CAPTAIN RON

An exposed hazard, such as gears or rotating machinery must be properly protected by a cover, guard, or rail. Missing guards on port and center main diesel engine. Renew with guard.

A vessel must be provided with bilge pumps in accordance with Table 182.520(a). Vessel has bilge pumps with a fire pump as secondary. Fire pump operates at 70psi, but was not able to test suction for bilge. Have bilge and piping cleaned and tested at next drydock: 31MAY2026.

The master of the vessel shall ensure the EPIRB battery is replaced before the date required by FCC regulations. EPIRB battery was expired. Vessel is restricted to 3NM from shore until cleared. 46 CFR 185.728 46 CFR 180.40-1 (OLD T) 46 CFR 185.25-20 (OLD T)

Each EPIRB must be tested monthly and shall be logged or otherwise documented. Vessel only had record of past two months of EPIRB tests logged. 46 CFR 185.728

Circuit breakers and fuses shall be examined visually to determine suitability for service intended. Circuit breaker had an open space without a blank installed. 46 CFR 176.25-15 (OLD T)

Repairs or alterations to the hull...that affect the safety of the vessel must not be made without the approval of the cognizant OCMI, except during an emergency. Repairs or alterations that affect the safety of the vessel include, but are not limited to: replacement, repair, or refastening of deck or hull planking, plating, and structural members; repair of plate or frame cracks...On August 13, 2021, the [name withheld] collided with the barge WEB 323, causing an approximate 12" crack at the main deck/side shell corner plating, thus effecting the vessels watertight integrity and seaworthiness of the vessel. The vessel shall proceed as requested to Broussard Brothers in Intracoastal City, LA to perform necessary repairs to gain necessary watertight integrity. Repairs shall be made to the satisfaction of the local OCMI.

Remote fuel shutoff stations shall be marked in at least 1-inch letters indicating purpose of the valve and direction of operation. Both remote fuel shutoff valves were not labeled and were missing direction of operation arrows. Vessel shall permanently label both remote fuel shutoff valves and label direction of operation by arrows or other appropriate means. 46 CFR 185.30-20(a)

All ducts for spaces containing machinery shall be of rigid permanent construction of fire proof material and reasonably gastight from end to end. The ducts shall lead as direct as possible and be properly fastened and supported. Ventilation closures for the stbd side engine room were inoperable. Vessel shall make ventilation closures for the stbd side engine room operable. 46 CFR 182.20-45(d)

On a vessel of at least 7.9 meters (26 feet) in length, a visual and audible alarm must be provided at the operating station to indicate a high water level in each normally unmanned space. All four bilge indicator lights on board vessel were inoperable. Vessel shall repair/ replace all four bilge indicator lights. 46 CFR 182.530(a)

Bilges and other spaces must not have accumulation of oil or other matter which might create a fire hazard. Bilges in engine room were found to have significant oily water accumulation. Vessel shall remove oily water accumulation in engine room bilges. 46 CFR 176.25-50(b)

Where a flexible fill pipe section is necessary, suitable flexible tubing or hose having high resistance to salt water, petroleum oils, heat and vibration, may be used. Such hose shall overlap metallic pipe ends at least 1.5 times the pipe diameter and shall be secured at each end by two hose clamps of corrosion resistant metal. Vessel was missing double hose clamp on fuel fill line. Vessel shall install a second hose clamp on the fuel fill line. 46 CFR 182.20-30(d)

All life preservers shall be marked with the vessel's name. Two life jackets were not labeled with the name of the vessel. Vessel shall label two life jackets with name of vessel. 46 CFR 180.25-15(a)

Vessels operated more than 100 nautical miles but not more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest land must be equipped with a VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation. GPS was not connected to the VHF radio, rendering the DSC alert function unable to send position information.

Vessel completed unapproved hull repairs and failed to notify Coast Guard that repairs were conducted.