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Voyage Planning
Weather forecast is an important component
With the start of winter fast approaching, a weather forecast becomes a valuable part of your Voyage Plan. As per Company Policy (sec 1-Vessel Operations), a Voyage Plan is required before getting underway on a new trip or voyage.  The Captain/Relief Captain shall:
- Be familiar with, and comply with all Higman operating policies and procedures.
- Complete a Pre-Voyage Check List for all barges in tow.
- Ensure that the Voyage Plan checklist is completed.
- Identify in the Voyage Plan:
- All Charts
- Boat and Barge drafts
- River stages along the way
- appropriate Notice to Mariners/other documents
- anticipated restrictions or hazards along route
- Bridges to be transited
- VTS's to be transited
- Expected weather along the route
- other specific instruction specific to voyage
Ensure vessel is properly equipped and ready to perform.
Ensure sufficient crew available to operate as per policy.
Review status of any ongoing repairs/scheduled maintenance.
Weather forecasting information can be gathered from many sources beyond NOAA weather radio broadcasts. Internet Links:
Obviously, weather forecasts change and weather planning needs to be updated on a regular basis. A Internet forecast can be printed out and attached to the Voyage Plan checklist for easy reference as the voyage progresses.
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Operation Big Tow
USCG checking licenses as tows transit VTS areas
Coast Guard units along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi River and Western Rivers system have begun operations to ensure towing vessels are properly manned and crews have proper licensing  as part of Operation Big Tow, which is taking place from November through January. The primary objective of Operation Big Tow is to ensure towing vessels are being operated by properly licensed individuals through boardings and examinations.
Copies of both wheelman's licenses need to be available in the pilot house. While transiting a VTS area, USCG may call your boat and request the name and license number of all Wheelman aboard. Having all licenses available in the pilothouse will quickly satisfy the USCG.
To minimize any impact to vessel movements, the Coast Guard will conduct boardings and examinations at locks and dams, while vessels are tied up pier side allowing examiners to check licenses and conduct safety checks.
"While the majority of the towing industry operates safely and complies fully with licensing requirements, this comprehensive operation will allow us to identify any companies that may have problems," said Capt. Verne B. Gifford, chief of prevention Eighth Coast Guard District.
Operation Big Tow comes in the wake of the worst oil spill ever on the lower Mississippi River. On July 23, 2008, the tanker Tintomara and a barge towed by the Mel Oliver collided. An estimated 280,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Mississippi.
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| Online Training Question Sets
Question Set #6 and #7....Tankerman Refresher
Set # 6 went out on Friday, NOV 7, 2008 and Set #7 went out Friday, NOV 14, 2008. Again, all questions and answers were directly from the CARGO TRANSFER PROCEDURES. 
Here are the answers. Did your crew get them all right?
Question 1....At what point of the transfer can the flow rate be increased?
Answer.....When there is no splashing and surface turbulence in the cargo tank(page 13)
98% got this right
Question 2...For ___________ after completion of loading, ullaging and sampling equipment must not be put into the tank.
Answer... 30 minutes (page 13)
88% got this question right.
Question 3...After the above time period rope or lines used to lower equipment into the cargo tank must be only______________.
Answer....natural fiber-cotton, sisal, hemp of flax(page 13)
84% got this question right.
Question 4 ....Operations preformed through _______________ are permissible during transfer unless prohibited by ____________________.
Answer....restricted gauging tubes.....vapor emission restrictions(page 13)
79% got this question right.
Question 5....If the cargo tanks atmosphere is inerted, anti-static precautions may be relaxed.
Answer 5.....TRUE( page 13)
77% got this question right.
Set #7
Question 1....Prior to starting cargo operations, PIC must ____________ cargo hose and manifold line up.
Answer...recheck(page 14)
100% got this question right.
Question 2....Prior to any cargo operations the PIC must familiarize himself with the__________________________ located in the barge mailbox.
Answer....general arrangement diagram(page 14)
97% got this question right.
Question 3....Prior to any cargo operations close all ___________________ and ________________.
Answer....Cargo manifold valves and cargo pipeline valves.(page 14)
79% got this question right.
Question 4....Open only those _____________on the______________ designated for loading.
Answer....cargo valves /cargo pipeline (page 14)
100% got this question right.
Question 5....Commence loading operations __________ to ensure all______________ are properly secured and _____________.
Answer....slowly / cargo fittings / not leaking BPH (page 13)
100% got this question right.
The answers to Set #7 were better than those of Set #6.  Please review Set #6 (especially questions 4 and 5) with your crew to make sure they know all the right answers! A new question set will start on NOV 21, 2008. These questions will be out of the Personal Safety Manual. |
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RULES of the Road
INLAND ONLY..... Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of a one short blast signal used when meeting  another vessel?
a. "I am turning to starboard."
b. "I am turning to port."
c. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side."
d. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
INLAND ONLY..... On the Western Rivers, a power-driven vessel crossing a river must __________.
a. maintain course and speed as you have the right of way over all vessels
b. keep out of the way of any vessel descending the river
c. keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river
d. None of the above
INLAND ONLY..... While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.
a. opening in a pipeline
b. vessel broken down
c. vessel pushing ahead
d. vessel fishing
INLAND ONLY..... When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a current, which vessel shall sound the first passing signal?
a. The vessel going upstream stemming the current
b. The vessel downbound with a following current
c. The vessel that is towing regardless of the current
d. Either vessel
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Payroll Notes
River Pay on Epayroll
River Pay is to be paid to Wheelhouse Personnel for navigating the river ways:
- North of Highway 190 bridge on Atchafalaya/Mississippi
- Ohio R and Tenn R,
- North of 14 mile RR Bridge on Mobile/TennTom
To enter River Pay on Epayroll: Enter the actual number of hours each pilot has been onboard for that day.
Example: If the Wheelman is onboard the whole day, enter 24 hours. If there was a crew change at 1400 hours, enter 14 hours for the Wheelman getting off and 10 hours for the Wheelman joining the vessel. |
| Stern Shots
The M/V SKIPJACK at the Channelview dock....looking good!
Capt Iry Duplantis pulls to the CV dock.
Pilot David Jones back onboard from Crew Change
Tankerman Gerald McCain up in the M/V SKIPJACK Wheelhouse.
Tankerman Tom Wills up on the Texas deck
Volunteers at the Houston Seamen's Church Institute fill Christmas boxes on Saturday, Nov 15, 2008 for distribution to Towboats as part of the Christmas at Sea project.
SCI Chaplain Pam Stephens (back, right) with volunteers rest up after filling more than 300 Christmas boxes for inland towboat crews.
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Nautical Trivia
Ratchet Windlass
A simple form of hand-worked windlass consisting of a  horizontal drum pierced with suitable apertures directed towards its center. Also called handspike windlass. Levers or handspikes are inserted in these to turn the windlass around when the anchor is weighted. It is provided with a ratchet wheel and pawls.
From the "International Maritime Dictionary", by D. Van Nostrand.....copyright 1948
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Dates to Remember NOV/DEC 2008
First Aid/CPR DEC 02
Tankerman Class Two Rivers DEC 08 - DEC 13
2009 Wheelman Meetings at Cypress Bend Resort
MAR 10 - MAR 11
MAR 26 - MAR 27
APR 07 - APR 08
Start making your plans......
answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...D, C, C, B |
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The wind blew 25 to 30 out of the North last weekend in Galveston Bay. Another front is approaching this area for the upcoming weekend.
We are now getting into our winter weather patterns so these fronts will be a regular occurrence. As noted at the beginning of the Newsletter, Voyage Planning with eye to the weather forecast is key to a successful and safe voyage.
It is a good time now to prepare your crew for the extra precautions needed during the winter months:
- All crew members need to bring the proper cold weather clothing to crew change.
- Extra emphasis on Man Overboard precautions need to be discussed each day with crews as water gets colder and surfaces slicker.
- Attend to vessel preparations with eye toward the conditions. Proper couplings always need to be made up with anticipation of wind load and high water.
- Skiff safety, skiff safety, skiff safety....can I emphasis more!
Knowledge is power....the more we discuss winter precautions as a crew, the more our operations will be safe and productive.
Sincerely, | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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