NED MERRICK

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for the safe operation of the towing vessel and safe operation of persons on board under normal and emergency conditions. The vessel's steering system sustained damage following running aground on the right descending bank of the Illinois River at MM231. Identify damage to the vessel's steering system and make repairs. Vessel is restricted from movement from current location in Ottawa fleet pending receipt of detailed damage description and submittal of a transit plan for towing of vessel to chosen site of repairs.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for the safe operation of the towing vessel and safe operation of persons on board under normal and emergency conditions. The vessel's starboard rudder sustained damage following running aground on the right descending bank of the Illinois River at MM231. Vessel is authorized transit, under tow, from MM 237.9 Illinois River to JMI Wickliffe, MM 951.2 Lower Mississsippi River. The transit plan submitted to MSU Chicago on August 6th shall be followed. Any changes to the plan shall be approved by the OCMI whose zone the vessel resides prior to continuing on the voyage. The Master of the vessel conducting the tow shall conduct a complete navigation assessment and keep it up-to-date as required by 46 CFR 140.635. The NED MERRICK must remain crewed in accordance with the manning on the Certificate of Inspection at all times.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessels and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Master noted loss of power from starboard generator. Prove proper operation prior to resuming service.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of towing vessel and safety of persons onoboard under normal and emergency situations.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed installed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency situations. The vessel's port MDE shaft had a significant, continuous leak. Provide TPO report of proper repairs, or provide documentation of rectified repairs to the satisfaction of the CG.

All machinery and equipment that is not in proper working order (including missing or malfunctioning guards or safety devices) must be removed; made safe through marking, taggine, or covering; or otherwise made unusable. Both of the vessel's MDEs did not have proper coverings safeguarding crew from rotating parts. Provide TPO report of proper repairs, or provide documentation of rectified repairs.

Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of perosns onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Both of the vessel's generator windings has excess build-up of dirt, oil, and dust. Provide TPO report of proper repairs or provide documentation of rectified repairs.

The master of each towing vessel must keep an accurate list of crew-members and their assigned positions and responsibilities aboard the vessel. The vessel was not able to provide a list of crew members with their assigned responsibilities and duties. Additionally, various company documentation was not available at time of inspection. Provide TPO report of proper compliance or provide documentation.

A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised. It was reported that the vessel allided with a general cargo barge while departing Cooper Belle Chasse and sustained damage to its port quarter. Provide documentation for the extent of damages and make necessairy structural repairs to the satisfaction of the vessel's TPO and CG, prior to movement.

Starboard outboard rudder quadrant was severed.

Vessel had outdated copies of the CG Light List onboard._x001C_ A 1992 & 1994 copy was onboard for the Mississippi river system. But had acorrent copy of the other Light Lists required for the Gulf of Mexico._x001C_ Captain stated that new edition would be put onboard asap.

[withheld — contains personal information; the deficiency system, dates, and resolution status are shown above]

NAVIGATIONAL RULES OF THE ROAD NOT ONBOARD.

NO GARBAGE PLACARD ON BOARD VESSEL.

LIFE SAVING RINGS HAD BEEN PAINTED COVERING UP ANY APPROVAL NUMBERS.

LIFE SAVING RINGS DID NOT HAVE RETROREFLECTIVE TAPE.

3 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE IN SERVICE BUT NOT IN A SERVICABLE CONDITION. 1 EXTINGUISHER HAD THE INSPECTION TAG REMOVED, 1 EXTINGUISHER'STAG SHOWED THE LAST INSPECTION OCCURRED IN 1990, 1 EXTINGUISHER APPEARED TOHAVE BEEN DISCHARGED.