USS-4

Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose through vibration or accidental contact. The power cable for the water heater was not properly clamped around the cable shield. Properly secure the power cable.

Steering systems must meet ABS Rules for building and classing steel vessels under 295 feet in length. There were multiple steering hoses that were chaffing across the deck and equipment edges as the steering gear is swung. Install chaff gear around hydraulic steering hoses.

The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel must establish procedures to address fall overboard prevention and recovery of persons in the water. United Steel did not have a plan to prevent falls overboard. A fall prevention plan shall be developed and implemented. ALL employees shall conduct, and acknowledge, training of the fall prevention plan.

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110. Both lifebuoys were outfitted with float lights attached to spring type connectors of non-approved batteries. The proper screw post type batteries, as approved on the light, shall be installed.

At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110. starboard float light inoperative. repair light.

Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery spaces and for closing, in case of fire, each ventilator. Both port and starboard dampers were inoperable. Service/repair both dampers.

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford protection against hazards to life, property, and the environment. port and starboard shaft packings were leaking excessively. Adjust shaft packing to reduce water intrusion.

All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. There was an excessive amount of grease in shaft space resulting in an accumulation of oil in bilges. clean bilges as required.

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. There was a valve installed between the air compressor and the pressure switch, should this valve become closed the compressor would not shut off as intended creating an unsafe condition. Remove the valve

A work space must be of adequate construction and with suitable equipment to provide for the protection of the crew. A light in the machinery space was missing its cover and the bulb is shattered. Repair light.

All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. There was an observed steering leak at the bottom of a fitting.

All towing vessels must be operated in a manner that minimizes the risk of down-flooding and progressive flooding. The gasket in the watertight door was wasted between the engine room and the shaft space. Repair the gasket.

Each towing vessel must have a means to monitor and control the amount of thrust, rudder angle, and (if applicable) direction of thrust, at each operating station. The rudder Angle indicator was missing. Replace/install a rudder angle indicator.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers 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. Crews are not conducting drills at frequencies required on each vessel. Crews are conducting drills on only one vessel per drill cycle. All Masters and crew-members who operate this vessel must conduct fire and person in the water drills on this vessel. provide documentation attesting to completion of drills for all crew and provide proof of corrective actions taken to mitigate future occurrence.

The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must ensure all hatches and openings of the hull and deck are kept tightly closed. Aft well deck hatch found open allowing progressive flooding into stern void. Close hatch and label "WATER TIGHT HATCH - KEEP CLOSED" per 46 CFR 144.160. Also conduct and document training with crews of the requirements to keep all water tight hatches closed.

Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks accessible to crew. Equivalent protection may include lifelines, wire rope, chains, and bulwarks that provide strength and support equivalent to fixed rails. Port quarter hand rail stanchion is too short to effectively act as a rail due to a damaged mounting. Repair mounting.

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. Starboard rudder broken. Repair to the satisfaction of the attending marine inspector.

Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on: (1) His or her duties in an emergency. The safety orientation provided to crewmembers who received a safety orientation on another vessel may be modified to cover only those areas unique to the other vessel on which service will occur. Crewmember orientation does not cover areas unique to the three vessels in company fleet. Update safety orientation to address each individual vessel.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that drills are conducted and instructions are given to ensure that all crewmembers 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. Crews are not conducting drills at frequencies required on each vessel. Crews are conducting drills on only one vessel per drill cycle. Conduct drills on each vessel as required. * Fire - Monthly (46 CFR 142.245) * All others - Annually (46 CFR 140.420(c))

The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel: (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with § 140.420; Drills are not being documented in the space provided for in the TVR. Conduct training with a vessel masters regarding record keeping per 46 CFR 140.915 and provide documentation of training to CG Marine Inspector.

The officer in charge of a navigational watch must keep the navigation assessment up-to-date to reflect changes in conditions and circumstances. Vessel experienced a reduction in steering but the navigation assessment was never updated to reflect this change. Conduct training with a vessel masters regarding record keeping per 46 CFR 140.635 and provide documentation of training to CG Marine Inspector.

Existing firefighting equipment and installations, of a type not required, or in excess of that required by this part, not meeting the applicable requirements of this part may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition and accepted by the local OCMI or TPO. Existing fixed CO2 system not in serviceable condition. Remove equipment from vessel.

Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery spaces and for closing, in case of fire, each doorway, ventilator, and annular space around funnels and other openings into such spaces. * There is no means of securing ventilation fans without entering the machinery space. Provide means to secure fans outside the engine room and train crews on it operation. * There is no way to close ventilation opening in overhead of engine room. Provide means to secure ventilation and train crews on procedures to secure ventilation.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an industrial type first aid cabinet or kit, appropriate to the size of the crew and operating conditions. Eyewash station water bottles empty but marked as inspected. Replace bottles with new and verify proper inspection procedures are followed.

All seals and gaskets must be properly maintained to prevent leaks of flammable or combustible liquid, as those terms are defined in 46 CFR subpart 30.10, into the machinery space. Fuel leak found coming from fittings at fuel tank centerline. Repair leaks.

The owner or managing operator must implement procedures to identify and mitigate health and safety hazards. Make the following repairs: * Crack in ladder handrail leading from forward main deck to pilot house * Crack in deck located at starboard side engine room vent on 02 Deck

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. Port generator experiencing short circuit alarms. Repair as required.

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. Port steering rudder sheered off at shaft. Repair/replace as required and conduct satisfactory operational test. Vessel authorized to be towed from current location at U.S. Steel Clairton to Ohio River Salvage MM 7.5 OHR.

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. Starboard propulsion engine overheating. Troubleshoot and repair as required. Schedule to conduct post-repair operational test in the presence of USCG marine inspectors.

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire haszards and ensure all bilges are kept free from acuumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable. Accumulation of oil was found in the bilge and excessive grease accumulation was found around the shafts. Clean bilges and excessive grease accumulation around shafts to the satisfaction of the Marine Inspector.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. Several of the required lifejackets were not ready for use and one was missing a clip. Stow lifejackets to be ready for use and replace clip.

Sufficient lighting suitable for the marine environment must be provided within crew working spaces. Light fixture in forward most compartment (line haul room) was found without cover. Replace missing light cover on light fixture.

Electrical equipment and electrical cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments. unsheathed wires entering aft deck junction box under decking. Repair as required.

The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must ensure all hatches and openings of the hull and deck are kept tightly closed. Aft deck void hatch not dogged. Correct as required.

Each watertight door and watertight hatch must be marked on both sides in clearly legible letters at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high: “WATERTIGHT DOOR—KEEP CLOSED” or “WATERTIGHT HATCH—KEEP CLOSED”. Multiple deck hatches not marked. Correct as required.

The owner or managing operator must implement procedures for reporting unsafe conditions and must have records of the activities conducted under this section. The owner or managing operator must maintain records of health and safety incidents that occur on board the vessel, including any medical records associated with the incidents.

A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised. Both shaft seals leaking excessively. Repair as required.

Pressure relief valves: Twice every 5 years, with no more than 3 years elapsing since last test. Relief valve test for air tank in engine room past due. Repair as required.

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. Electric cable coiled with end exposed outboard of port generator. Repair as required.

A 40-B portable fire extinguisher must be located near the storage room or cabinet. This is in addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by tables 142.230(a) and 142.230(b) of this part. No 40B extinguisher near flam locker. Correct as required.

Electrical equipment and electrical cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments. Generator starter wiring not marine rated. Repair as required.

The official number of the vessel, preceded by the abbreviation “NO.” must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals not less than three inches in height on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed to the vessel so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the official number is on a separate plate, the plate must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. Vessel official number improperly marked. Install official numbers as required.

Rails or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks accessible to crew. Equivalent protection may include lifelines, wire rope, chains, and bulwarks that provide strength and support equivalent to fixed rails. In areas where space limitations make deck rails impractical, such as at narrow catwalks in way of deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted. Bow and stern of vessels main deck are not equipped with rails. Install rails as required.

Stowage positions for lifejackets stowed in a berthing space or stateroom and all lifejacket containers must be marked in block capital letters and numbers with the minimum quantity, identity, and, if sizes other than adult or universal sizes are used on the vessel, the size of the lifejackets stowed inside the container. Lifejacket containers missing required labeling. Label as required.

Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 910 millimeters (3 feet) in length, but not more than 1,830 millimeters (6 feet), securing the water light around the body of the lifebuoy. Port water light lanyard wasted. Replace line with new.

Each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. The owner or managing operator must ensure the following: The system is installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's design manual. Fire detection system indicates an alarm in Engine Room. Alarm was silenced. Inspect and ensure fire detection system is operating IAW manufacturer’s instructions.

Electrical components that pose an electrical hazard must be in an enclosure. Electrical junction box in steering compartment found without cover. Install cover as required.

The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions. 160B extinguisher not stowed securely. Stow as required.

All seals and gaskets must be properly maintained to prevent leaks of flammable or combustible liquid, as those terms are defined in 46 CFR subpart 30.10, into the machinery space. Oil sorbents were placed in the engine room bilge to collect flammable and/or combustible liquids leaks. Remove sorbents.

A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, or required to have the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date. Vessel has been in dry dock since 28 Jun 21 and has exceeded the window for a required annual inspection. Vessel is prohibited from operating as a towing vessel until an inspection is completed. The vessel can transit from yard to home port on its own power.

Lifebuoys must have the following attachments and fittings: At least one lifebuoy must have a lifeline, secured around the body of the lifebuoy. If more than one lifebuoy is carried, at least one must not have a lifeline attached. Both serviceable life rings on board vessel were fitted with lifelines. Remove one life line as required.

damage to fuel tank leading to leak into frwd void. make repairs prior to operations.

During inspection of void fuel was discovered in void. Fuel tank has crack and leaking fuel into bow void. Make repairs to fuel tank prior to taking on fuel.

Vessel suffered a reduction in maneuverability, suspect a lost rudder. Vessel to be hauled at nearest haul-out for further evaluation.

Towing vessels must carry approved visual distress signals appropriate for route. Vessel had 4 road/railroad flares on board not CG approved.

Ringbuoy waterlight attachment lanyards must be properly secured the body of the ringbuoy. Lanyards were attached to the ringbuoy grablines.

Personnel working on the exterior of the vessel must wear a lifejackets that are properly approved under 46 CFR 160.340. Crewmembers were observed wearing unapproved type III lifejackets.

Towing vessels with installed flammable storage cabinets shall have an additional 40-B portable fire extinguisher properly mounted in the vicinity of the cabinet location. No portable fire extinguisher was observed in the vicinity of cabinet location or in the room cabinet was installed.

Vessels shall properly display the navigation lights and dayshapes when aground, restricted in ability to maneuver, or when not under command. Vessel unable to prove the ability to display the proper lights and dayshapes when aground, restricted in ability to maneuver, or when not under command.

Vessel is required to conduct and document EAP training for crew members and supervisory personnel. No record of training was presented.

Officer in charge of the navigational watch must conduct a navigational assessment prior to getting underway. OIC was unaware of requirement.

At least one lifebuoy must have a lifeline. Lines on both ring buoy's as well as the lifeline were deteriorated.

Two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26' must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110. Vessel had zero floating electric lights. Vessel to operate during daylight hours only