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Onboard Training Videos
As a continued process of onboard training, a set of six videos will be sent to each vessel for crew member viewing. Since there are five sets of videos, each vessel will have the videos for a limited time. On crew change day you will receive a plastic file box. Each file box will include:
- Basic First Aid for the Maritime Industries Video
- Maritime Security Awareness for the Inland and Coastal Towing Industries Video
- Safe Food Handling in the Galley Video
- H2S Safety for Inland Waterways and Maritime Personnel Video
- Marine Fire Prevention, Training and Response Video
- Drug and Alcohol Awareness for the Maritime Employee Video
- First Aid Essentials booklet
- Confirmation sheet
- Sign off sheet
When a complete set makes it to the vessel, the Captain is to sign the confirmation sheet and fax it to the office. The Captain is responsible for the videos while onboard the vessel. These videos are required. Each crew member is to watch all six videos. They are to initial and date as the videos are completed. When all videos are finished there is a place to sign off. Each vessel will have the videos through two crew changes (30, 28 or 20 days) to ensure that each crew member will be onboard. At the end of 30, 28 or 20 days the videos are to be placed back in the file box and sent back to the office with crew change. |
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Staphylococcus
From December through January, several of our crew required medical attention due to Staph infections. Most were able to quickly return to the boat, but one required 2 weeks of hospitalization. Diligence is required to prevent this type of infection, both at home and on the boat.
Most "Staph" infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic bacterium found on the skin of most healthy individuals.  Some common causes of staph infections are:
- Skin infections occur when the bacteria enter your body through a cut or break in the skin.
- Food poisoning comes from improperly handled, stored and prepared foods.
- Septic arthritis is usually a staph infection that is transferred to the joints from another part of your body.
There are some risk factors that make you more susceptible to staph infections. This includes:
- A current or recent hospitalization
- A weakened immune system
- Sharing towels or athletic equipment (towels, razors or uniforms)
- Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions
There are some precautions that you can take to reduce your risk. These are simple key items that should be used on a day to day basis.
Wash your hands- This should consists of a 15 to 30 second  scrub and drying your hands with a disposable towel. If a antibacterial soap and sink are not available use hand sanitizer with at least 62% alcohol.
Keep wounds covered with clean dry bandages.
If a food says "Keep refrigerated", keep it refrigerated. Staph grows best at room temperature.
Keep personal items personal. Do not share razors, towels, sheets and clothing.
Wash linens and clothing in hot water with detergent and bleach. Dry them in a hot dryer.
Clean after yourself. Use bleach and antibacterial soaps to clean up the kitchen, head and bunk room. |
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Online Training Questions
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NO. 1
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
This is the first of the Personal Protective Equipment  series. Many of the jobs we do each day require some sort of Personal Protective Equipment.
Question 1....Particulate Masks-Fiber particulate masks with an elastic head band are provided for use when working in a dusty atmosphere, such as when wire brushing a metal surface. This mask only offers the protection of preventing non-toxic emitting particulate materials from being inhaled. A particulate mask is never to be worn where there is a chance of harmful vapor also being present. A particulate mask can be worn ___________________.
Answer....during a shipyard or other repair periods when sandblasting or similar operations are being conducted
83% got this right
Question 2.....Full Face Cartridge Respirators-Prior to wearing a full face respirator, crewmembers must be fit tested at the Company medical facility. These respirators are limited by:
*...Not suitable for oxygen deficient atmospheres
*...Not suitable in atmospheres where the vapor concentration is greater than 5o ppm.
*...They are negative pressure devices, meaning if fitted improperly, vapor can enter the face mask.
*...Facial hair reduces the effectiveness of the seal
Why are Full Face Cartridge Respirators NOT USED in an oxygen deficient atmosphere?
Answer...The air breathed is filtered air from outside the mask.
90% got this question right.
Question 3.....Emergency Escape Air Packs (EEAPs)....EEAPs provide air for a short duration (5, 10 or 15 minutes) and are issued to crewmembers involved in H2S transfers or other operations involving potentially hazardous vapors. These devices permit the wearer, upon detecting a hazard, to don the device and immediately exit the area.
An EEAP would NOT BE USED for:
Answer.....entering a hot cargo tank for repair work by experienced repair crew.
87% got this question right.
Question 4.... Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs)-SCBAs are leased to tows that transport high H2S cargoes. They are for the emergency protection of the crew members in the even of a spill or other casualty.
SCBAs require special maintenance and training for proper use. An inspection by the wearer is required before and after each use. Any SCBA suspected of being defective is not to be worn. An SCBA that develops a problem during or after use is to be tagged for replacement and taken out of service.
SCBA's provide breathing air for 30 or 60 minutes depending on the size of the air cylinder.
An SCBA requires___________________________
Answer....all of the above
96% got this question right.
Question 5....Fresh Air Breathing Apparatus (FABAs).....FABAs are used during H2S transfers and other toxic cargo or oxygen deficient operations. It consists of a cascade (two or more pressure cylinders of fresh air), an airline kit, regulator, manifold, two full-face airline respirators, hoses and monitoring equipment.
An inspection of the equipment by the wearer is required before and after each use. Any equipment suspected of being defective is not to be worn and taken out of service.
FABAs require special training,________________.
.....maintenance and care 93% got this question right.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NO. 2
FOOT, HAND AND HEAD PROTECTION
Heads, hands and Feet are the subject of the next group of questions sent on Feb, 6, 2009. How did your crew do
Question 1....Workboot or shoes must have __________
Answer .....skid resistant and oil resistant soles
92% got this question right.
Question 2.....Synthetic rubber gloves are described as _______________
Answer....synthetic, impermeable gloves made of chemical resistant materials.
100% got this question right.
Question 3.... Leather gloves must be used when handling: * Wire rope * Ratchets * Slings * Winch Wheels * Needle Guns * Sledge Hammers * Toothpicks * Chains * Grating and Deck Plates * and
Answer...all other activities where common sense says "wear leather gloves"
95% on this question set.
Question 4....Company Policy and good common sense dictates that hard harts must be worn when on barges while loading hoses or arms are being positioned or hoisted....True/False
Answer....TRUE
100% on this question set.
Please review with your crew. These were primarily from the Personal Safety Manual with little interpretation needed.
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RULES of the Road
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A 20-meter vessel is  towing another vessel astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the tow is 75 meters. How many white towing masthead lights shall the towing vessel show at night?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, shall show __________.
a. an anchor light
b. sidelights and a stern light
c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
d. None of the above
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.
a. not under command
b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
c. engaged in fishing
d. All of the above
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.
a. fishing
b. in distress
c. at anchor
d. not under command |
Check Your Driver's License
With all the licensing that you have to keep up with don't forget about that simple little driver's license. According to company policy, it is required that you have a valid driver's license for use of company vehicles.
Renewing your license can be a very simple process and is not worth the consequences. If you are pulled over without a driver's license you will be fined, the vehicle may be impounded and you may be taken to jail.
Most states have a simple process you can do online to renew your license. Below are the websites for some states that offer online renewals.
Mississippi Driver License Renewal
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| Stern Shots
Seamen's Church February Simulator Class:
Front Row (from left)..Instructor Michael De Cesare, Steesman Calvin English, RC Rusty Hanson, Capt Jesse Harris.
Back Row..Capt Dave Box, Capt Lannie Scott, Capt Calvin Carlos, Capt Robert Nealy, Capt Steve Polk(SCI Director) |
Nautical Trivia
You have probably seen this certificate hanging in Gordie's office. This certificate indicates his completion of the line-crossing ceremony.
The line-crossing ceremony was an event that took place when a "Pollywog", an inexperienced sailor, crossed the Equator. The ceremony was to prove that the sailor was sea worthy to enter King Neptune's court as a Trusty Shellback. Before the 19th century this ceremony was a very harsh event that many sailors would not survive. There are reports of sailors being dragged in the ships prop wash. After World War II the ceremony was toned down. In a common shellback ceremony it is common for sailors to crawl through garbage, parade around deck dressed as women, eat many green foods (green eggs, green milk, etc) and drink coffee made with salt water. Many sailors proudly hang their certificates showing their completion of this fun tradition.
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Dates to Remember FEB/MAR 2009
SCI Simulator Class FEB 09 - FEB 11
SCI Simulator MAR 23 - MAR 25
Tankerman Class Two Rivers FEB 16 - FEB 21
Tankerman Class Two Rivers MAR 16 - MAR 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...B, D, D, C |
Below is the oath that each of us has taken before an Officer of the USCG when applying for an original license or MMD. The oath remains binding for each subsequent license or MMD unless specifically renounced in writing.
"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully and honestly, according to my best skill and judgment, and without concealment and reservation, perform all the duties required of me by the laws of the United States. I will faithfully and honestly carry out the lawful orders of my superior officers aboard a vessel."
How many of you remember the words of the oath you took? These words mirror how each of us should conduct ourselves every day when operating out on the water.
Sincerely, | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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