J&S II

Except as provided in paragraph (a)(8) of this section, each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires. The owner or managing operator must ensure the following: 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. 46 CFR 142.330 Vessels fixed detection system was showing a fault in zone 4 rending it inoperable. A fire watch must be maintained during operations until the panel is properly repaired, tested and found satisfactory.

A towing vessel that is: Certificated for rivers, lakes, bays, and sounds, less than 3 nautical miles from shore on the Great Lakes; must be equipped with an approved 160–B semi-portable fire-extinguishing system to protect the engine room. The semi-portable fire extinguisher was not onboard at time of inspection. Install onboard. 46 CFR 142.315(a)(3)(i)

Each towing vessel must carry the survival craft specified in Table 141.305 of this section, as appropriate for the towing vessel. Table 141.305 requires a “rigid buoyant apparatus” for the J&S II's intended route and service. The vessel opted for a life float in lieu of a rigid buoyant apparatus. The life float onboard was found caked in dirt / debris covering the required vivid orange color and retro-reflective tape; additionally the life float was housed with a sheet of plywood installed directly on top of the life float impacting the life float’s float free capability. Clean life float and crop plywood sheet to allow the life float to float free. 46 CFR 141.305(d)(1)

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. Vessel's aft engine room emergency light fixture was not working during inspection. Replace bulb. 46 CFR 143.410(a)

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage. Vessel Master utilizes charts 11319, 11322 and 11311 for operating area. Charts inspected had a print date of 07 Oct 2022. Charts were not up to date. Complete necessary chart corrections. 46 CFR 140.705 (b)(1)

The owner or managing operator must provide satisfactory evidence of the required portable / semi portable fire extinguishing equipment annual servicing to the Marine Inspector or TPO, as applicable. Upon request, vessel Master was unable to provide servicing report for Marine Inspector review. Provide applicable October 2022 and May 2023 servicing reports to the attending Marine Inspector (MI). 46 CFR 142.240(a)(1)(iv)

A towing vessel must carry lifebuoys as follows: 26 ft, but less than 79 ft in length, must carry a minimum of two lifebuoys; where each lifebuoy must be approved under approval series 46 CFR 160.050 or 46 CFR 160.150. Vessel has 2 ring buoys with faded retro-reflective tape. Replace with new retro-reflective tape.

Decks and bulkheads designed to be watertight or weathertight must be maintained in that condition. During inspection, Marine Inspectors identified numerous holes in the vessel's superstructure and machinery space bulkheads compromising the vessel's weathertight envelope. Complete permanent repairs to restore weathertight integrity. 46 CFR 140.610(f)

The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel: (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with 46 CFR 140.420. This includes monthly fire-fighting drills. Vessel's drill log was last completed on 13 June 2022. Notice of Dry dock was received by this office on 21 October 2022 with splashing of vessel in early May 2023. Vessel did not have proof of drills completed between 13 June - 21 October 2022 or after completion of credit dry dock. Provide a copy of drill log to the satisfaction of a MI. 46 CFR 140.915(a)(3)

Each towing vessel must be equipped with an industrial type first aid cabinet or kit, appropriate to the size of the crew and operating conditions. Vessel did not have sufficient / valid first aid equipment. Replace with valid supplies. 46 CFR 140.435

Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(a). The portable fire extinguisher installed at the operating station was unable to be secured in the provided bracket. Replace with a properly fitting portable fire extinguisher bracket. 46 CFR 142.230(a)

A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date. Vessel's COI was issued 16 OCT 2019. No annual inspection was conducted on or before 16 JAN 2022. The vessel is restricted from conducting commercial operations until an inspection is conducted by a Coast Guard Marine Inspector.

46 CFR 143.400(a) Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. The circuit breaker panel on the port side of the engine room had 03 missing circuit breakers and/or blanking plates on the top portion of the panel presenting a shock and or fire hazard.

46 CFR 199.640(j)(3) Each buoyant apparatus of lifefloat must be marked plainly in capital block letters and numbers with the name of the vessel and the number of persons approved to use the device as shown on its nameplate. The buoyant apparatus is not marked with the vessel name or the number of persons it can accommodate in accordance with the nameplate.

46 CFR 141.360(c)(2) At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110. The port side lifebuoy floating water light is inoperable.

46 CFR 143.400(f) Electrical equipment and electrical cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments. The vessel had 03 deck lights that were exposed and did not have protective covers or light bulbs in them, exposing the electrical system to the environment and personnel. Crew installed protective covers prior to MI departure. Deficiency rectified.

46 CFR 140.420(g) Records of drills and instructions must be maintained in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. The vessel did not record any drills from June 2021 through September 2021. Vessel captured drills conducted from October to through the current month. Deficiency rectified.

A towing vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date charts, maps, and nautical publications for the intended voyage. Vessel did not have adequate up-to-date nautical charts. Publications were on an Ipad but not properly downloaded.

Towing vessels must be equipped with the following equipment. Illuminated magnetic compass or an illuminated swing-meter. The compass or swing-meter must be readable from each operating station. Vessels magnetic compass was not properly installed and not visible from the operating station. Vessel is to install the magnetic compass at the operating station and ensure it’s operational to the satisfaction of a USCG Marine Inspector.

Each towing vessel must carry at least one appropriately-sized life jacket for each person on board. (b) For towing vessels with berthing aboard, a sufficient number of additional lifejackets must be carried so that a lifejacket is immediately available for person at each normally manned watch station. Vessel did not have 12 lifejackets as stated on the COI. Only 10 were onboard. Vessel is only allowed 08 persons onboard until the remaining 02 lifejackets are provided.

Each towing vessel must be operated in compliance with the applicable sections of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Vessel had excess oil water in its nuisance water tray being pumped out by an automatic bilge system creating a pollution risk.

Each towing vessel must be provided with a fixed or portable pump and hoses in accordance with paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section. The muffler of the fire pump was ruptured allowing potential water ingress into the engine.

Electrical systems must minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Batteries were inside enclosures but not secured. Batteries should be chocked in place within the enclosures to prevent shifting and separating connections.

The master of a towing vessel must ensure that each crewmember participates in fire-fighting drills and receives instruction at least once a month. Vessel was not conducting drills at sufficient intervals.

A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date. Vessel's COI was issued 16 OCT 2019. No annual inspection was conducted on or before 16 JAN 2021. The vessel is restricted from conducting operations until an inspection is conducted by a Coast Guard Marine Inspector.

The owner or managing operator must implement procedures for reporting unsafe conditions and must maintain records of health and safety incidents that occur on board a vessel. Marine Inspectors found the vessel did not have procedures for reporting and recording unsafe conditions on board the vessel. Establish procedures for reporting and recording unsafe conditions to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector.

The owner or managing operator must implement procedures to identify and mitigate health and safety hazards as listed in 46 CFR 140.510(a). Marine Inspectors found the vessel did not have procedures implemented on board to identify and mitigate the health and safety hazards as required by CFR. Implement procedures for identifying and mitigating health and safety hazards listed in 46 CFR 140.510(a).

Crew members must be provided with health and safety information and training as stated in 46 CFR 140.515(a), and such training must be recorded in the owner or managing operator's records. Marine Inspectors were not provided with evidence that the required health and safety training has been provided to crew member and was documented as required. Prove to the satisfaction of the attending Marine Inspector the health and safety training required has been provided and properly documented.

The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to the mariner meeting the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners. Master of the vessel was unable to provide Marine Inspectors with a valid medical certificate. Provide the attending Marine Inspector with a valid medical Certificate to accompany the master's MMC.

Alarms must be visible and audible at each operating station. Marine Inspectors observed high bilge level alarm not audible and visible at the operating station.

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 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. Vessel has three total pressure vessels, Marine Inspectors observed two pressure vessels without required pressure gauge and relief valves, and one pressure vessel with a MAWP of 100 PSI with a relief valve having a relief capacity set at 175 PSI.

Survival craft must be stowed in accordance with the requirements of §199.130 of this chapter, as far as is practicable on existing towing vessels. 46 CFR 199.130(6) Survival craft must be stowed in a secure and sheltered position. MI's observed survival craft was stowed unsecure, directly on deck.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Marine Inspectors observed a breaker box with no blank installed.

Electrical components that pose an electrical hazard must be in an enclosure. Marine Inspectors observed wiring components not in an enclosure in the storage space.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with a means to detect smoke in the berthing spaces. Marine Inspectors observed berthing space without smoke detector.