ERNIE T WELLHAUSEN

Engine room missing means to close ventilation. Means must be provided to close system serving space. 46 CFR 144.605

Oily Mixture pump is not capable of discharging to a reception facility. The Vsl is required to have at least one pump installed to discharge oily mixtures through a fixed piping system to a reception facility 33 CFR 155.410(a)(1)

Port and starboard generator winding has excess oil buildup. VSL must clean windings to minimize fire potential 46 CFR 144.405

A Type II Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) installed on board vessel, but no chemicals to treat the sewage were available other than the small amount remaining in reservoir. The type and quantity of chemicals that are required to operate the device must be IAW the instuctions for operating the MSD. Provide the proper chemical in the quantity required to operate MSD.

The fuel piping for both main engines had small leaks at a fitting allowing diesel fuel to accumulate in the bilge. Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the all bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. Repair leaks on these fuel lines.

The flammable storage room on the main deck at the port bow did not have a 40-B portable fire extinguisher visibly mounted in the vicinity, however there was a 40-B portable fire extingusiher mounted just inside the door on the main deck at the starboard bow less than 10 feet away. A 40-B portable fire extinguisher must be located near the storage room or cabinet. This is in addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by tables 142.230(a) and 142.230(b) of this part. Vessel has more than the required amount of portable fire extinguishers on board. Afffix a sign/placard to tthe outside of the starboard side door to indicate a fire extiguisher is located just inside or relocate the extinguisher outside the door.

Vessel has hand grabs along the port and starboard side superstructure but there are large gaps in the hand grabs in vicinity of the engine room doors that prevent personnel from maintaining a point of contact. Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks accessible to crew. In areas where space limitations make deck rails impractical, such as at narrow catwalks in way of deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted. Install rails or equivalent protection in the aforementioned areas.

Vessel's General Alarm could not be heard in the lower engine room while machinery is operating and there is no flashing red light installed in the lower engine room to indicate an emergency. 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” must be installed. Install the light and signage as indicated in the lowere engine room.

The bilge piping color coding identification is missing or worn. Piping for flammable or combustible liquid, seawater cooling, or firefighting systems must be fitted with isolation valves that are clearly marked by labeling or color coding that enables the crew to identify its function. Replace/affix labels or color codes to bilge piping.

Automatic, battery-operated, emergency lighting must have a duration of no less than 2 hours. Emergency lights on board are capable of 90 minutes. Replace lights with required 2 hour lights or install non-electric, phosphorescent adhesive lighting strips along escape route. Item will be listed as a worklist item.

The B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system is not properly marked as Marine Type approved. Company directed to request an extension to the new requirements. The company bought a system that is not Marine Type. Company will replace existing B-V with an approved system prior to the 17 June 2005.

THE M/V PAUL G. MIDDLETON WAS U/W AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE PROPER NAVIGATIONAL LIGHTS.