V) & not 46 CFR 160.053 as required. Vessel operator to ensure crew are wearing required floatation device. (Corrected)

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists, and provided with a low hydraulic steering fluid levels alarm. Vessel’s low hydraulic steering fluid level alarm failed to function when exercised.

The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel: (1) Personnel records, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.400; (2) Safety orientation, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.410; (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.420; (4) Examinations and tests, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.615; (5) Operative navigational safety equipment, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.620; (6) Navigation assessment, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.635; (7) Navigation safety training, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.645; (8) Oil residue discharges and disposals, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.655; (9) Record of inspection of towing gear, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.820; and (10) Fire-detection and fixed fire-extinguishing, in accordance with 46 CFR 142.240. When requested navigational equipment checks, voyage plans, navigational assessment, general alarm, and, health and safety training were not available. (See 33 CFR 164.80 for additional information concerning voyage planning and tests/inspections prior to getting underway).

Each Employee Assistance Program (EAP) education program must include at least the following elements: display and distribution of informational material; display and distribution of a community service hot-line telephone number for crewmember assistance, and display and distribution of the employer's policy regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace. During inspection hot-line telephone number and employer’s policy regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace was not displayed (Corrected during inspection).

A vessel must be operated in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. Generator windings are contaminated with motor oil inducing a potentially unsafe condition.

Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crewmember (not holding a merchant mariner’s credential) must receive navigational safety training. Required training had not been provided or recorded.

Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 910 millimeters (3 feet) in length, but not more than 1,830 millimeters (6 feet), securing the water light around the body of the lifebuoy. During inspection, lanyard was secured to lifebuoy’s grab line; corrected by end of inspection.

Each lifejacket must be marked in block capital letters with the name of the vessel. Lifejackets were not marked with the current name of the vessel.

Machinery and electrical systems must be maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Vessel experienced a loss of propulsion on the port main due to a fialure within the gearing. Repairs are to be made to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard prior to departure.

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems must be maintained to ensure proper operation Vessel suffered a loss of propulsion on the port engine due to a failed engine mounting bracket. The cause of the casualty must be determined and repairs made to the satisfaction of a Coast Guard marine inspector.

RECOMMEND PLACING A LIGHT COVER ON THE EXPOSED BULB IN THE ENGINE ROOM.