EAST COAST

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards. Oil was found dripping from the exhaust wrap/blanket for the port generator, and the exhaust piping for the starboard main engine near the #1 cylinder was observed to have oil residue/buildup on it. Resolve to the satisfaction of the TPO (ABS).

46 USC 8104 and 46 CFR 15.705 require the establishment of a 3 watch rotation for seagoing towing vessels of >100 GRT. While there is some relaxation to a 2 watch rotation for a towing vessel w/ voyage length of <600nm, and for officers (e.g. masters and mates) regardless of voyage length for vessels of <200 GRT, there is no allowance for deviating from a 3 watch rotation for the unlicensed deck personnel (e.g. ABs and OS) for seagoing vessels of >100 GRT on a voyage of >600nm. The objective evidence indicates that the subject vessel (184 GRT) has been employing a 2 watch rotation for the unlicensed deck crew during voyages of >600nm in length, including a recent voyage from Baltimore to the Bahamas and back in early December 2023. This is not in accordance with the applicable statute and regulations regarding watchkeeping, which require a 3 watch rotation for the unlicensed deck crew on voyages of >600nm. The TSMS operator is required to conduct a casual analysis and provide this OCMI with a corrective action plan on how similar instances of non-compliance with the watchkeeping requirements will be prevented in the future. Provide a copy of the corrective action plan to the TPO (ABS) that issued the Company's TSMS certificate, for their awareness.

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. Port MDE is inoperable.

PME Govenor Malfunction

Vsl is broadcasting: NAME with Vsl type precursor (NAME must not include Vsl type precursors, e.g. F/V, M/V).

VESSELS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE DUE FOR SERVICING IAW 46 CFR 25.30-10. VESSEL IS REQUIRED TO HAVE EXTINGUISHERS SERVICED AT ITS NPOC, BUT NLT 12APR98.

VESSELS TYPE II MARINE SANITATION DEVICE WAS NOT CERTIFIED IAW 33 CFR 159.7CORRECTION IS REQUIRED WITHIN 30 DAYS AND THE OVERBOARD DISCHARGE VALVE IS TO BE LOCKED SHUT WHEN WITHIN 3 MILES OF THE COAST.

VESSELS CHART FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (LPOC) WERE NOT UP TO DATE IAW 33 CFR 164.72(b)1)(ii). CORRECTION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO TRANSITTING THE RIVER.