AMERICAN COUNTESS

Due to the maintenance period layup of the vessel and reduced crewing (To fill all WQSB stations) no drills were witnessed during this quarterly inspection. Prior to getting the vessel underway with passengers all Fire/Safety/Security and rescue boat operations drills will be required to be witnessed by the USCG. This deficiency will need to be resolved at the end of this current maintenance period. Estimated to be Feb 2024. Contact Tom Alho [phone withheld] for resolution. [email withheld]

During the inspection of the Pilot House it was discovered that the "Rate of Turn" indicator was not operational. This is relied upon by the masters of the vessel and requires repairs. This deficiency will need to be resolved at the end of this current maintenance period. Estimated to be Feb 2024. Contact Tom Alho [phone withheld] for resolution.

Electric Installations on vessels must ensure: (3) maintenance of systems integrity through compliance with applicable system requirements to which plan review has been approved. The AMERICAN COUNTESS's electrical system was approved for 04 SSDG's at 1440 KW each. The #3 SSDG failed. Trouble shoot and repair the #3 SSDG to the satisfaction of the OCMI.

All marine engineering details and their appurtenances installed on the vessel shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with Subchapter F of 46 CFR. Vessel reported the engine for the STBD paddle wheel is inoperable due to a faulty circuit signal. Provide proof of repair and operation of subject engine.

Vessel reported loss of controls / feedback for the starboard Z Drive propulsion unit while underway near LMR 242. Prior to using the starboard Z Drive for propulsion, provide technician report detailing cause of failure and rectification of the unit. 46 CFR 77.05-01

The vessel experienced propulsion failure to its starboard azipod while departing from Memphis, TN on 15MAR23 due to unknown causes. In addition, it was reported that each azipod control intermittently alarms a "common alarm". The Marine Inspector witnessed the port azipod control initiate the "common alarm" on 16MAR23 while conducting a casualty investigation. Provide a technician report for the cause of the alarm and make satisfactory repairs.

The starboard paddle-wheel's inboard shaft bearings failed at MM 523 of the Lower Mississippi River. The paddle-wheel was taken out of service by the crew. Provide a report for the cause of the failure and make satisfactory repairs.

No repairs or alterations affecting the safety of the vessel with regard to the hull, machinery, or equipment shall be made without the knowledge of the [name withheld] center Z drive or related components is not operational. Repair or replace center Z drive or associated component(s) prior to operation and provide repair report to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

No repairs or alterations affecting the safety of the vessel with regard to the hull, machinery, or equipment shall be made without the knowledge of the [name withheld] center Z drive or related components is not operational. Repair or replace starboard Z drive or associated component(s) prior to operation and provide repair report to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector. Prior to entering each COTP Zone you must notify the local OCMI of the vessels current condition relating to the center Z drive.

(a) The material, design, construction, workmanship, and arrangement of main propulsion machinery and of each auxiliary, directly connected to the engine and supplied as such, must be at least equivalent to the standards established by the ABS Steel Vessel Rules (incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 58.03-1), except as otherwise provided by this subchapter. (b) When main and auxiliary machinery is to be installed without classification society review, the builder shall submit in quadruplicate to the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, such drawings and particulars of the installation as are required by the American Bureau of Shipping Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, Part 4 Vessel Systems and Machinery (2003) for similar installations on classed vessels. Vessel reported a loss of propulsion from STBD Z-drive when transiting lock 7, and made way to La Crosse with tug escort. Determine cause, provide repair plan, and technical repair report upon completion.

When alteration or repair of machinery systems becomes necessary, the work shall be done under the cognizance of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, and shall be done in accordance with the regulations. Plans of alterations to the propulsion system must be submitted to the Coast Guard for approval in accordance with 46CFR50.20-5 and 46CFR50.20-10. The vessel must receive proper plan approval, design verification, and inspection by an attending Marine Inspector. Vessel shall operate in accordance with an approved transit plan for each COTP Zone that the vessel transits until conditions are met. 46 CFR 62.20 / 46 CFR 50.20-5

The #4 generator shutdown during operation for unknown reasons. Repair/replace the generator to bring it back into operational status. Vessel is allowed to continue normal operations since the sole purpose of this generator is to provide power for the paddle wheel. The paddle wheel is not an essential component to navigation as the vessel has 3 z-drives.

46 CFR 199.630(e)(1) e) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of § 199.201(b), vessels may carry - (1) Liferafts having an aggregate capacity, together with the capacities of any lifeboats carried on board, sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board that are served by launching appliances or marine evacuation systems evenly distributed on each side of the vessel. Vessel has six (06) inflatable life rafts with each a capacity of fifty (50) persons = 300 total persons. Vessel is restricted to carrying 300 total persons. An appeal was submitted to SLMR OCMI; CG-835V is upheld by [name withheld] routed to D8 for determination. Per District Eight Prevention, [name withheld], 30 days has been granted from 27MAY2022 to rectify lifesaving deficiency; allowing the vessel to operate with 378 total persons onboard with Six (06) Fifty (50) person inflatable liferafts during this period. Issued a revised CG 835V to the vessel restricting the vessel to a total count of 358 persons. Vessel has (04) Liferafts at (50) persons each and (02) IBAs at (50) persons each. 378-200=178, 178x67%=120. 378-20=358.

The fixed sprinkler system pump in the chiller compartment has static leak at the shaft packing. The system remains operable and the system is supplied with an additional pump as well. Replace shaft packing at next off-season maintenance period to the satisfaction of the local OCMI.

46CFR58.05-1 Material, design and construction. (a) The material, design, construction, workmanship, and arrangement of main propulsion machinery and of each auxiliary, directly connected to the engine and supplied as such, must be at least equivalent to the standards established by the ABS Steel Vessel Rules ( incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 58.03-1), except as otherwise provided by this sub-chapter. (b) When main and auxiliary machinery is to be installed without classification society review, the builder shall submit in quadruplicate to the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, such drawings and particulars of the installation as are required by the American Bureau of Shipping Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, Part 4 Vessel Systems and Machinery (2003) for similar installations on classed vessels. The currently installed center "Z" drive propulsion unit is not operating properly. Repair or replace this defective unit. Provide documentation of the replacement unit/delivery time and replacement time. This vessel may continue to operate IAW your letter of 28Feb2022 for the first voyage of the vessel from New Orleans. This 835 requirement is to be re-evaluated upon its return trip to New Orleans on 15Mar2022, to allow the vessel to continue to operate until the next re-evaluation. The subsequent re-evaluations (Noted Below) will be conducted by SECTOR New Orleans OCMI. The vessel must contact the SECTOR New Orleans OCMI at the following numbers for re-evaluation of this 835 at either: [name withheld] @ [phone withheld] [name withheld] @ [phone withheld] [name withheld] @ [phone withheld] Re-evaluations will be on 15Mar2022, 22Mar2022, 29Mar2022. Documentation of the new "Z" drive purchase and delivery times must be provided to the [name withheld] prior to the inspection on 03Mar2022 for review by the OCMI. This 835 requirement is going to expire on 03Apr2022, (30 Days). Extended until 16 Aug and then again until 31 Aug 2022.

Every crew member must participate in at least one abandon ship drill and fire drill every month. Drills must be held before sailing when a vessel enters serviced for the first time ,after modifications of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged. Drills shall be completed by [name withheld] prior to vessel carrying passengers for hire.

The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months, except when a vessel is out of service due to repairs or seasonal suspension of operation provided that in such cases a drill must be conducted within one weeks of the vessel's reactivation. A security drill shall be completed by [name withheld] prior to vessel carrying passengers for hire.

Class 1 doors within passenger, crew, and working spaces are permitted only above a deck, the molding line of which, at its lowest point at side is at least 7 feet (2.14 meters) above the deepest load water line. Class 1 door between the generator room and the chiller room did not maintain a proper seal when operated. Vessel is to make sure class 1 door is functioning properly and maintains a proper seal when chalk tested.

Vessels must be equipped with independently driven fire pumps IAW Table 46 CFR 76.10-5(a). Submit fire pump installation proposal to cognizant OCMI for review. After conducting the inspection, I recommend the vessel continue to operate due to: 1. Fire pumps currently onboard are in separate spaces, 2. Vessel is outfitted with three (03) separate CO2 systems covering the emergency generator room, Paint locker, and liquor storage room, 3. Satisfactorily tested the fire pumps/system, 4. Vessel has an installed water spray system covering the hold deck, main deck, 2nd deck, and 3rd deck giving this vessel adequate fire protection coverage until the additional fire pump can be added to comply with the regulations.

The Vessel Response Plan (VRP) must cover all geographic areas of the United States in which the vessel intends to handle, store or transport oil, including port areas and offshore transit areas. The vessels VRP does not have the Sector Lower River Mississippi or Sector Ohio Valley COTP zone listed on its current VRP.

Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, and bearings must be suitable for route and service. It was reported that the vessel experienced a reduction in propulsion due to the vessel's starboard shafting bolts shearing from the reduction gear. The vessel is authorized to transit from Sector New Orleans [name withheld] to James Marine Hahnville for emergency dry-docking where the company is to conduct survey of the affected systems and make permanent repairs to the satisfaction of their TPO (ABS) and local USCG OCMI.

Every crew member must participate in at least one abandon ship drill and fire drill every month. Drills must be held before sailing when a vessel enters serviced for the first time ,after modifications of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged. This vessel has been in laid up service for over 6 months and several of the crew members are new to this vessel. Drills shall be completed by [name withheld] prior to vessel carrying passengers for hire.

The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months, except when a vessel is out of service due to repairs or seasonal suspension of operation provided that in such cases a drill must be conducted within one weeks of the vessel's reactivation. Vessel has been laid up for over 6 months and several crew members are new to this vessel. A security drill shall be completed by [name withheld] prior to vessel carrying passengers for hire.

Drills must be held before sailing when a vessel enters service for the first time, after modification of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged. While conducting the Initial COI, vessel was unable to conducted emergency drills for the attending Marine Inspectors, due to Covid-19 and crew complication. Prior to carrying passengers, vessel must complete all emergency drills for the attending Marine Inspector. 46 CFR 199.180(c)(3) 701C

Means shall be provided for closing all openings to the space protected from outside such space. In this respect, relatively tight doors, shutters, or dampers shall be provided for openings in the lower portion of the space. The construction shall be such that openings in the upper portion of the space can be closed off either by permanently installed means or by the use of canvas or other material which is normally carried by the vessel. Vessel's engine room is protected by CO2. Vessel's exhaust stacks (natural ventilation) for the engine room had no provisions for keeping the CO2 in the engine room. Vessel is required to install a compliant means to prevent the CO2 from escaping the engine room through the stacks. 46CFR76.15-35(c) 701C

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each vessel must have a stability letter issued by the Coast Guard before the vessel is placed into service. This letter sets forth conditions of operation. Vessel does not have an approved stability letter.

Each launching appliance must be approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.132 for use with the intended craft, with a winch approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.115 for use with the intended craft. Davit and winch are not approved under 46 CFR 160.

The following plans, if applicable to the particular vessel, must be submitted for Coast Guard review in accordance with §110.25-3. Submitted electrical plans are not approved and under review.

All automatically or remotely controlled or monitored vital systems addressed by part 62 of this subchapter must be subjected to tests and inspections to evaluate the operation and reliability of controls, alarms, safety features, and interlocks. Test procedures must be submitted to the Coast Guard for approval. Test procedures are not approved and under review.

Drills must be held before sailing when a vessel enters service for the first time, after modification of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged. Vessel needs to conduct drills with all crew onboard.

A Certificate of Documentation is required for the operation of a vessel in certain trades, serves as evidence of vessel nationality, and permits a vessel to be subject to preferred mortgages. Vessel does not currently have valid COD.