THE TROPICS BOAT TOURS

Shutoff valves must be fitted in the fuel supply lines closest to the tank to stop fuel flow when servicing accessories. The valve at the tank must be manually operable from outside the compartment in which the valve is located. MI observed the STBD fuel tank valve did not completely close when operated from outside of the compartment. 46CFR 182.455

In diesel fuel supply piping systems flex hoses may be used if they are fitted with suitable connection fittings, are visible, and do not penetrate watertight bulkheads. The fuel supply lines were of the flexible type and penetrated 02 watertight bulkheads. This must be corrected during the next DD/ISE scheduled for September. 46 CFR 182.720

Propulsion machinery shall be maintained in a manner as to afford protection against machinery failure. Observed a port engine mount that was corroded and cracked beyond serviceability. 46 CFR 176.804

A submersible bilge pump may be used provided that the pump is permanently mounted. MI observed a submersible bilge pump in the port side compartment and a high water float in the Stbd compartment not properly mounted. 46 CFR 182.520

It is intended that all machinery be installed and maintained in such a manner as to afford adequate protection against machinery failure. The stbd side main engine oil cooler was observed with a broken strap mount and was being held on with a piece of line. The proper mounting bracket must be procured and properly installed. 46 CFR 176.804

Inspect all weather tight closures above the weather deck. Mast wires are leaking water onto the console from the operating station overhead. 46 CFR 179.360

Radio installations must be in accordance with 47CFR Chapter 1. The vessel could not produce a valid FCC Radio Safety Certificate. 46 CFR 184.502

Placards for donning life jackets must be posted in conspicuous places accessible to passengers. A donning procedure placard must be posted on the top deck in the area where life jackets are stowed. 46 cfr 185.602

Conductors in lighting circuits must be No. 14 American Wire Gauge (AWG) or larger and be listed as UL Marine cable. Upper deck string lights must be removed. 46 CFR 183.220

The use of twist type wire connections are allowed for use if made within an enclosure and secured to prevent loosening. The twist connections in the aft closet were not in an enclosure and were not secured to prevent loosening. 46 CFR 183.220

The following areas of the vessel’s main deck were found to be severely water damaged: 1. At the port side fuel fill cap/pipe, IWO the port fuel tank void. 2. The port bow area, forward of the pilot station, IWO passenger bench seating and hatch over port forward void. 3. At the hatch for the port side fuel tank void. 4. At the aftmost hatch on the port side, and the surrounding area at the stairwell landing. The following transverse frames were found severely water damaged and fractured: 1. First frame aft from forward bulkhead in the port center void (soda storage), IWO connection to the port hull. 2. Frame in starboard fuel tank void, IWO connection to the starboard hull. Submit repair proposals and make permanent structural repairs to all items listed above by next drydock (SEP 2025), prior to receiving drydock credit. Vessel is limited to a passenger count of 100 and the port side, bow deck area must be roped off and made off limits to passengers until the soft deck spot has been re-enforced to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard. 46 CFR 176.802

Each item of life saving equipment determined by the MI to not be in serviceable condition must be repaired or replaced. 03 PFDs were found with damage to floatation from rodent damage. Replace to satisfaction of the MI. 46 CFR 176.808

Each item of life saving equipment determined by the MI to not be in serviceable condition must be repaired or replaced. 13 PFDs were found with worn retro reflective tape. Replace to satisfaction of the MI. 46 CFR 176.808

Each item of life saving equipment determined by the MI to not be in serviceable condition must be repaired or replaced. EPIRB was found in working order but with an expired battery. Replace to satisfaction of the MI. 46 CFR 176.808

A hatch cover exposed to weather must be kept in a water tight condition. The scuttle, fwd STBD, was found with a torn gasket. Replace gasket to the satisfaction of the MI. 46 CFR 179.360

The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection giving consideration to provisions for a seaworthy hull. MI received a report of damage to stbd side of vessel due to a marine casualty. A damage assessment must be conducted prior to the carriage of passengers. 46 CFR 177.100

Except as otherwise provided in this section, all vessels shall be provided with not less than two avenues of escape from all general areas accessible to passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed, so located that if one is not available the other may be. The vessel has two decks accessible to passengers, with access to the second deck only through the stairwell located aft. Upon reaching the second deck, there is only one installed egress route, which is the stairwell leading up. The starboard engine room is located within approx. 5 feet of the stairwell on the main deck. A temporary solution for a secondary egress route is the use of a portable ladder, stowed on the second deck, that can be affixed in place at the forward port side of the upper deck. The owner must submit a proposal for a permanent solution. This modification must meet New T regulations. The proposal must be approved and the solution installed to the satisfaction of the attending inspector prior to credit drydock. 46 CFR 177.15-1

A marine employer whose vessel is involved in a marine casualty or incident that is, or is likely to become, a serious marine incident shall comply with 46CFR4.06. Marine inspector observed that the vessel did not have a means to perform the required alcohol testing within the required time frame. 46 CFR 185.212

Each life buoy on board the vessel must be approved IAW subchapter Q, approval series 160.150. Marine inspector observed ring life buoy cap missing. 46 CFR 180.70 (b)(1)

On a vessel on which the number of passengers permitted on the upper decks is limited by stability criteria, as indicated by the vessel's stability letter, the maximum number of passengers allowed on the upper decks must be indicated by a durable marking of numbers and letters at least one inch in height at the entranceway to each such deck. Marine inspector observed no posting of passenger count for second deck. 46 CFR 185.30-3(e)

Vessels must comply with the structural design requirements of the applicable standard for the hull material of the vessel. Marine inspector noted a cracked stringer in the starboard laz. Correct prior to credit DD. 46 CFR 176.300

At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification the owner/operator shall be prepared to conduct operational tests of the means provided for pumping bilges. Marine inspector noted that the float switch for the port and starboard engine room bilge pumps were inoperable. 46 CFR 176.804

The number of penetrations in a watertight bulkhead must be minimized. A penetration in a watertight bulkhead must be as high and as far inboard in the bulkhead as practicable, and made watertight. Found that all watertight bulkheads identified on the stability letter have penetrations for cables which are not made watertight. The WTB 6.5 and 16 have a fuel hose penetration that is not sealed. This vessel complies with New T regulations as per the most recent stability test completed June 17, 2011. 46 CFR 179.320

The owner, charterer, master or managing operator shall instruct each crew member, upon first being employed and prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular vessel and at least once every three months, as to the duties that the crew member is expected to perform in an emergency including, but not limited to, the emergency instructions listed on the emergency instruction placard required by § 185.510 of this part and, when applicable, the duties listed in the station bill required by § 185.514 of this part. Several licensed masters were onboard for this inspection and were unfamiliar with the master's duties associated with the deployment of the FireBoy system. The company training does not detail the requirements for masters to deploy the FireBoy system. 46 CFR 185.420(a)

Complete but simple instructions for the operation of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be located in a conspicuous place at or near each pull box and stop valve control and in the space where the extinguishing agent cylinders are stored. If the storage cylinders are separate from the protected space, the instructions must also include a schematic diagram of the system and instructions detailing alternate methods of releasing the extinguishing agent should the local manual release or stop valve controls fail to operate. Each control valve to a distribution line must be marked to indicate the space served. The FireBoy instructions were not found posted at the manual activation point located in the aft pull station. The crew members were found to be unfamiliar with their essential ship duties when questioned by the inspector and did not know the procedures for activating the FireBoy system from this location. 46 CFR 185.612(a)

The following spaces must be equipped with a fixed gas fire extinguishing system, in compliance with § 181.410, or other fixed fire extinguishing system specifically approved by the Commandant, except as otherwise allowed by paragraph (b) of this section:1) A space containing propulsion machinery. Alternative system types and exceptions to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section are: A pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be in compliance with § 181.420 of this part and may only be installed in a normally unoccupied machinery space, a paint locker, or a storeroom containing flammable liquids (including liquors of 80 proof or higher where liquor is packaged in individual containers of 9.5 liters (2.5 gallons) capacity or greater), with a gross volume of not more than 57 cubic meters (2,000 cubic feet). The vessel is outfitted with two machinery spaces in the port and starboard hulls that are connecting via a cross deck. The cross deck is open and freely communicates between both machinery spaces making it one space. The FireBoy system in each engine compartment must be large enough to distribute in both engine compartments and the cross deck. The engine compartments are approximately 250 cu/ft each and the cross deck is approximately 50 cu/ft making the entire space 550 ocu/ft. The FireBoy bottle in the port engine room is a 300 cu/ft. bottle and the FireBoy in the stbd engine room is a 500 cu/ft. bottle. Each bottle on its is not large enough to distribute upon automatic activation. The operator shall install bottles large enough for 550 cu/ft. in each space. Manual activation of both bottles is accepted as a temporary means until new bottles are installed. 46 CFR 181.400

Except as noted in paragraphs (d) and (e) of 46 CFR 184.610, each vessel must be equipped with a public address system. Each vessel that relies on electricity to power the following loads must be arranged so that the loads can be energized from two sources of electricity: Communication systems including a public address system required under § 184.610 of this chapter. The public address system is not connected to emergency power on the vessel and was found to be operational on AC generator power only. The operator is restricted from carrying passengers on the second deck until rectified. 46 CFR 183.310(a)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, all vessels shall be provided with not less than two avenues of escape from all general areas accessible to passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed, so located that if one is not available the other may be. The vessel has two decks accessible to passengers, with access to the second deck only through the stairwell located aft. Upon reaching the second deck, there is only one installed egress route, which is the stairwell leading up. The starboard engine room is located within approx. 5 feet of the stairwell on the main deck. The crew showed the inspector a portable aluminum ladder attached to the port side railing using zip ties. It was concerning to note that the crew was unable to remove the ladder by hand and required a knife to remove the ladder, which was found on the main deck below. It was observed that the ladder must be positioned over the front railing, which is at excursion vessel heights, and passengers must climb over the front railing on the second deck to access the ladder. The ladder is not tied to anything on the vessel and may fall if the vessel pitches and rolls. This presents a major hazard to passengers in the event of vessel movement or the massive actuation of people. The owner will submit a modification to the 2nd deck emergency egress route. This modification must meet New T regulations due to the following: the current ladder and egress route are not acceptable since passengers will need to climb the railing and balance on the forward deck while using a portable aluminum ladder that is not secured to descend to the main deck, a new modified egress route must meet 46 CFR 177. Passengers are restricted from using the second deck until the egress route is approved by the OCMI. 46 CFR 177.15-1

Fuses must be of the cartridge type only and be listed by Underwriters Laboratories or another independent laboratory recognized by the Commandant. Three new 50 amp blade fuses were found installed on the conductors from the battery charger to the battery switch. The installation occurred sometime after 2017 which is the manufacturer date for the battery charger. Fuses must be UL listed cartridge with a high enough amp interrupt capacity to meet the power source. 46 CFR 183.380(L)

Each circuit breaker must meet UL 489 (incorporated by reference; see 46 CFR 175.600) or other standard specified by the Commandant, and be of the manually reset type designed for: (1) Inverse time delay; (2) Instantaneous short circuit protection; and (3) Switching duty if the breaker is used as a switch. Every circuit breaker found on the AC distribution panel or AC switchboard is a UL 1077 breaker. UL 1077 breakers are supplementary breakers and do not meet the specifications for UL 489 circuit breakers. The installation for the panel occurred after 1996 as evidenced by the manufacturer date found on each breaker, therefore, the installation must comply with New T. Must be completed prior to credit drydock. 46 CFR 183.380(m)

New installations of electrical equipment and material, and the repair or replacement of wire and cable, on an existing vessel, which are completed to the satisfaction of the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) on or after March 11, 1996, must comply with this part. Replacement of existing equipment, not including wire or cable, installed on the vessel prior to March 11, 1996 need not comply with the regulations in this part. A new battery charger installation was found on the vessel in the battery storage closet. The battery charger has a manufacturer date of 2017. The battery charger was installed without Coast Guard oversight. Submit electrical plans for the battery charger installation. Submit electrical plans for the entire DC circuit along with a load analysis to the Marine Safety Center at [email withheld].

All electrical installations shall be to the satisfaction of the OCMI. The DC negative conductors are connected to a common bus bar inside of the battery storage cabinet but the negative bus bar is not connected to the common ground on the FRP hull vessel. Must be completed prior to credit drydock. 46 CFR 183.01-15(a)

Electrical equipment on a vessel must be installed and maintained to: (a) Provide services necessary for safety under normal and emergency conditions; (b) Protect passengers, crew, other persons, and the vessel from electrical hazards, including fire, caused by or originating in electrical equipment, and electrical shock; (c) Minimize accidental personnel contact with energized parts; and (d) Prevent electrical ignition of flammable vapors. The new AC Distribution panel installation is too small for the amount of conductors found inside. The conductors are bunched together and creating heat as evidenced by heat markings found on the neutral conductors on the neutral bus. Must be completed prior to credit drydock. 46 CFR 183.200

Electrical equipment on a vessel must be installed and maintained to: (a) Provide services necessary for safety under normal and emergency conditions; (b) Protect passengers, crew, other persons, and the vessel from electrical hazards, including fire, caused by or originating in electrical equipment, and electrical shock; (c) Minimize accidental personnel contact with energized parts; and (d) Prevent electrical ignition of flammable vapors. The starting conductor for the port main engine was found with a sharp bend and missing enclosure at the connection to the starter. The sharp bend creates resistance and is a potential for a fire. 46 CFR 183.200

The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection giving consideration to provisions for a seaworthy hull. Vessel has effected temporary repairs to port quarter hull breach. Provide repair proposal for permanent repair to port quarter hull breach and side panel damage in accordance with NVIC 8-87. 46 CFR 177.100

The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection giving consideration to provisions against fire, means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty, guards and rails in hazardous places, ventilation of enclosed spaces, and necessary facilities for passengers and crew. Vessel was involved in a collision. Must undergo appropriate inspection by USCG marine inspector. 46 CFR 177.100

The shutoff valve at the tank shall be operable from outside the tank compartment, preferably from an accessible position on the weather deck. The pull cable mounting support blocks at tank top found to be loose. 46 CFR 182.20-40(b)(3) (Old)

Provision must be made for closing all supply duct cowls or scoops and exhaust duct discharge openings for a space protected by a fixed gas extinguishing system. Ventilation closure devices were inoperable for the port and stbd main engine spaces. No closure device/procedure for generator space. 46 CFR 182.465(h)

Rails shall consist of evenly spaced courses and the spacing between courses shall be not greater than 12 inches except as provided by paragraph (f) of this section. The lower rail courses may not be required where all or part of the space below the upper rail course is fitted with a bulwark, chain link fencing, wire mesh or the equivalent. Canvas material wrapped around rails is attached via plastic zip ties. Zip ties found to be too weak to support a weighted load. 46 CFR 177.35-1(b) (Old)

In general, compliance with the standards established by a recognized classification society will be considered satisfactory evidence of the structural adequacy of a vessel. Port FWD fuel tank space found to have hole in the overheard to main deck at fuel fill creating watertight integrity issue. 46 CFR 177.10-1(a)(Old)

In general, compliance with the standards established by a recognized classification society will be considered satisfactory evidence of the structural adequacy of a vessel. Notated fractured weld at base of hand rail stanchion on the stbd bow. 46 CFR 177.10-1(a) (Old)

In general, compliance with the standards established by a recognized classification society will be considered satisfactory evidence of the structural adequacy of a vessel. Aft port steering transverse frame on overhead found to be rotted. 46 CFR 177.10-1(a) (Old)

Each hatch cover must - have securing devices. Both port and starboard watertight hatches found to be inoperable. 46 CFR 171.124(b)(2) (Old)

Each EPIRB must be tested monthly. The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise. documented, as applicable. EPIRB tests have not been conducted monthly along with a log not being maintained. 46 CFR 185.728

Each vessel that operates on the high seas, or that operates beyond three miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes, must have on board a FCC Type Accepted Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB installed to automatically float free and activate. Hydrostatic release for Category 1 EPIRB is expired. Vessel is limited to 3 nautical miles. 46 CFR 180.64

All life preservers shall be marked with the vessel's name. Life jackets found not marked with the vessel's full name. 46 CFR 180.25-15(a)(Old)

A vessel must comply with the applicable requirements for any radio installations including the requirements for a station license to be issued by the FCC. FCC station license physical copy unable to be located. 46 CFR 184.502

Repair railing stanchion on port bow of vessel. Given 30 days to complete from initial def check on 17OCT2019 due to timeline for parts to arrive.

Vessel must have a detailed inspection by FCC-licensed tech once every five years. Technician issued FCC radiotelephony certificate expired on 12DEC17. - 47CFR80.903 - 705c

Vessel operates on limited coastwise route requiring Cat. 1 float free EPIRB. Hydrostatic release expired DEC 16. - 46CFR180.64 - 705c

Visual alarm must be provided to indicate high bilge level. No visual alarm on STBD main engine bilge. - 46CFR182.530 - 705c

The support of each fire extinguisher must be permanently attached to bulkhead. Bungee cord support is inadequate on top deck A-2 extinguisher. - 46CFR181.500(d) - 705c

VESSEL HAD MISSED REQUIRED ANNUAL INSPECTION BY ESTIMATED SIX MONTHS. VESSEL MUST COMPLETE SATISFACTORY INSPECTION TO THE SATISFACTORY OF COAST GUARD MARINE INSPECTOR. 46 CFR 176.502

Repair port side steering ram mount damage. - 16c

Found external cracked FRP at port side bow, amidship both port side and starboard side, repair to satisfaction of attending marine inspector.

Found internal wood decay at port side bow forepeak, repair to satisfaction of attending marine inspector.

Tighten shaft packing on port shaft iaw 46CFR176.15-5.

Remove dead-end wires in stbd engine compartment iaw 46CFR183.01-15.

Replace/repair wood frame in sewage compartment iaw 46CFR176.17-5.

Replace broken bilge pumps IAW 46 CFR 182.25-1

Starboard engine room pre-engineered fixed firefighting system undersized. Replace with appropriate size IAW 46 CFR 181.400.

Emergency fuel shutoff valves inoperable. Prove proper operation IAW 46 CFR 182.455(b)(4)

Replace retroreflective tape on lifejackets IAW 46 CFR 180.71

Print and post emergency instructions at operating stations IAW 46 CFR 185.510

Obtain current coast pilot and light list IAW 46 CFR 184.420

Install positive shut off valves on hull penetration of bilge pump discharge line IAW 46 CFR 182.520(e)(6)