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Rent Car Procedure
What to accept/what not to accept 
When you are picking up a rental car to be used for a crew change - per page 6-36 of the Policy & Procedures Manual:
Higman Marine/Maryland Marine corporate insurance covers the driver of the rental car for the following options:
LDW - Loss Damage Waiver
LIS - Liability Insurance Supplement
PAI/PEC - Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects Coverage
AS A REMINDER: PLEASE DO NOT ADD THESE OPTIONS WHEN YOU ARE PICKING UP A RENTAL CAR.
However, please ACCEPT the following:
FPO - Fuel purchase option
It is far less expensive to purchase this option up front and there will be no additional charges for a partially empty gas tank.
If this continues to be a problem, we may start deducting any unauthorized charges from payroll.
Email Kelly if you have any questions before picking up your rental.
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Atlantic Hurricane Season Officially Started on June 1
Predictions this year once again call for an active season. Though predictions vary on the amount and severity of the storms, we need to carefully monitor activity and be prepared.
At the recent AccuWeather Hurricane Conference in Houston, Chief Long-Range and Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi said there is good probability of early storm development in the western or central Gulf area, from 90W longitude westward. This is based primarily on very warm water in the western and central Gulf, cool water in the western Caribbean, the expected June steering currents in the central Gulf and a drier than normal pattern in the northwest Caribbean lasting into July. A weakening of the La Niņa and the slow return of El Niņo conditions may be beneficial to us this season.
The primary period of hurricane threat will run from mid-August to mid-October and will encompass the entire Gulf and Atlantic areas.
Below are some guidelines that must be followed to prepare for a hurricane:
- Secure and clear all nonessential and loose gear.
- Remove all products from drip pans, etc, that can be exposed to weather.
- Mooring lines doubled up with due consideration given to the effects of predicted storm surge.
- Ensure that all personnel are prepared and equipped to safely maintain the vessel during severe weather.
- Wear work-vests when outside.
- Tend mooring lines and have spare lines readily available.
- Have fire fighting equipment ready for immediate use.
- Ensure that all side ports, hatches, portholes and other openings are closed and secured.
Maintain a continuous radio watch and monitor severe weather activity.
Prior to predicted landfall, plan with scheduling possible safe tie up locations.
Try to maintain contact with office personnel before, during and after the storm.
Top off with fuel and water. Get permission from scheduling before doing so.
After storm passes be vigilant for debris, missing aids, high water and stronger currents.
Monitor Coast Guard radio broadcasts.
At the boat's next scheduled safety meeting, discuss at great length the items listed above and other ways to prepare for the potential dangers of Hurricane Season.
Refer to Fleet Alert-08-2007 |
M/V Miss Cynthia
Uses "Lessons Learned" in discussing incident
 Capt Grayson Skaggs and Jay Frye took an opportunity to reinforce "Lessons Learned" with the crew after a recent incident. Relief Capt Mike Rogers, Tankerman Gary Sanders and Tankerman Martin Palacios joined in discussing the importance of teamwork and quick reactions after water in the fuel disabled both main engines.
The M/V MISS CYNTHIA was outbound on the Houston Ship Channel from the San Jacinto River when both engines shut down. RC Mike Rogers, at the sticks at the time, notified all traffic concerned and mobilized the crew to restart the engines. The M/V COMAL and M/V FILLY from the nearby Kirby fleet responded and helped return the Tow back to the fleet. The crew was able to drain water, replace fuel filters and get the engines restarted.
It was later determined that a leak in a fuel tank caused water to accumulate. The crew discussed the importance of water cutting fuel tanks and draining/thieving tanks where possible on a regular basis. A small leak may accumulate over time and may not be easily observable. |
Piracy Still Alive
Inland Spared
 PHILIPPINE pirates murdered four passengers being transported between an island in the Sulu region. Eight others were injured in an attack carried out on 6 May. The fishing boat was on passage from Solo to Laminusa Island carrying 20 passengers, when four speedboats and 20 pirates, all armed with automatic weapons, attacked. On May 13, in Nigerian waters, a supply vessel with a crew of 11 was boarded and hijacked while underway. The hijackers have demanded a ransom for the safe release of crew and vessel. No further details are available. Somali pirates are continuing their attacks following the weekend hijacking of VICTORIA, a Jordanian-flag general cargo ship 40 miles off Mogadishu. Other reports filtering in, say there was another attempted hijacking in the Gulf of Aden, as rocket propelled grenade launcher was used to intimidate a container ship underway in an attempt to get it to stop, but no shots were fired and the ship kept going. |
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 Rules of the Road
Test your knowledge!!.... email correct answer to Gordie...
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.
a. at all times
b. only if manned
c. only if towed astern
d. Need not be lighted
INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________. a. search and rescue
b. restricted in ability to maneuver
c. not under command
d. river bank protection
INLAND ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel forward of your beam more than 0.5 mile away, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?
a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
d. You need not sound any whistle signals.
INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.
a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
b. meeting within one mile of each other
c. meeting or crossing at any distance
d. crossing within one mile of each other
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Dates to Remember JUN/JUL 2008
Tankermen School- Two Rivers JUN 16 - JUN 21
Deckhand Orientation JUN 16 - JUN 19
Simulator Training JUL 7 -JUL 9
Candidates for Simulator training for JUL session, please call or email Diana. The last session for 2008 is scheduled for SEP 24, - SEP 26 |
During a day's work out on deck in the heat, a crewman may produce as much as 2 to 3 gallons of sweat. Because so many heat disorders involve excessive dehydration of the body, it is essential that water intake while working on deck or down in the engine room be about equal to the amount of sweat produced.
Exposed to hot conditions, you may drink less fluids than needed because of an insufficient thirst drive. Do not depend on thirst to signal when and how much to drink. Instead, drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish the necessary fluids in the body.
Every day seems to get hotter this time of the year, so let's watch out for each other when it comes dehydrating and over heating! DRINK YOUR WATER....make sure your crew mates are DRINKING THEIR WATER!
Sincerely, | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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