USNS SISLER

The company should establish procedures to ensure that the ship is maintained in conformity with the provisions of the relevant rules and regulations and with any additional requirements which may be established by the company. The ship has a safety policy for crew to clean the laundry dryer lint filters before and after use. The marine inspector observed lint clogging the filters in all three of the crew laundry dryers and additional lint in the exhaust ventilation to the dryers on the 01 deck, port side. The build up of lint and fabric particles creates a fire hazard in the space.

The fire resistance of doors shall, as far as practicable, be equivalent to that of the division in which they are fitted. The marine inspector observed an A-15 door and an additional watertight door open with "hold backs." The two doors separate the Ro-Ro cargo space from the battery storage space on the port side of deck 5C.

All electrical apparatus shall be so constructed and so installed as not to cause injury when handled or touched in the normal manner. Identified a battery charger plugged into a 110V outlet, located in the secure comms room on the stbd side of deck 5C, that is installed directly under a leaking grey water pipe for the vessel. The electrical outlet and battery charger are not protected against the dripping hazard from above creating an electrical fire hazard.

The main inlets and outlets of all ventilation systems shall be capable of being closed from outside the spaces being ventilated. The secure comms room located on the stbd side of 5C deck has an entrance door that is secured with two padlocks and a security bar. The space can only be accessed by one individual on the vessel and no other arrangements are in place to open the door by the crew in the event of an emergency. Remote ventilation shut downs for the space below the secure comms locker are located inside of the secure comms locker space. The crew cannot access the ventilation shut downs without the one individual that has sole access to the space, which delays fire response actions required by the crew in the event of a fire in that space.

Before the ship leaves port and at all times during the voyage, all life-saving appliances shall be in working order and ready for immediate use. Per SOLAS 74 (2020 Cons) Ch III Reg 31.2, cargo ships shall carry at least one rescue boat complying with the requirements of section 5.1 of the Code. A lifeboat may be accepted as a rescue boat, provided that it and its launching and recovery arrangements also comply with the requirements for a rescue boat. The master reported that the crew members were unable to start the rescue boat engine and received an OEM fault code when attempting to remedy the engine failure. The crew members contacted the rescue boat manufacturer and an OEM representative is required to attend in order to clear the OEM code prior to starting the engine. Furthermore, the lifeboats cannot be used as a rescue boat since the powered winch motors do not comply with the lifting capabilities listed in LSA Code Ch VI Reg 6.1.1.9. Provide an ABS class report attesting to the proper operation of the rescue boat. SOLAS 74 (2020 Cons.) Ch III Reg 20.2

Every chief engineer officer and second engineer officer on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 3,000 KW propulsion power or more shall hold a STCW certificate of competency. The chief engineer's U.S. merchant mariner credential is not endorsed for chief engineer service (STCW III/2) on board the USNS SISLER. The vessel was previously sailing short by one first assistant engineer as per the minimum manning listed on the Certificate of Inspection. The vessel is now sailing short by one first assistant engineer and one chief engineer and is not in compliance with the minimum manning listed on the Certificate of Inspection. SOLAS 74 as amended, regulation V/14 and STCW 78 as amended, Ch III, Reg III/2

Before the ship leaves port and at all times during the voyage, all life saving appliances shall be in working order and ready for immediate use. As per SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. III Reg 41.1.6, each lifeboat shall be of sufficient strength to withstand, when loaded with its full compliment of persons and equipment, a lateral impact against the ship's side at an impact velocity of at least 3.5m/s. The #3 starboard lifeboat FRP shell was found fractured on the port side immediately adjacent to the rubber fender installation, approx 5 ft aft of bow. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. III Reg 19.2

Where davit arms are recovered by power, safety devices shall be fitted which will automatically cut off the power before the davit arms reach the stops in order to avoid over stressing the falls or davits, unless the motor is designed to prevent such over stressing. The forward magnetic operated limit switch on starboard life boat #3 was found with a mounting bracket that was heavily corroded and positioned the magnet at an angle that will prevent the limit switch from making magnetic contact with the davit. The aft magnetic operated limit switch on starboard life boat #3 was found with an electrical enclosure that was not watertight. The conductors inside of the enclosure were found corroded and may create electrical resistance or failure of the limit switch when energized. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. III Reg 48.2.5

An emergency alarm system complying with the requirements of regulation 50 shall be provided. The system shall be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication. The public address speaker installed at the focsle was not operational when tested by the crew. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. III Reg 2.4.2

In addition to complying with the specific provisions for fire integrity of bulkheads and decks, the minimum fire integrity of bulkheads shall be as prescribed in table 44.1. The galley rolling fire door between the galley and corridor does not close and permits the passage of smoke and flame between the "A" class division. The "A" class fire doors between the galley and corridor were found open with hold back hooks and line. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. II-2 Reg 44

Ventilator openings shall be provided with weather tight closing appliances. The weather tight gaskets for intake 02-101-2 were found both wasted and missing. The ventilator hatch is not weather tight. ICLL 1966 Ch. 1 Reg 19.4

Terminations and joints in all conductors shall be so made as to retain the original electrical, mechanical, flame retarding and, where necessary, fire resisting properties of the cable. The grounding conductor for the #4 winch located at the focsle was found disconnected and missing the thermoplastic around the conductor at the termination. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. II-I Reg 45.5.6

All the steering gear components and the rudder stock shall be of sound and reliable construction to the satisfaction of the Administration. MI identified external lube oil filtering devices which are in use for steering system pumps; 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and both stern tube lubrication systems permanently installed without approved plans and using flexible non fire rated hoses and their power source not installed as required. Systems should not be operated in a permanent fashion pending class plan and installation approval. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. II-1 Reg 29.2.1

Measures shall be taken to the satisfaction of the Administration to ensure that the equipment is functioning in a reliable manner and that satisfactory arrangements are made for regular inspections and routine tests to ensure continuous reliable operation. Procedure 2-C-6, Steering Gear Phase Failure Alarm does not work as written in the ABS approved January 10th, 2020 PSTP’s. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. II-1 Reg 46.2 and 46 CFR 61.20-3

Watertight door indicators are to be provided at the control position showing whether the doors are open or closed, and an audible alarm is to be provided at the door closure. Sliding watertight door audible alarms for the engineering operating station and access to the steering gear rooms were not functional when tested. SOLAS 74 (1997 cons.) Ch. II-1 Reg 25-9.2

A food ration totaling not less than 100,000 kj for each person the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate; these rations shall be kept in airtight packaging. Packing to be hermetically sealed (can) or vacuum packed (flexible package). All lifeboats contained food rations packages that had lost the vacuum. SOLAS III/41.8.12 (1997 Edition)

The following fire protection systems shall be kept in good working order so as to ensure their required performance if fire occurs: structural fire protection,including fire-resistant divisions, and protection of opening and penetrations in these divisions. Cable penetrations beneath the x band radar and both ECDIS comprimised open. Crew repacked items with approved material but did not have the manufacturer's instruction on how to apply it to the required A60 deck standard. SOLAS II-2/14.2.1.1(2020 Edition)

The following fire protection systems shall be kept in good working order so as to ensure their required performance if fire occurs: structural fire protection,including fire-resistant divisions, and protection of opening and penetrations in these divisions. Stairtower self-closing fire door 3-112-2 and incinerator room self-closing fire door adjacent to galley do not latch closed. SOLAS 74 II-2/14.2.1.1.1(2020 Edition)

The following fire protection spaces shall be kept in good order so as to ensure their required performance if a fire occurs: structural fire protection, including fire-resisting divisions, and protection of openings and penetrations in these divisions. Found MCT system, on the EDG bulkhead, was compromised with mixed materials, and not IAW manufacturers instruction for A60 penetration. SOLAS 74 II-2/14.2.1.1.1(2020 Edition)

The condition of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to condition with the provisions of the present regulations to ensure that the ship in all respects will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. Found installed wiring in the 02 fiddley stack space improperly secured/supported with rope. 74SOLAS(20)I/11(a)

The condition of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to condition with the provisions of the present regulations to ensure that the ship in all respects will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. Deck drain piping passing through the engineering operating station is holed. 74SOLAS(20)I/11(a)

Materials readily rendered ineffective by heat shall not be used for fire mains and hydrants unless adequately protected. Material selection for piping and components shall be in accordance with 46CFR56.60 or ASTM F1155. Brass or bronze materials may be used in accordance with these standards. Numerous fire hydrants in the steering gear and engine room spaces have wye gates installed that are constructed out of aluminum. 74SOLAS(97)II-2/4.6.1 U.S. Supplement To ABS Rules For Steel Vessels For Vessels Certificated For International Voyages dated 1 April 2011.

Hoses specified in this chapter as “fire hoses” shall, together with any necessary fittings and tools, be kept ready for use in conspicuous positions near the water service hydrants or connections. Numerous fire hydrants in the steering gear and engine room spaces are missing spanner wrenches. 74SOLAS(97)II-2/4.7.1

The condition of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to condition with the provisions of the present regulations to ensure that the ship in all respects will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. Found extension cords permanently installed in the engine room. 74SOLAS(20)I/11(a)

The condition of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to condition with the provisions of the present regulations to ensure that the ship in all respects will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. Found the ships personnel elevator electrical control panel door open for natural cooling of electrical components, and a portable fan installed on the elevator motor for forced cooling. 74SOLAS(20)I/11(a)

The condition of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to condition with the provisions of the present regulations to ensure that the ship in all respects will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. Found an electrically powered speaker not properly mounted with its power cord not properly secured in the engine room machinery workshop. 74SOLAS(20)I/11(a)

Pump in cargo hold OWS has been replaced with a higher rated through put (8 gpm vs 15 gpm). Higher rated overboard water discharge, recorded in ORB. A non-comformity issued for log book entries and pump deficiency. New pump has been ordered

There shall be an alternative means consisting of a fixed independently driven emergency pump. The emergency fire pump is leaking excessively from the shaft seal. Make repairs and prove proper operation.

"A" Class divisions shall be capable of preventing passage of smoke and flame for one hour. The incinerator space has three temporary repairs on a HVAC drainage pipe, which affects an Class A-60 fire boundary. Make permanent repairs to piping/insulation and restore fire boundary.

Ships shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in compliance with the structural, mechanical, and electrical requirements. The rescue boat battery charger cable is not marine grade and is spliced on both ends. Remove unauthorized installation and replace with marine grade cable via a junction box.

Doors fitted in boundary bulkheads shall be self closing. Fire Door 7-84.5-2 will not close. Make repairs and prove proper operation.