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How to get an FCC license Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
There has been much confusion within the industry on what is required to operate the VHF radio on your boat. Here is the scoop on what the FCC and the USCG expect of Wheelmen  working on inland towboats.
USCG - The USCG regulates carriage of radios on most commercial vessels, foreign vessels in U.S. waters, survival craft, and vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act (towing vessels vessels over 26 ft) and operating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) area.
At least one person holding a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR) is required aboard stations in the maritime and aviation services when:
operating a vessel subject to the Bridge to Bridge Act (including domestic operation).....(that includes our vessels)
A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR) is issued by  the FCC, is good for life and requires no testing. The cost is $60.00. It can easily be applied for on line in about 10 minutes.
To get the Restricted Radiotelephone Operating Permit (RR):
Step 1....get an " FRN"...this is a 10 digit identification number that allows you to pay the FCC the fee($60.00) required for the license. The easiest way to do that is to go online at FCC - Universal Licensing System. Start with " NEW USERS". Push " Register".
- select...."Register and receive your FRN"
- follow instruction and add information where prompted.
- you will need an at least 7 letter/digit password to complete the form. At least 1 uppercase letter and 1 number needs to be in your pass word.
- print out your FRN registration form after completed. Do not lose the FRN number since you need it to get the license.
Step 2: go back to FCC Universal Licensing System. Go to Online Filing box and select "Log In".
- type in your new FRN number and password..push submit
- in the "My Licenses" section, select "apply for new license"
- in the select radio service drop down box, select "RR - Restricted Operator"
- next page select.."Regular" and "NO", "NO"
- next page select.."NO" (is your address outside the USA").
- next page add requested personal data.
- next page...eligible to work in US.
- summery page...if ok, push "Continue to Certify", check "certify all above statements are true"
- next page...fill in name and "submit application"
- next step will take you through the credit card payment process.
- Restricted Radiotelephone license will be sent to your home.
Higman will pay for this lifetime license for Wheelman. Please submit a copy of the Internet receipt to the CV office. We will set up an FCC Kiosk at the Wheelman's meeting for those who need help applying. |
Important Changes on Crew Change Vehicles
WaySmart tracking system installed in CV Crew Trucks
If you are crew changing from the Channelview office things are going to be a little different...
Due to the constant abuse and lack of incident reporting to the crew change trucks, tracking devices have been installed in the  CV crew trucks. This means each time you drive a crew change truck you will need to enter your employee ID number into the key pad located between the driver and passenger seats. While driving, the device will record and notify the office of:
- GPS location
- Any indication of an accident
- Idle times
- Safety concerns including:
- High speeds
- Hard turns
- Slamming on the breaks
- Not wearing our seat belts
There is a "panic" button located on the keypad. THIS IS TO BE USED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY! Our company will be contacted if activated indicating you have had an emergency, accident, etc. Remember you are logged into the system, if you tamper with the device, we know who did it. When you exit the vehicle you will need to log out. If idle more than a few minutes you may be required to log back in.
Directions for logging in and out are located on the dash of the truck. Should you forget your employee ID number please contact the office.
What all this means to you:
- If you are a safe driver, make a timely crew change, and report any problems with the truck, the only change you will see is having to log into the system
- If you are a reckless driver, we will know...
- If you are delaying crew change, we will know...
- If you have an incident, you better report it, because we will know...
- If you are in a serious accident, we can get help on the way
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Online Training Questions
CREW SAFETY QUESTIONS, NUMBER 6 Hazard Communication ,part 1
This was the first in a series of 2 on Hazard Communications. All crews should understand and be familiar with the  documentation and manuals that provide information on the products we work with every day. You have the right to know the potential dangers, safety requirements and proper emergency responses for the cargoes we carry. Did your crew get them all right?
Question 1.....Hazardous materials (chemical products) are everywhere. It has been estimated that over a half million chemical products are used by business and industry every year. Some of these chemical products pose little danger to you, while others are deadly.
Modern manufacturing would not be possible without chemicals. However, like machinery or electrical equipment, you must know how to use chemicals safely.
The first step in using chemicals safely is to recognize those materials that may be hazardous to your health or physical safety.
Your most immediate source for information can be found on labels attached to containers which hold various hazardous materials.
Your second source of information is _______________.
Answer.....Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).
100% got this right
Question 2.....The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires that ALL hazardous materials be labeled. Labels must appear either on the container itself, the batch ticket, placard, or the process sheets.
Hazardous chemicals in portable containers which are for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer is the exception to this rule.
OSHA requires that the following information be included on ALL labels:
1. The product name;
2. A warning statement, message or symbol; and
3. On commercial labels, manufacturers of hazardous materials must include their name and address. Many manufacturers also include a statement describing safe handling procedures.
While labels are an effective way to display information about hazardous materials, there will be times when you will want more information than can be included on a label.
You can find additional information about the hazardous materials you work with in what is called a Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS for short. You should take time to read and understand the MSDSs describing the hazardous materials present in your work area.
Information concerning the hazards of the cargoes you load can be found on the Material Safety Data Sheets...True/False
Answer... True
100% got this question right.
Question 3.....A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides detailed information about a specific hazardous material. An MSDS contains the following information:
Identity (name of substance)
Physical Hazards (target organ)
Health Hazards
Routes of Body Entry
Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)
Carcinogenic Factors (cancer causing)
Safe-Handling Procedures
Date of Sheet Preparation
Control Measures (personal protective equipment)
Emergency First Aid Procedures (emergency telephone number)
Contact Information (for the preparer of the sheet)
Special Instructions
Material Safety DataSheets (MSDSs) contain the following information:__________________
Answer ....Emergency First Aid Procedures/Carcinogenic Factors/Contact Information/..... All of the above (right answer)
97% got this question right.
Question 4.... Material Safety Data Sheets should always be available for hazardous materials that are handled or used. Ensure MSDS's are readily available for all cargoes. MSDS's are normally located ________________________ and accessible to all crew. Take time to read the MSDSs which describe the hazardous materials present. Remember, knowing where MSDSs are located and how to use them is your responsibility; it is part of your job.
Answer....onboard as part of the "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INFORMATION RIGHT TO KNOW" book
97% got this question right.
Question 5....Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) should be referred to whenever detailed information is needed on any cargo.....True/False
Answer .....TRUE
97% got this question right.
Question 6 ....Physical Hazards are one of two major classes of hazardous materials covered by the OSHA Communication Standard. The other major hazard class is Health Hazards. Physical hazards are those substances which threaten your physical safety. The most common types of physical hazards are: * Fire * Explosion * Chemical Reactivity
The most common types of physical hazards are fire, explosion, and chemical reactivity....TRUE/FALSE Answer .....TRUE 94% got this question right.Please review with your crew. All answers should have been 100% on this question set. Completion rates were down this week and I expect better completion rates for part 2 of Hazard Communication.
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RULES of the Road
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Two all-round red lights  displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.
a. being towed
b. pushing a barge ahead
c. at anchor
d. not under command
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists, you must __________.
a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
c. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
d. alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.
a. towing
b. engaged on pilotage duty
c. aground in a fairway
d. stopped and making no way through the water
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if __________.
a. she is showing sidelights
b. her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel
c. she is showing a stern light
d. her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast
Bonus Question....what lock is pictured above... email Gordie with answer. |
| Stern Shots
Capt Mike Taylor ready to go with the new M/V ERIK SALEN at Sea Trials.
Tankerman Travis Cheramie working on the the M/V DRUM POINT.
Pilot Carl Millet on deck of the the M/V DRUM POINT.
Capt Jesse Harris (right) and Raymond Butler of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association pose at the US Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, MS. Higman Wheelmen have been participating in Corps simulations throughout the year. |
TWIC DEADLINE APRIL 15, 2009
Time is getting short
Once again TWIC deadline is April 15, 2009. That is only 91 days left. After April 15, 2009 you will not be able to board a  vessel or enter a maritime facility without your TWIC. We are getting down to the line. If you have not enrolled, NOW is the time to do so. If you are having any type of problems obtaining your TWIC please contact the training department. Remember to stop by to give a copy to the office when you obtain your TWIC card.
REMEMBER the TWIC is your responsibility....we cannot get it for you. |
Nautical Trivia
Bouguer's Halo
Also known as Ulloa's Ring 
Bouguer's halo is an infrequently observed, faint, white circular arc or complete ring of light which has a radius of about 39 degrees, and is centered on the antisolar point (180 degrees from the sun). When observed, it usually is in the form of a separate outer ring around an anticorona (directly opposite from the sun) .
From: American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch, 2002.
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Dates to Remember JAN/FEB 2009
Deckhand Class JAN 19 - JAN 22
SCI Simulator Class FEB 09 - FEB 11
Tankerman Class Two Rivers FEB 16 - FEB 21
2009 Wheelman Meetings at Cypress Bend Resort
MAR 10 - MAR 11
MAR 26 - MAR 27
APR 07 - APR 08
answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...D, C, A, D |
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Time to settle into the new year. Have you made goals for yourself to work toward during 2009?
Now is a good time to look at your world and make a commitment to safety, team work, good health and operational excellence. Such commitments go a long way to making a successful year. Cheers | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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