LA SALLE

The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weather-tight function properly. -Watertight door in engine room is not adjusted or sealing properly.

The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weather-tight function properly. -Emergency escape hatch from forward tank room does not seal properly.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. -Port aft void bilge pump junction box has exposed wires.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. -Bilge pumps in port aft void, starboard aft void, bow void, and steering void are obsolete and still connected to 24V panel.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. -Engine room lower starboard aft battery charger is not functioning properly.

All piping, controls, valves, and alarms must be inspected; and the operation of controls, alarms, ventilation shutdowns, and pressure-operated dampers for each fixed fire-extinguishing system and detecting system must be tested, to determine that the system is operating properly. Fixed fire extinguishing system activation stations on both port and starboard side are not labeled correctly.

Any towing vessel with alternating watches (shift work) or overnight accommodations must identify the duties and duty stations of each person onboard during an emergency, including: (1) Responding to fires and flooding; (2) Responding to emergencies that necessitate abandoning the vessel; (3) Launching survival craft; (4) Taking action during heavy weather; (5) Taking action in the event of a person overboard; (6) Taking action relative to the tow; (7) Taking action in the event of failure of propulsion, steering, or control system; (8) Managing individuals onboard who are not crewmembers; (9) Managing any other event or condition which poses a threat to life, property, or the environment; and (10) Responding to other special duties essential to addressing emergencies as determined by the TSMS applicable to the vessel, if a TSMS is used. Crew duty station document did not match manning on COI.

Each escape hatch and emergency exit used as means of escape must be marked on both sides in clearly legible letters at least 50 millimeters (2 inches) high: “EMERGENCY EXIT, KEEP CLEAR”. Emergency escape hatches were not marked.

A towing vessel that is: (1) Certificated for rivers, lakes, bays, and sounds, less than 3 nautical miles from shore on the Great Lakes; or (2) Certificated for limited coastwise, coastwise, oceans or waters beyond 3 nautical miles from shore on the Great Lakes, whose contract for construction was executed prior to August 27, 2003; or (3) Pushing a barge ahead or hauling a barge alongside, when the barge's coastwise, limited coastwise, or Great Lakes route is restricted, as indicated on its COI, so that the barge may operate “in fair weather only, within 12 miles of shore” or with words to that effect, must be equipped with either: (i) An approved 160–B semi-portable fire-extinguishing system to protect the engine room; or (ii) A fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room. Installed fixed firefighting system has not documentation to show it is a CG approved system and vessel did not have a 160-B semi-portable onboard.