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| Security in 2008
Terminal Security is serious business in age of the Marine Transportation Security Act(MTSA)
Under 33CFR Part 101.125, all towboats and barges are required to have an approved security plan known as the Alternate Security Plan( ASP). Each Vessel Security Officer  ( VSO), who is the Captain, or in his absence, the Relief Captain are responsible to implement the plan onboard.
Each marine facility is also required to have an approved Facility Security Plan(FSP), that designates perimeters, entrance points and procedures for controlling workers on and off the site.
How does a marine terminal's FSP effect my crew and operation?
Entrance to the facility:
- Entrance to all marine facilities is controlled. DO NOT BREACH SECURITY by going around fences, breaching gates or entering grounds by skiff unless instructed by facility security personnel. If in doubt, always contact the facility security.
- TWIC is coming on line for the following Captain of the Port(COTP) zones where our vessels transit. Non Mariner personnel will need a TWIC to enter marine facilities unescorted after these dates:
- Port Arthur, Corpus Christi.....NOVEMBER 28, 2008
- Lower Mississippi River, Mobile.....DECEMBER 30, 2008
- Morgan City, New Orleans, Upper Mississippi River......JANUARY 13, 2008
- Houston...not yet officially announced, but expected to be March or APRIL,2009
Mariners regardless of COPT zone, are not required to hold a TWIC to transit unescorted through a facility that is in compliance until APRIL 15, 2009......but to gain entrance:
- Mariners must use their valid Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner's document or license and a valid photo ID to be eligible for unescorted access in secure areas of any facility regulated under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 that has a TWIC compliance date earlier than April 15, 2009
After April 15, 2009 all mariners must have a TWIC to be onboard vessels. (except those covered under "New Hire" provisions)
Security is going to tighten each day as local marine facilities come in compliance with TWIC requirements. Make sure your crew is ready during this transition period especially to and from crew change and during times at the terminal dock.
- ID must be with crew during unescorted facility transit....valid MMD, License and a valid photo ID.
- Remind crew before crew change day of requirements.
- Terminals will be inconsistent during the next few months as full compliance goes into effect, so be prepared to show all required IDs.
If you have not enrolled for your TWIC, time is getting short. If you have not given a copy of your TWIC to Diana.....do it ASAP!
Now is a good time to review with your crew your vessel's ALTERNATE SECURITY PLAN and Sect 1, Part D "Company Security Policy" in the Policy and Procedure Manual. |
| Online Training Question Sets
Question Set #2 and #3....Tankerman Refresher
Set # 2 went out on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 and Set #3 went out Friday, Oct 17, 2008. All questions and  answers were directly from the CARGO TRANSFER PROCEDURES.
How did we do?.....
Set #2
Question 1...At no time will the Tankerman-PIC change any of the assigned cargo stowage or the amounts scheduled to be loaded without first checking with .....
Answer....the Company Dispatcher/Scheduler or Charterer representative....(page 1).
85% got this question right.
Question 2...What must be displayed during the transfer?
Answer....A red flag or red light on the barge in accordance with USCG/Port rules.....(page 2).
97% got this question right.
Question 3...Drip pans must be placed ................ and should be................
Answer....Drip pans must be placed under the cargo manifold and under any additional hose connections. They should be free of any residual cargo....(page 2)
95% got this question right.
Question 4....What document must be filled out prior to doing a transfer and what is the length of time it is to be kept on board? Answer....The DOI(Declaration of Inspection) to be retained on board for at least 30 days....(page 4).
98% got this question right.
Question 5....At what point should communications with the Terminal (or vessel) be established and how often should the communications be checked?
Answer 5...They should be established between the terminal(or vessel) and the barge before the transfer and checked once per hour?...(page 7).
97% got this question right.
Set #3
Question 1....How many bolts must be put in place for a hose connection or blank flange connection?
Answer...Each hole must contain a bolt....(page 8)
97% got this question right.
Question 2...When connecting a hose or blank flange a ______________ must be used every time.
Answer...new gasket....(page 8)
100% got this question right.
Question 3....How long is the test date on a cargo hose good for?
Answer....Test date is valid for one year from the date tested...(page 8).
98% got this question right.
Question 4....What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) on the Cargo Hose and the Vapor Hose?
Answer....Cargo Hose MAWP is 150 psi; Vapor Hose MAWP is 5 psi....(page 8)
95% got this question right.
If a transfer hose or flange develops a leak........
Answer....stop transfer operation immediately. Replace the faulty hose or stop the leak at the flange. A faulty hose must be taken out of service, properly marked and reported to Dispatch....(page 8)
100% got this question right.
Scores for sets 2 and 3 were much better than set 1! Keep up the good work!
Please be sure that you complete these question sets on-line to get training credit.
These questions are 2/3 in a series of 7. A set of questions will be published each Friday. Results will be given in the training newsletter. |
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RULES of the Road
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....According to the Navigation  Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.
a. no vessels are in sight visually
b. no vessels are visible on radar
c. you are in immediate danger
d. out of sight of land
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.
a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
c. tow is less than 200 meters
d. tow is greater than 200 meters
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....In narrow channels, vessels of less than what length shall not impede the safe passage of vessels which can navigate only inside that channel?
a. 20 meters
b. 50 meters
c. 65 meters
d. 100 meters
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?
a. 50 meters
b. 100 meters
c. 150 meters
d. 200 meters |
| Stern Shots
 The replacement office in Channelview comes together and is ready for business.
Diana sets up her new desk in the reception area.
Kayla and Kelly install window blinds in their new office.
Pilot Darrell Crain, II in the wheelhouse of the M/V GRETCHEN T at the Channelview dock is caught with a smile.
Tankerman James Day takes a break up forward on the M/V GRETCHEN T |
| Nautical Trivia
"Dutchman's Log".... A simple method of measuring speed in slow moving ships. An object which will float is throw  overboard and the time it takes to float to abreast a mark 47 feet 3 inches further aft is noted: 28 seconds for this distance equals one knot - 14 seconds equals 2 knots.
From the "International Marine Dictionary" by D. Van Nostrand...copyright 1948 |
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Dates to Remember OCT/NOV 2008
Pilot to Relief CAPT Prep OCT 29 - OCT 31
Last call to apply for Pilot to Relief CAPT Prep Class. Call or Email Diana for details
answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...c,d,a,a |
Before we all know it, TWIC will be a reality in our daily lives. The precious time we spent while pre-enrolling, then enrolling and then picking them up, will soon become time well spent. These cards are to become as important to each mariner as our licenses and our MMD's.
Without a TWIC, a mariner cannot work on his vessel...simple as that.
It is time to start thinking about how important this small piece of plastic will be to our careers and livelihoods. Let's make sure we are all ready for that day in the near future.
Sincerely, | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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