CAPTAIN ED

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the following: (a) All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. Engine room bilges were filled with oil, used oil filters, and debris, exhaust lagging is oil soaked and hanging off exhaust piping, various equipment in engine room have heavy accumulation of oil. Vessel to remove oily residue and secure lagging prior to inspection.

Towing vessels of more than 65 feet in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(b) Fire extinguishers not mounted in brackets and stowed improperly. Vessel to verify appropriate number and type of extinguisher for locations prior to inspection.

Each vessel must carry a certificate with a valid endorsement while subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act. Vessel could not produce a Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephony Certificate. Provide a valid Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephony Certificate to USCG MI.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. MI’s observed a GFCI breaker in the galley unable to test, a GFCI outlet in the crews head hanging out from the bulkhead, and multiple dead end wiring within the machinery space. Renew/repair all malfunctioning/improperly installed GFCI outlets. Remove or enclose all dead end wiring within a electrical safe enclosure.

Employers must maintain records of chemical tests as provided in 49 CFR 40.333 and must make these records available to the Coast Guard upon request. Provide proof of pre-employment testing and proof of enrollment in a random chemical testing program for all employees onboard the vessel.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights, shapes, and sound signals in accordance with the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) or 33 CFR part 84 as appropriate to its area of operation. Vessel had multiple navigation lights extinguished. Vessel to replace lights and make operational prior to inspection. Daytime operation only.

Inspection and testing. All portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems, fire-detection systems, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems, including ventilation, machinery shutdowns, and fixed fire-extinguishing system pressure-operated dampers on board the vessel, must be inspected or tested at least once every 12 months, as prescribed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of this section, or more frequently if otherwise required by the TSMS applicable to the vessel. Crew had not conducted monthly inspection of fire extinguishers since annual maintenance. Vessel to develop plan to conduct and record monthly inspections.

The officer in charge of a navigational watch must conduct a navigation assessment for the intended route and operations prior to getting underway. The navigation assessment must incorporate the requirements of pilothouse resource management of § 140.640, assess operational risks, and anticipate and manage workload demands. At a minimum, this assessment must consider: Vessel was not able to provide a record of completed navigation assessments. Vessel was able to show they had a navigation assessment in place, but was not being utilized. Vessel to develop plan to conduct and record navigation assessments.

Inspections and tests of lifesaving equipment must be recorded in the TVR or official logbook. Vessel was not familiar with proper testing procedures of the EPIRB and log entries were not made. Conduct proper testing of EPIRB IAW 46 CFR 199.190 and make proper entries. This is not an all inclusive list as the annual inspection on 10FEB2023 was not completed. Vessel operator to assess compliance with Sub-chapter M and prepare for re-attendance of marine inspector.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crew members are capable of performing the duties expected of them during emergencies. This includes abandoning the vessel, recovering persons from the water, responding to onboard fires and flooding, or responding to other threats to life, property, or the environment. Each drill must, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there was an actual emergency. MI's initiated a man overboard drill as well as a separate fire drill. During the man overboard drill, there was not clear communication between the deckhand and captain. The simulated man overboard was retrieved by his head and neck potentially causing further severe damage if the event had been real. Once onboard, no initial first aid was administered without instruction by the master and even then, the crewmember did not appear willing to perform first aid nor familiar with proper first aid procedures. During the fire drill, no sense of emergency was present from the crew. A fire boundary to the engine room was left open, MI's stopped the drill at that point.

All crewmembers must be provided with health and safety information and training. MI's were provided with training records for health and safety that were not valid due to the training not being conducted annually. Provide all crew with proper health and safety training and document annual training dates in the owner or managing operators records.

Piping and machinery components that exceed 220 °C (428 °F), including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers, must be insulated. Measures must be in place to prevent flammable or combustible liquid piping leaks from coming into contact with these components. MI observed a lube oil storage tank with a drain valve that if accidentally left open, would drain the entire contents of the tank into the bilge. Install a locking valve on the drain pipe.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. MI observed dead end wiring on the starboard side of the engine room by the ladder. Either remove wiring completely, or dead end the wiring within an enclosure to the satisfaction of the MI.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with a means to detect smoke in the berthing spaces and lounges that alerts individuals in those spaces. This may be accomplished by an installed detection system, or by using individual battery-operated detectors meeting UL 217 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter). Detection systems or individual detectors must be kept operational at all times when the crew is onboard the towing vessel. Vessel found with inoperable smoke detectors and detectors not meeting UL 217. Replace detectors and ensure all operable.

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. Batteries were found in enclosed containers but not protected against shifting. Install a means to prevent shifting of batteries within enclosure.

Closure devices must be provided for deckhouse or hull penetrations, which open to the exterior of the vessel and which may allow water to enter the vessel. These devices must be suitable for the expected route. Port side watertight door leading to galley found with degraded gasket. Replace gasket.

The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location:(1) Main engine lubricating oil pressure and main engine RPM;(c)(3)Auxiliary generator engine lubricating oil pressure and auxiliary generator engine RPM. Install rpm gauges on all machinery.