RILEY P

The requirements in this paragraph are applicable to any vessel equipped with AIS. MI observed the AIS system was operable but with active error modes related to different data fields and inputs to the unit that could not be cleared or rectified. Ensure AIS operates with all necessary updates or error corrections to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector prior to movement.

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date...charts, including electronic charts acceptable to the Coast Guard... MI observed the electronic chart system (ECS) installed on a portable laptop was disconnected from the internet and hadn't had a software update in nearly a year. Update any relevant software/firmware for the ECS to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector prior to movement.

...rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. MI observed both propulsion shafts in the engine room exposed at the deck plate level where crew could reasonably step and become entangled. Install shaft guards over the entire length of the exposed shafting to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector.

Closure devices must be provided for deckhouse...which may allow water to enter the vessel. MI observed the gaskets/seals on both weathertight doors on the pilothouse, and engine room escape scuttle were deteriorated and no longer providing a sufficient seal. Replace gaskets/seals to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector.

Survival craft must be stowed in accordance with 46 CFR 199.130... MI observed the liferaft improperly installed to ensure an adequate painter arrangement. Arrangement was corrected on the spot in the presence of the Marine Inspector.

Electrical systems and equipment must...minimize...fire and shock hazards. MI observed the generator start battery unsecured on an adjacent deck plate. Secure battery so that it is stationary to prevent unsafe movement during operations to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an industrial type first aid cabinet or kit... MI observed First Aid kit equipped with expired consumable products. Replace expired products to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector.

Vessels must be manned in accordance with the COI. The vessel is operated as a bareboat charter, and as such, the licensed master and crew will vary throughout the operating year. With each iteration of charterer, the 'Operator' portion of the COI must be amended. All of the following applicable items must also be examined prior to operations: mariner credentials, certificates and documents, drug and alcohol program and employee assistance program enrollment, health and safety plan, personnel records and emergency duty station assignments, crew training records, navigation assessment, and charts and publications. These items will need to be coordinated with the local Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) as soon as a charterer is identified to ensure timely inspection scheduling.

To stop the flow of fuel in the vent of a fire or break in the fuel leak, a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover. The valve must be operable form a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed. The remote fuel shutoff for the two valves on the starboard side only closed one of the valves partway when tested, and the second valve remained fully open.

Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists. The following alarms must be provided: high bilge levels. Alarms must be audible and visual at each operating station. The high bilge level alarm in the lazarette / steering gear compartment is currently not providing an alarm when tested.

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage, including (1) charts, including electronic charts acceptable to the Coast Guard, of appropriate scale to make safe navigation possible. The Rosepoint version currently in use onboard, Coastal Explorer, is the recreational version that does not meet the chart equivalency requirements. If electronic charts are used, the commercial rather than recreational version of Rosepoint must be used.

Towing vessels must be equipped with the following equipment, as applicable to the area of operation: electronic position-fixing device, satisfactory for the area in which the vessel operates. The installed GPS unit has been affected by the GPS rollover phenomenon and no longer displays the correct date, time, or position. Provide a GPS unit that provides accurate/correct date, time, and position.

The following items must be recorded in the TVR…items 1-9 listed. Records must be kept available for review by the Coast Guard upon request. Records must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry. At the time of inspection there were no TVR entries between the date of last year’s COI inspection, 5/21/24, and today’s attendance on 5/20/25. Provide TVR entries for the past year.

AIS must be maintained in effective operating condition. AIS currently is malfunctioning and not effectively transmitting own ship’s data.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. Each lifejacket must have a lifejacket light approved under 161.012 or 161.112. Each immersion suit must have a lifejacket light approved under approval series 161.112. Lifejacket lights state on label that batteries must be replaced annually. There is no evidence that batteries are in-date for the yearly replacement cycle. Replace all the batteries and begin tracking the dates to facilitate future compliance.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. Stearn immersion suits have manufacturer dates of 2021, 2009, 2009, and 2006. The manufacturer’s instructions for Stearn suits requires servicing at 2 years intervals until the suit is 5 years old, and then annually. There is no record of servicing (i.e. pressure testing) of these 4 immersion suits. Provide evidence of shoreside servicing/pressure testing for the suits.

Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in Table 142.230 (a) of this section. Most portable extinguishers are currently ashore for servicing. Once extinguishers are returned onboard and reinstalled in the brackets, present to attending Marine Inspector for verification.

Paints, coatings, or other flammable or combustible products must be stored in a designated storage room or cabinet when not in use. If a storage room is provided, it may be any room or compartment that is free of ignition sources. Aerosol cans and similar flammable/combustible products are being stored in a small two shelf bookcase in the engine room, which has several possible ignition sources. Relocate these to a separate dedicated storage cabinet stored outside the engine room. A 40:B portable fire extinguisher will be required near the cabinet. Update 6/24/25: deficiency due date has been extended until 7/24/25.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. The rockets for the 4 linethrowing appliance charges have expiration dates of 11/2021, 4/2025, 4/2025, and 5/2025. All rockets need to be replaced. Code 705 - prior to embarking on a Coastwise route

Vsl failed to submit inspection request to Sector Puget Sound after COI was invalidated on 14MAY21.

Prove proper operation of vessel's fire pump prior to operation.

A towing vessel that is certificated for rivers, lakes, bays, and sounds, must be equipped with either: an approved 160-B semi-portable fire-extinguishing system to protect the engine room; or a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room. A fixed-fire-extinguishing system is a carbon dioxide system that satisfies the requirements of 46 CFR 76.15 and 46 CFR 78.47-9 and 78.47-11, and that is approved by the Commandant.

Each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. Each detector, control panel, remote indicator panel, and fire alarm are approved by the Commandant under approval series 161.002 or listed by a NRTL as set forth in 29 CFR 1910.7; 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,to comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section. A towing vessel whose construction was contracted for prior to January 18, 2000, may use an existing engine room monitoring system (with fire-detection capability) instead of a fire-detection system, if the monitoring system is operable and complies with paragraphs (a)(2) through (7) of this section, and uses detectors listed by an NRTL.