AFFIRMED

The system is arranged and installed so a fire in the engine room automatically sets off alarms on a fire detection control panel at the operating station. On vessels with more than one operating station, only one of them must be outfitted with a fire detection control panel. Any other operating station must be outfitted with either a fire detection control panel or a remote indicator panel; Vessel was unable to achieve an audible/visual alarm from port and starboard generator and starboard M/E heat detector.

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 center M/E RACOR fuel filters are missing metal protective covers for the lower glass bowl.

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 starboard M/E has an exhaust leak coming from the turbo outlet.

Piping and machinery components that exceed 220 °C (428 °F), including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers, must be insulated. Measures must be in place to prevent flammable or combustible liquid piping leaks from coming into contact with these components. Port, starboard and center M/E is missing exhaust lagging at the turbo outlet.

Machinery and electrical systems must be maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. Marine inspectors noted excessive water intrusion from all main engine shaft seals. Provide third party technician report attesting to the satisfactory repair of all main engine shaft seals and their operation under normal operating conditions to the satisfaction of Coast Guard marine inspectors. 46 CFR 143.205 (a)

The Vessel operator of each vessel required to have transfer procedures shall maintain them current and shall require vessel personnel to use the transfer procedures for each transfer operation. Vessel personnel were conducting a vessel to vessel transfer of fuel oil without referencing vessel transfer procedures resulting in a pollution event.

The transfer procedures required by 33 CFR 155.720 must be available for inspection by the COTP or OCMI whenever the vessel is in operation and permanently posted or available at a place where the procedures can be easily seen and used by members of the crew when engaged in transfer operations. When Marine Inspectors asked to see vessels Transfer Procedures, crew members were not immediately familiar with the location of the procedures.

Each operator or agent of a vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of fuel oil shall designate, either by name or by position in the crew, the person in charge (PIC) of each transfer to or from the vessel. No PIC was designated for vessel to vessel fuel transfers.

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. During initial COI inspection for this vessel, Marine Inspectors discovered objective evidence indicating that numerous serious substandard conditions were not being proactively managed by owner and operator. 46CFR140.205

The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions. Master and crew were unfamiliar with procedures for testing main propulsion system, bilge pump, bilge alarms and emergency fuel shutoff. Additionally, Master informed CG inspectors that they do not test bilge alarms. 46CFR143.205(b)

To stop the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the fuel line, 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 vessel’s crew did not know the location of the fuel shutoff valve(s), therefore could not provide proof it was operational. 46CFR143.260(b)

There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering. Master and crew were unfamiliar with how to operate the vessel’s bilge pump. 46CFR143.275

(a) Essential systems or equipment must be regularly tested and examined. Tests and examinations must verify that the system or equipment functions as designed. If a component is found unsatisfactory, it must be repaired or replaced. Test and examination procedures must be in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. (b) Each towing vessel must perform the applicable tests in Table 143.245(b) of this section. The tests required by this section must be recorded in accordance with part 140 of this subchapter. Crew was unfamiliar with the electronic tracking system "HELM" used to log routine maintenance, system and alarm testing, and Towing Vessel Record. Master required assistance from the TBS representative in order to log into the system. Master informed CG Inspectors that "HELM" was implemented a year ago and that he has yet to receive any training on how to use it. As delineated in the proceeding deficiencies, objective evidence attests to the crew failing to conduct routine maintenance and tests in order to verify proper operation of essential systems and equipment. 46CFR143.245(a)&(b)

Each towing vessel must carry the survival craft specified in Table 141.305 as appropriate for the towing vessel to accommodate the total number of individuals onboard. The vessel did not have applicable survival craft onboard. 46CFR141.305(d)

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards. The lagging on engine exhaust piping was oil soaked and wasted. 46CFR142.220

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 gage and with one 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. MAWP of port pressure vessel rated for 200 PSI - relief valve installed was set to relieve at 250 PSI. Starboard pressure vessel relief valve had no tag or stamp indicating set pressure. 46 CFR 143.300(a)

Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose through vibration or accidental contact. Port service generator power supply line winding enclosure wasted. Cut piece of hose was inserted into opening of coil enclosure around power supply line in place of proper fitting and cover itself was missing 4 of 6 bolts and secured with bungee cord. 46 CFR 143.400(e)

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Numerous wires throughout engine room found exposed, wasted, or not properly enclosed. 46 CFR 143.400(a)

Electrical equipment must be marked with its respective current and voltage ratings. Marine Inspectors discovered several fuse boxes and switch disconnects for electrical equipment weren’t properly label to advise personnel of respective voltage and current rating (i.e. air compressors). All electrical equipment shall be mark with appropriate labeling according to equipment’s current and voltage rating. 46 CFR 143.400 (c)

Electrical components that pose and electrical hazard must be in an enclosure. Marine Inspectors discovered the oil level alarm sensor wires were exposed due to a missing cover. Any missing covers for any junction boxes of electrical components that were originally designed or constructed with a cover shall be installed with such and with its appropriate hardware. 46 CFR 143.400 (c)

An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. The starboard main engine flywheel was missing a plate cover and/or sensor which consequently exposed rotating machinery to personnel and, thus, becoming an exposed hazard. The missing cover and/or sensor shall be installed as originally designed per the manufacturers’ instruction manual for the specific engine to prevent any potential hazards. 46 CFR 144.820

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. Starboard air compressor pressure gauge was wasted and inoperable and unable to properly display pressure. The air compressor pressure gauge shall be renewed and properly indicate the operating pressure of the system for the specific air compressor. 46 CFR 143.300 (a)

Essential systems or equipment must be regularly tested and examined. Test and examinations must verify that the system or equipment functions as designed. If a component is found unsatisfactory, it must be repaired or replaced. Tests and examination procedures must be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions or the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) applicable to the vessel, if the vessel has a TSMS. The port and center main engines fuel detection systems were found to be disconnected and no longer operable. The fuel detection system for both engines shall be repaired in accordance to engines’ manufacturer’s instructions and properly operate to annunciate all designated alarms. 46CFR143.245(a)

The marine employer must have a sufficient number of alcohol testing devices readily accessible on board the vessel to determine the presence of alcohol in the system of each individual who was directly involved in the SMI. Vessel representative presented expired alcohol testing strips when asked by the marine inspector. 46 CFR 4.06-15(a)

If more than one lifebuoy is carried, at least one must not have a lifeline attached. Both lifebuoys had lines attached on them when presented for inspection. This was corrected on the spot. 46 CFR 141.360(c)(1)

The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location: (3) Auxiliary generator engine RPM. Both auxilary generators did not have RPM gauges installed. 46 CFR 143.245(c)(3) 50c