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VOL 1, ISSUE 15
JULY 30, 2008
Maryland Marine Training E Newsletter

DAYS LEFT TO TWIC IMPLEMENTATION                    259
In This Issue
MOB Function
Prescription Medication Notification
TWIC VISA Cards...
Rules of the Road
Stern Shots!
Nautical Trivia
Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Quick Links
 
MOB Function use during an Incident
 
The Man Overboard button located on your GPS and certain Radar models, is an important tool in responding to a vessel FURUNO GPS NAVIGATORincident.  
 
Most importantly and logically, it is used in a MAN OVERBOARD INCIDENT.
  • On FURUNO GPS units, press the "MARK/MOB" button located on the key pad
    • You can then press "ENT" which will save the location as a waypoint.
    • or you can press the right arrow key to get to "MOB?", then "ENT".  Press "ENT" again and the Plotter display will show the mob position.
  •  On FURUNO 1954/64 series radars...press and hold down the SAVE/MOB key for about three seconds when someone falls overboard or you need to mark a spot:
    • The display shows the waypoint number being saved (youngest empty waypoint number, 001-999) followed by the MOB confirmation window. Time remaining is counted down while pressing the SAVE/MOB key. MOB botton 2

The MOB Function can also be used in a collision or grounding type incident.  It is important to be able to pinpoint the exact location for all concerned if future litigation is possible.  Use the MOB button to mark an incident location.  The Port Staff can record that information from the waypoint record if needed.

If you have any questions on the operations of the electronics on your boat,  please contact your Port Captain.
Prescription Medication Notification
 
The use of Prescription and Non-Prescription medicines can cause drowsiness and should not be taken by persons operating vessels.  Consult with your Doctor before coming back to work if you have concerns on the medicines you are taking.
 
Company Policy Sec 6, Part E "Prescription Medication Notification Policy" discusses the responsibilities of crew members to report medicines they are taking.
 
Section 5:
Notify Personnel Administrator
 
Information concerning the properties and side effects of many commonly used prescription and non-prescription medications is available from the Higman Marine Services Personnel Administrator.  Vessel employees must notify the Personnel Administrator when they are taking prescription medication and to consult with the Personnel Administrator to determine whether and how a particular medication may affect their ability to safely perform their duties.
prescription drug bottles
 
 
 TWIC VISA CARDS 
 
 
Is your crew ready for TWIC compliance?
 
The last group of TWIC prepaid VISA cards will expire on AUGUST 8, 2008.  After midnight on the 8th, those cards have a value of $0.00.  TWIC VISA

Please remind your crew that if they have not enrolled at a TWIC center before that date, they are on there own in paying the TWIC fee.  Letters went out to all deck crew in FEBRUARY which gave them plenty of time to enroll.

The last day to work in our industry without a TWIC remains APRIL 14, 2009.   Right now we are seeing 3 to 4 month delays in getting the cards after enrollment, if there are no problems.  We have some employees that have been waiting 7 months for their cards.

Also remind those that have received cards to get copies to Channelview, Mobile or Orange offices.  We need those copies to know who can and cannot be aboard on APR 15, 2008.

As each day gets closer to implementation, the more important it becomes to have that card. 

 RULES of the Road
 
 
Test your knowledge.... email correct answer to Gordie
 
INLAND ONLY  - Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a sailing vessel 25 meters in length, anchored in a ANNAPOLIS on Drydock 2008"special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?
a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

INLAND ONLY  - Which light display marks the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?
a. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
b. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
c. Two yellow lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
d. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

 
INLAND ONLY  - What is true of a "special flashing light"?
a. It may show through an arc of 180°.
b. It flashes at the rate of 120 flashes per minute.
c. It is optional below the Baton Rouge Highway Bridge.
d. All of the above

 INLAND ONLY  - What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
a. A black cone, apex downward
b. An all-round white light at each end of the tow
c. A flare-up light
d. All of the above

b a a b
Stern Shots 
 
 M/V MARK E FLYNN blessing 12
 The new M/V MARK E FLYNN pulls up to Channelview on JULY 24, 2008 for the Blessing Ceremony. 
 
M/V MARK E FLYNN blessing 7
 
Mark Flynn gets a chance to survey the boat from the Pilot house on a very wet day!
 
  M/V MARK E FLYNN blessing 9
CAPT David Carriere takes his son, Jacob from David Devall, as Colt Clary  looks on.
  
 M/V MARK E FLYNN blessing 14
 Seamen's Church Chaplain Pam Stephens conducts the Vessel Blessing with the crew.
 
 M/V MARK E FLNN blessing 1
 
 Fajitas rounded out a great afternoon!
 
Nautical Trivia
 
Gridiron is a slang term we use today for the field on which  football is played.
1911 drydock Belfast, Ireland.....But did you know:
 
Gridiron is an open framework of parallel beams or girders for supporting a ship in a tidal drydock, which dries out at low water, permitting bottom examination and repairs to be carried out during a period which varies according to the range of tides.
....from the "International Marine Dictionary" by D. Van Nostrand...copyright 1948

Dates to Remember                       JUL/AUG 2008

 
Deckhand  Orientation                    Aug 11 - Aug 15
Tankerman School - Two Rivers    AUG 18 - AUG 21
Last Simulator Class for  08           SEP 24 - SEP 26
Pilot to Relief CAPT Prep                  OCT 29 - OCT 31
 
Candidates for Simulator training for SEP session, please call or email Diana.  This is the last session for 2008.
The new Pilot to Relief Captain Prep course, entitled "Management and Leadership for New Relief Captains", will have it's first run on OCT 29 - Oct 31 at the Seamen's Church Institute.  This course has been developed by Higman and SCI to help our upcoming Relief Captains prepare for the job.
 
The step from Pilot to Relief Captain is a big one and should not be taken lightly.  I hope this course will help the transition for our younger Pilots as they gain experience.   
 
 Sincerely,
GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.