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VOL 1, ISSUE 20
OCTOBER 08, 2008
Maryland Marine Training E Newsletter

DAYS LEFT TO TWIC IMPLEMENTATION                    189
In This Issue
Lockout-Tagout
Online Training Questions
USCG NVIC
TWIC UPDATE
Rules of the Road
Stern Shots!
Nautical Trivia
Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
Lockout-Tagout Procedure
 
Policy and Procedures Sec 1, Part F
 
Equipment wears out, machinery breaks down; this is part of any operation.  The Lockout-Tagout Procedure gives you a clear and controlled way to communicate to others that thisLockout-Tagout piece of equipment is not suitable for safe operation.   It give you a visual way to alert your crew that a part is worn/damaged/out of service/scheduled to be replaced and not suitable for use.  It is used to label a piece of equipment scheduled to be taken ashore for repair or disposal.
 
It is also used to warn others that maintenance is being conducted on equipment that requires an electrical source and that source must remain secured /off to keep maintenance personnel safe. 
  • Are all your vessel personnel aware of Lockout-Tagout procedures?
  • Are you requiring repair personnel to adhere to company Lockout-Tagout procedures?
  • Are contract repair personnel using the Lockout-Tagout procedure.

Lockout-Tagout procedures are universally used and should be familiar to all that come onboard - crew and shore based.

Check your stock of Lockout-Tagout tags and make sure they are being used to protect your crew and operation. 

Refer to Section 1, Part F of the Policy and Procedures Manual for full details and then review with your crew. 

Online Training Question Sets
 
Question Set #1....Tankerman Refresher
 
Starting Friday, Oct 3, 2008, the first set of Tankerman Refresher Questions went out by Email to all boats.  This exercise requires your Tankerman/Deckhands to use the Juan Rangel at Computer 2CARGO TRANSFER PROCEDURE MANUAL to answer series of questions on line.  Their answers are recorded and results tallied.  All questions are directly from the manual and answers will be word for word in the text.
 
So far with 45 Tankerman responding the results look like this:
 
Question 1...Who is required to attend the Pre-Transfer Conference?  
Answer....PICs of the Barge and Terminal (or other vessel) and the Cargo Inspector...(page 9).
97% got this question right.
 
Question 2...When is the Pre-Transfer Conference held?
Answer....Prior to commencement of cargo operations..(page 9).
83% got this question right.
 
Question 3...List the items that are required to be covered during a pre-transfer conference?
Answer....List of 10 items on page 9.
Many were right by coping directly from PAGE 9.
  
Question 4...Should the PIC ensure there is an MSDS available before transferring a cargo?
Answer....The Tankerman-PIC is to ensure that the Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDSs) are available for all products carried/transferred....(page 1) .
100% got this question right
 
Question 5...If unfamiliar with a product to be transferred, the PIC shall?
Answer 5...
advise the Wheelman on watch who shall notify the company dispatcher/scheduler immediately...(page 2).
67% got this question right
 
Question 6...Who is required to be on deck during connection and disconnection of the vapor and cargo hoses?
Answer ...Both Tankerman-PIC and Assistant Tankerman (or supervising Wheelman)...(page 5).
97% got this question right.
 
Use this training exercise to help your Deck crew understand and use our manuals on a regular basis.  These questions are the first in a series of 7.  A set of questions will be published each Friday.  Results will be given in the training newsletter.  
 
Final Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for License and MMD Published SEPT 15, 2008 
 
NVIC No. 04-08
 
The USCG has finally issued the Medical and Physical HomeportEvaluation Guidelines which will be the standards for issuance of all MMC's (Merchant Mariner Credentials).  These guidelines were published in draft form in September 2007.
 
The final version of the NVIC makes several changes that recognize the differences in working conditions on towing vessels and larger vessels. It substitutes the term "medical conditions subject to further review" for "potentially disqualifying conditions," and lists 201 conditions requiring the submittal of additional information to the Coast Guard. The NVIC also states the Coast Guard's intent to allow mariners to continue their careers in spite of not meeting the new standards, where this can be done safely. Options include waivers, limitations, or conditions on the license.
 
A copy of the new Medical NAVIC can be downloaded by clicking on Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines and should be reviewed before renewing your license if you have any questionable medical condition. 
TWIC UPDATE
 
Houston and Galveston Enrollment Centers Are Closed
 
 
The Houston and Galveston Enrollment Centers remain closed due to Hurricane IKE damage.TWIC card
   
Starting Tues 9/30/08, Houston #1 activations will be available at the Houston #2 center by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
 
The Houston #2 location is:
 
TWIC Enrollment Center
Gulf Gate (Chase Bank Building)
Suite 314
2900 Woodridge Drive
Houston, TX  77087

All new enrollments should be scheduled at the Houston #2 location until Houston #1 is back in operation.
 
Remember, it is taking 3 to 4 months at a minimum to get a TWIC from the date of enrollment to receiving the card.  DO NOT WAIT IF YOU HAVE NOT ENROLLED AT AN ENROLLMENT CENTER.
RULES of the Road
 
 
Test your knowledge.... email correct answer to Gordie
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND  -  According to the Rules, which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"? Barge Damage 3 By Ron Bagwell
a. A vessel servicing a navigation marker
b. A sailing vessel
c. A vessel mineclearing
d. A vessel dredging
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND  - A vessel underway and making way in fog shall sound every two minutes __________.
a. one prolonged blast
b. two prolonged blasts
c. one prolonged blast and three short blasts
d. three distinct blasts
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND  -  The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.
a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
c. temperature
d. aids to navigation that are available
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND  -  Which vessels shall turn off their sidelights?
a. All vessels that are not under command
b. All fishing vessels that are not making way
c. All sailing vessels which are becalmed
d. All vessels engaged in underwater operations
Stern Shots 
 
 
 Neches River Stanolin Anchorage 11 company boats 23barges. 4
 
Capt Mike Taylor of the M/V BALTIMORE captures the wind meter at 80 mph during hurricane IKE. 
 
 
 
 Neches River Stanolin Anchorage 11 company boats 23barges. 5
 
11 MMI boats and 23 barges stood by at Stanolin Anchorage, Port Neches during hurricane IKE
 
 
Nautical Trivia
 
"ARMING"....  Tallow or other substance such as bees wax sounding leadplaced in the cup shaped recess of a sounding lead before it is cast so that some sand or mud or whatever the sea-bottom is composed of adheres to the lead and thus is examined.  If the bottom is clean and rocky this fact may depression for arming sounding leadalso be detected by the effect on the arming or by indentation on the lead itself.  These would be bright if cut by a sharp rock.
 
 
 
From the "International Marine Dictionary" by D. Van Nostrand...copyright 1948

Dates to Remember                       OCT/NOV  2008

 
Tankerman School - Two Rivers    OCT 13 - OCT 18
(note: last Tankerman class for 2008)
Pilot to Relief CAPT Prep                 OCT 29 - OCT 31
 
Last call to apply for Pilot to Releif Capt Prep Class.  Call or Email Diana for details
 
answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...b,a,a,b
An emphasis on using company Documentation, the Policy and Procedure Manual, Personal Safety Manual, Oil Transfer Manual, etc will be the focus during the next few weeks. 
 
How many times has a wheelman said to the crew, "Let's check the P&P Manual to get the right procedure"?  Probably not many.
 
This is a good time to get our crews familiar with these manuals that document how we do our business. 
 
"Is everyone on the same page" is just not a idle saying, but a good question to ask the crew and to follow through with each day.
 
Sincerely,
GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.