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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. Marine Inspector observed that the Port side Main Engine had exhaust leak coming off of the turbo. Make corrective actions to exhaust leak and observed by Marine Inspector.

Each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. The owner or managing operator must ensure the The system is installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's design manual and the design of the system and its installation on the towing vessel is certified and inspected by a registered professional engineer with experience in fire-detection system design, by a technician with qualifications as a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) level IV fire alarm engineering technician, or by an authorized classification society with equivalent experience. Vessel must provide evidence of certification of the installed fire detection system prior to conducting towing operations. 46CFR142.330 (a)(2)-(8).

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists or an essential system develops problems that require attention. Alarms and set points must be provided for main engine and auxiliary generator low lubricating oil pressure and must be tested at least twice every five years. Vessel was unable to test low lube oil pressure or demonstrate set points for alarms. Demonstrate alarms and set points prior to conducting towing operations. 46CFR 143.230(a)(1)&(3) and 46CFR 143.245.

Each towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage as listed in the noted regulations. Provide required charts and publications prior to conducting towing operations. 46 CFR 140.705, 33 CFR 164.72, 33 CFR 83.01.

Towing vessels must identify the duties and duty stations of each person on board during an emergency, and post at each operating station and in a conspicuous location in a space commonly visited by crew members. Provide watch station bill as required prior to towing operations. 46 CFR 140.405(c)

The employer shall provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all crew members to include education and training on drug use. Each EAP education program must include display and distribution of informational material, community service hot-line telephone number for crew member assistance, and the employer's policy regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace. Display information on board prior to towing operations. 46 CFR 16.401

The cognizant OCMI may require additional examinations of the vessel whenever he or she discovers or suspects damage or deterioration to hull plating or structural members that may affect the seaworthiness or fitness for the route or service of a vessel. Marine Inspectors identified the following items in the forepeak which bring into question the seaworthiness and fitness of the vessel: Large inset on starboard side hull plating, broken/missing structural members throughout the space, failing doubler plates. Vessel is required to make satisfactory repairs and conduct a drydock and internal structural exam to the satisfaction of an attending Coast Guard Marine Inspector prior to movement.

Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. Vessel could not produce records of any safety trainings or orientations specific to the vessel. Conduct required crew safety orientation/training prior to movement.

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. Marine Inspectors identified an ASME 200 psi MAWP pressure vessel piped in parallel with a non ASME 140 psi MAWP pressure vessel with a one way check valve as the only failsafe isolating the two systems. The relief valve on the smaller pressure vessel was set at 125 psi. If the check valve were to fail a significant risk of explosion exists.

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. Marine Inspectors identified the air intake emergency closure disabled on the Detroit auxiliary generator. Operator must reinstall the closure device so that in the event of an emergency the generator may be shut down.