EL MORRO

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES IN NEW AND EXISTING PASSENGER SHIPS AND CARGO SHIPS SHALL BE KEPT IN GOOD ORDER AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE USE AT ALL TIMES DURING THE VOYAGE. PSCO OBSERVED A LEAK IN THE FIRE MAIN, LOCATED WITHIN THE ENGINE ROOM. SOLAS (60) CH. 2 // 66 17AC

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. VSL must undergo an Annual inspection before it can operate. 46CFR137.200

Electrical system and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. The starboard generator cable sheathing must go through connector.

All towing vessels must be operated in a manner that minimizes the risk of down-flooding and progressive flooding. In addition, the master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weathertight function properly. All four doors on the main deck, both port and starboard side, did not close or seal properly. When closed, daylight is seen throughout the door. The vessel shall conduct a hose test of at least 30 psi on door in the presence of a marine inspector. 46 CFR 140.610(a)&(b

A remote shut-off valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator so that it stops the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the line. Both shut-off valves on the vessel's fuel day tank that services both generators and main engines do not close completely. 46 CFR 143.260(b)

Machinery systems must be designed and maintained to provide for the safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons on board. The vessel's steering gear showed signs of significant lack of maintenance and wastage. Specifically, the system's rudder stock quadrant wire-rope cables (port and starboard) were severely wasted, had multiple fishhooks and broken strands. This condition compromises the steering gear and the vessel's ability to safely maneuver. 46 CFR 143.205(b)

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. (a) Individual circuit breakers on switchboards and distribution panels must be labeled with a description of the loads they serve. Labels required for power distribution system, switchboards and generators. (b) The port side generator connection box is unbolted and unsecured. (c) The starboard generator cable sheathing must go through connecter. Currently, three individual wires go through the connector. (d) A receptacle box was found broken and improperly installed below the bridge operating station on the port side. The electrical box was found without a cover, broken, and with a multi-plug with various equipment installed. This creates a fire hazard and risk of electrical shock for the crew. (e) A battery was found to be installed in-way-of the engine room workbench without a cover and was not secured. (f) Ground detector meter on switchboard is not working. (g) Multiple hot and neutral wires were found to be reversed on all receptacles. h) Port air compressor motor electrical connection box connector was loose and disconnected.

The hailing port of the vessel must be marked on some clearly visible exterior part of the stern of the vessel. Vessel must display the correct hailing port of San Juan, PR as per Certificate of Documentation.

The owner or managing operator must implement a health and safety plan that complies with this part and includes record keeping procedures. The owner, managing operator, or master must ensure that all persons on board a towing vessel comply with the health and safety plan. Current plan contents are copied directly from the CFR. Health and safety plan must be specific for the vessel and fleet.

A towing vessel must be equipped with an Automatic Identification System capable of providing the vessel information. Vessel current AIS is not displaying the current draft and correct length.

All towing vessels must meet the communications requirements of 33CFR part 26. Vessel's current FCC Vessel Bridge to Bridge Safety Radiotelephony Certificate must display the correct gross tonnage.

Each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. Fire detection system on vessel is not approved under 46 CFR Subchapter M. Owner must provide letter stating compliance with subchapter M from professional engineer.

Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with Chapters 7 and 8 of NFPA 10. The fire extinguisher in pilothouse is under charged.

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. Stbd main turbo charger lagging not installed.

The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location: auxiliary generator engine lubricating oil pressure, auxiliary generator engine RPM, and generator engine cooling water temperature. The vessel is missing the required gauges on its generators and switchboards.

The master must ensure that all lifesaving equipment is properly maintained and ready for use at all times. Stbd life raft painter was not connected correctly.

The owner and managing operator must ensure that the towing vessel is in compliance with this subchapter and other applicable laws and regulations at all times. The vessel EL MORRO is a non-TSMS towing vessel, therefore not required a Safety Management System (SMS) per regulation. Sector San Juan has found the below deficiencies to be objective evidence that serious substandard conditions have not been pro-actively managed by the vessel's owner/operator, leading to a lack of safety culture on board the vessel.

All towing vessels must be operated in a manner that minimizes the risk of down-flooding and progressive flooding. In addition, the master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weathertight function properly. All four doors on the main deck, both port and starboard side, did not close or seal properly. When closed, some dogs did not touch the strike plate, while others maintained a half inch gap from the strike plate. Daylight is seen from the door when closed, and the gasket does not create an adequate seal.

Each space where the crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape. The engine room emergency escape hatch was seized in the closed position and cannot be opened in case of emergency without a tool. This situation presents an unsafe condition to the crew. Furthermore, items in the galley space are blocking both exits, creating an unsafe egress hazard in an emergency situation.

The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weathertight function properly. All portholes showed signs of water intrusion. The starboard side door on the bridge showed severe wastage at the bottom of the door frame. The wastage appeared to be repaired with an unknown epoxy type product which was easily broken while tapping with an inspection hammer.

Repair/replace slow speed coupling for the #1 steam turbine generator.

Vessel lost steering while transiting the port of Aguirre, Puerto Rico