PELHAM

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. Vessel missing smoke detectors in the galley and 01 berthing space. 46 CFR 143.330 (b)

Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must have the following: (a) At least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971; and (b) Two self-contained breathing apparatus of the pressure demand, open circuit type, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under 42 CFR part 84. The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece. Fire-fighting ensembles have not been serviced or inspected. The equipment listed above must be provided in a serviceable condition on the vessel prior to operating on a coastwise route. 46 CFR 142.226

The fire main must have a sufficient number of fire hydrants with attached hose to allow a stream of water to reach any part of the machinery space using a single length of fire hose. 01 fire hose has damaged threads, preventing a nozzle from being attached. 46 CFR 142.325 (c)

Carriage requirement. A towing vessel must carry a combination of day and night visual distress signals indicated in Table 141.370 for specified areas where the vessel operates. Vessel has insufficient number of flares (6 day and 6 night) as required for a Coastwise and Limited Coastwise route > 3 miles from shore. Vessel's route is restricted to Coastwise = 3 miles from shore until required amount of flares is provided. 46 CFR 141.375 (a)

Towing vessels more than 65 feet in length must use navigation lights that meet UL 1104. Vessel's STBD running navigation light is inoperable. 46 CFR 143.415 (a)

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. 02 Steering pumps in the E/R on the vessel's STBD side missing covers or guards around exposed rotating components. 46 CFR 144.820

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 is missing required Four Day shapes (3 balls, 1 diamond).

Each towing vessel operating on oceans, coastwise, or Great Lakes routes must have a means to take blood pressure readings, splint broken bones, and apply large bandages for serious wounds. Vessel is missing means to take blood pressure readings. Vessel is restricted to Limited Coastwise route until providing the required equipment. 46 CFR 140.425

Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040. Vessel has 1 line throwing appliance on board, but is missing a total of: 4 rocket projectiles, 4 primer-ejector cartridges, and 4 service lines in accordance with 46 CFR 160.040-4. Vessel is restricted to a limited coastwise route until providing required equipment listed above. 46 CFR 141.385 46 CFR 160.040

A vessel that is exposed to salt water more than 6 months in any 12-month period since the last examination or initial certification must undergo a dryock and internal structural examination at least twice every five years, with not more than 36 months between examinations. Vessel is overdue as of 01SEP2024 for a drydock and internal examination. Drydock and internal examination must be completed to the satisfaction of USCG prior to conducting operations.

"The owner or managing operator must implement procedures to identify and mitigate health and safety hazards, including but not limited to:(8) Noise;(14) Potable water supply." Health and Safety plan did not contain procedures to identify and mitigate hazards associated with noise and potable water.

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. The following alarms must be provided: (1) Main engine low lubricating oil pressure; (2) Main engine high cooling water temperature; (3) Auxiliary generator engine low lubricating oil pressure; (4) Auxiliary generator engine high cooling water temperature." No engines were able to alarm for high jacket water or low lube oil.

"Pressure vessels over 5 cubic feet in volume and over 15 pounds per square inch maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) must be equipped with an indicating pressure gauge (in a readily visible location) and withone or more spring-loaded relief valves. The total relieving capacity of such relief valves must prevent pressure from exceeding the MAWP, as established by the manufacturer, by more than 10 percent." Pressure relief valve on all air compressor tanks matched the tanks' MAWP of 150 PSI.

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”. No watertight doors on board were labeled accordingly.

(b) Each towing vessel must carry on board and maintain the following: (1) Charts or maps. Marine charts or maps of the areas to be transited, published by the National Ocean Service (NOS), the ACOE, or a river authority that satisfy the following requirements: (ii) The charts or maps must be either— (A) Current editions or currently corrected editions, if the vessel engages in towing exclusively on navigable waters of the U.S., including Western Rivers; Found backup charts and AIS without a valid log of current updates. Master was unfamiliar with process of updating charts.

(a) The safety of the towing vessel is the responsibility of the master and includes: (2) Compliance with the applicable provisions of this subchapter; The master could not provide means of verifying ship's length in AIS. Master lacked familiarty with vessel health and safety plan.

(a) 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. The 110V ground detection panel indicated ground. Flame shields were not installed on the stbd engine fuel filters. Air receivers were not labeled with MALP. 110V outlet in generator room had electrical extension cord ziptied to the receptacle. Vessel had unauthorized box fan installed above ship's range in the galley.

Emergency lighting must be provided for all internal crew working and living areas. Emergency lighting sources must provide for sufficient illumination under emergency conditions to facilitate egress from each space and must be either: (1) Automatic, battery-operated with a duration of no less than 2 hours; or (2) Non-electric, phosphorescent adhesive lighting strips that are installed along escape routes and sufficiently visible to enable egress with no power. Crew accomodations did not have emergency lighting or emergency phosphorescent adhesive lighting strips installed.

The fire main system must be charged, and sufficient pressure must be verified at the most remote and highest outlets. Fire main piping was found to be leaking when either fire pump was operational. provide repair plan and complete repair prior to movement of vessel.

Portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must be inspected. Annual inspection of fire extinguishers lapsed in July 2020.

Each EPIRB and each SART, other than an EPIRB or SART in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly. The EPIRB must be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator to determine that it is operative. Vessel currently does not have a maintenance system for EPIRB monthly checks. Develop plan to record monthly maintenance within 14 days to the satisfaction of CG Marine Inspector.

Towing vessels more than 65 feet in length must use navigation lights that meet UL 1104 (incorporated by reference, see §136.112 of this subchapter) or other standards accepted by the Coast Guard. Vessels aft amber towing lights did not meet UL 1104 requirement. Rectify deficiency within 30 days.

Each towing vessel equipped with rudder(s) must have a means to monitor and control the position of the rudder(s) at each operating station. Vessel rudder angle indicator on STBD side of console is not operating. Rectify deficiency within 30 days.

For towing vessels with berthing aboard, a sufficient number of additional lifejackets must be carried so that a lifejacket is immediately available for persons at each normally manned watch station. Vessel was missing extra lifejacket at pilot house.

Towing vessels must be equipped with the following equipment, as applicable to the area of operation:Illuminated magnetic compass. The compass must be readable from each operating station. Compass light is inoperable. Rectify deficiency within 30 days.

Repair or renew wasted knife edge (coaming) on aft peak hatch.

Replace PVC piping on keel coolers with schedule 80 steel piping, or equivalent.

Install flame screens on all sewage and oil tank vents.

Provide semi-portable or fixed carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system for engine room.