ALEXA RAY

Towing vessels must meet the communications requirements of 33 CFR part 26 and 33 CFR 164.72, as applicable. VHF radios do not meet DSC requirements in 47 CFR 80. 46 CFR 140.715 (a)

The VHF-FM radio must be installed at each operating station and connected to a functioning battery backup. VHF radios not connected to battery backup. 46 CFR 140.715 (b)

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110. Electronic water lights are currently fitted with unapproved batteries. 46 CFR 141.360 (c)(2)

Portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with the inspection, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests required by Chapters 7 and 8 of NFPA 10. Marine Inspector identified damage to hose of the semi-portable fire extinguisher.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. Marine Inspector found cracks in the outer protective shell of the life float.

Each device must be free of design defects such as rough or sharp edges that may cause bodily injuries or that would allow toxic substances to escape to the interior of the vessel. Marine Inspectors identified a leaking temp repair which was authorized at the prior annual inspection under the condition that a full MSD tank replacement is completed prior to the next annual inspection. Vessel failed to replace MSD as required.

Records, unless required to be maintained for a longer period by statute or other federal regulation, must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry. The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR: (1) Personnel records, in accordance with § 140.400; (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with § 140.420. Marine Inspectors found the records maintained on board the vessel to be inadequate. Submit a plan to rectify vessel record keeping practices to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons on board under normal and emergency conditions. Temporary repair made is acceptable under the condition that a full equivalent tank replacement is completed prior to next annual inspection. Full MSD tank replacement must be verified prior to 14JAN25 by an attending USCG Marine Inspector.

Essential systems or equipment must be regularly tested and examined. Tests and examinations must verify that the system or equipment functions as designed. If a component is found unsatisfactory, it must be repaired or replaced. The is rust and wastage leading to a leak of sewage from the MSD. Temporary repair made is acceptable under the condition that a full equivalent tank replacement is completed prior to next annual inspection.

Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery space and for closing, in case of fire, each doorway, ventilator, and annular space around funnels and other openings into such spaces. The vent closure on the main stack was missing. Replace to ensure space sealing capability.

A fixed fire pump must be capable of delivering water at a pitot-tube pressure of at least 344 kilopascals (kPa) (50 pounds per square inch (psi)). Means shall be provided to monitor fire pump output pressure. Install means to read fire pump water output pressure.

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. The Marine Inspector (MI) observed the flexible fuel line servicing the port main engine primary filter in unserviceable condition. Owner/operator to replace fuel line with appropriate replacement prior to movement of vessel. Cite: 46 CFR 143.205(a)

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Individual circuit breakers on switchboards and distribution panels must be labeled with a description of the loads they serve. MI observed closed and unlabeled breakers in the engine room panel box in addition to an open breaker socket. Owner/operator is required to label all breakers with the circuit name serviced or identify the breaker as a spare if unused. Additionally, a blank plate or other acceptable device must be installed to close the opening in the distribution panel. Cite: 46 143.400 (a) (d)

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation. Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. The MI observed the Safety Orientation was overdue for new crew member. Provide training to crew member and proof of training being logged per regulations. Cite: 46 CFR 140.410

Unless otherwise stated, each crewmember must receive the instruction required by this section annually. Records of drills and instruction must be maintained in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. The record must include: (1) The date of the drill and instruction; (2) A description of the drill scenario and instruction topics; (3) The personnel involved. The MI observed the logging of all required information regarding Emergency Drills and Instructions was missing from procedures/forms. Provide trainings and proof of training being logged per regulations to include updated forms. Cite: 46 CFR 140.420

Pressure vessels over 5 cubic feet in volume and over 15 pounds per square inch maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) must be equipped with an indicating pressure gauge (in a readily visible location) and with one or more spring-loaded relief valves. The total relieving capacity of such relief valves must prevent pressure from exceeding the MAWP, as established by the manufacturer, by more than 10 percent. The relief valve installed on starboard air tank is rated for 180 psi, which is over the tank’s MAWP of 175 psi. Cite: 46 CFR 143.300(a)

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. Cotter pins for linkages of steering gear were missing. Cite: 46 CFR 143.205(a)

Each link certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of this subpart must have a corrosion resistant, waterproof tag attached to it. Marine Inspector observed required tag was missing from float free link. Cite: 46 CFR 160.073-20(a)

"Towing vessels must be equipped with the following equipment as applicable to the area of operation: (a) Fathometer (except Western Rivers). Fathometer to be installed at next drydock.

All owners and operators of an existing towing vessel must have a valid COI prior to the specified phase-in period. This vessel is one of the 50% of the vessels that has not obtained a valid COI. The vessel shall be made available for a Coast Guard COI inspection within 90 days. If an inspection is not completed prior to this date the action for this deficiency shall be changed to a 60(Rectify deficiencies prior to movement) and they vessel may no longer be permitted to operate.

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. Identified excessive shaft leakage on port & starboard propulsion shaft with rigged means of dewatering with pumps to maintain leakage, creating a serious substandard condition not being pro-actively managed by the Company, vessel owner, and/or operator. 46CFR143.205(c)

Each towing vessel must be fitted with a general alarm that: Is activated at each operating station and can notify persons on board in the event of an emergency; Is capable of notifying persons in any accommodation, work space, and the engine room. The general alarm light was inoperable in the bottom of the engine room, a light needs to be installed on the top of the engine room, and the alarm could not be heard on the main deck when the engine room doors were shut, install an alarm on the outside deck. 46CFR143.235

Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks accessible to crew. Equivalent protection may include lifelines, wire rope, chains, and bulwarks that provide strength and support equivalent to fixed rails. In areas where space limitations make deck rails impractical, such as at narrow catwalks in way of deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted. No railing or hand grabs alongside the side deck superstructure, creating an unsafe condition for crew members to fall overboard. 46CFR144.800(a)