|
|
|
|
| Internal Audits
Inspections are a big part of a good operation.
We all have been exposed to audits...Internal and External. An audit is nothing more than a formal inspection that is guided by  a check list or work sheet. Audits cover all aspects of our business from vessel operations to shore side management. The audits we regularly engaged in as a vessel crews, are the Crew Quarterly Towboat Inspection and Crew Quarterly Barge Inspection. The goals of these audits completed by the crew are: Operational - the inspection should give an objective view of equipment and onboard manuals/files/documentation. Compliance - the inspection should ensure that we are in compliance with laws, regulations, and company policies. The Crew Quarterly Towboat Inspection is found in the "On Board Maintenance Manual" as Procedure No. 1.7. The Captain is responsible for completing the inspection checklist and transmitting to the office within 15 days of the end of the quarter (Jan - Mar, Apr - Jun, Jul - Sep and Oct - Dec). Items to be addressed by the crew should be marked with a "C" in the "OK" column and then completed prior to the next inspection. Discrepancies are reported on the Outstanding Maintenance Report which is transmitted to the office every Friday for follow-up. Company Policy requires 3 previous reports to be filed along with the current report....1 year of reports. The Crew Quarterly Barge Inspection is also found in the "On Board Maintenance Manual" as Procedure No. 2.1. In this case the Captain designates the Tankerman to conduct the barge inspections. The Captain will then report any discrepancies on the Outstanding Maintenance Report. It is critical for the Captain to review with the Tankerman the " Procedures" section of No. 2.1 to help him focus on what he is looking for while completing the inspection. Submitted reports can easily be viewed by going to the Skymira "VIEW FORMS" section and selecting the forms  needed from the " Form Type" drop down box. Then push the " Select" button to pull up your forms. This feature is extremely useful when Outside Auditors request copies of previous inspection reports. The forms you have submitted in the past are neatly organized and ready to view. This makes a great electronic filing cabinet! Your inspections are critical to the operation of your boat and barges and should be a key part of your planning. |
Things Learned from External Audits
External or Outside Audits help us improve our operation by showing us areas where we can make positive changes. Here are some  glaring examples of what was found by audits done by Chevron over the past few years: PPE -auditors found isolated examples where the PPE was improperly worn or not worn at all as required. PPE is a basic in our industry and should always be on the top of our list before starting any job. Doors and Hatches - an example was found where doors and hatches on the boat were not secured while the vessel was involved in a cargo operation. Cargo Transfer Procedures states "When a towboat is alongside a barge during cargo transfer operations, all doors and portholes on the towboat shall be closed" 8 Holes/8 Bolts - This goes without saying, but an audit found it. The Cargo Transfer Procedure requires a bolt in every hole on a hose/loading arm hook-up along with a new gasket each time. What am I loading? - An Auditor found an example where the Tankerman did not know the cargo he was loading. The Pre-Transfer Conference at a minimum, requires that the Cargo type be discussed along with a review of the MSDS. |
Procyon lotor
The Common Racoon
Raccoons can be a great nuisance to home owners and boat operators. In the last couple of months, there have been two instances of raccoons on our vessels.
The M/V CHESAPEAKE while tied up at the Shell moorings had a racoon come aboard the vessel. It was trying to get food from the trash that was on the second deck. When the crew found the trash torn up, they picked up the trash and moved it to the forward hold. The Raccoon, being clever animals, it found a way through the push knee into the forward hold. Using some bait left on the barge, the animal eventually came out of the forward hold on his own.
The M/V JOHN T McMAHAN recently had a racoon problem in the heater house of one of its barges.
Remember if you find a raccoon on the vessel, you should not  approach. Raccoons have been known to carry several diseases including rabies and distemper. One disease carried by these animals that is fatal to humans is ring worm or Baylisascari. According to the CDC, Baylisascari can be found in 70% of adult raccoons and 90% of Juvenile raccoons.
Another reason not to approach a raccoon is that raccoons can be very vicious animals if they feel threatened. If you have ever seen one get into it with a dog, you know what I mean.
The best way to get rid of raccoons is to prevent them from entering the vessel. They will go after any food item which is easy for them to obtain. Items like garbage or food left on deck will attract raccoons and other small mammals (rats, mice, opossums, etc). Prevent access on to the vessel and into the holds, keep hatches closed.
If you should get a raccoon on board, they can be encouraged to leave by placing a ammonia soaked rags and moth balls in to and near their hiding places. If this does not work to get rid of the raccoon, call your port captain for further assistance. |
|
RULES of the Road
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision? 
a. Risk of collision never exists if the compass bearing of the other vessel is changing.
b. Proper use shall be made of radar equipment to determine risk of collision.
c. Risk of collision must be determined before any action can be taken by a vessel.
d. Risk of collision exists if the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other.
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You are fishing at night, and you sight a vessel showing three lights in a vertical line. The upper and lower lights are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is TRUE?
a. You must keep out of the way of the other vessel.
b. The other vessel is responsible to keep out of your way.
c. The other vessel is at anchor.
d. The rule of special circumstances applies.
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?
a. A vessel not under command
b. A sailing vessel, underway
c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor
d. All of the above
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.
a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
b. are not the color of either sidelight
c. have a lesser range than the prescribed lights
d. All of the above
|
|
Online Training Questions
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NO. 3
HEARING and SKIN PROTECTION
This is the third of the Personal Protective Equipment  Series. Many of the jobs we do each day require some sort of Personal Protective Equipment. Hearing and Skin protection are obvious.
Question 1....Ear muffs and/or ear plugs should be worn
Answer....In the engine room while the main engine/ generators are running, Within 25 ft of an operating barge pump engine, When using a deck scaler, needle gun or portable grinder, Within 25 ft of an operating barge pump engine.......All of the above
100% got this right
Question 2....Flame resistant coveralls (FRC) are required....
Answer...A & B ....whenever the product vapors will flash back upon ignition AND when the dock requires them...AS PER COMPANY POLICY
69% got this question right. The answers to this question may have been too broad. The third anser said at all time. We do not require FRC's at all times.
Question 3....Chemicals that will flash back upon ignition are products with.
Answer.....high flammability ratings (3 or 4) or low flash points.
86% got this question right.
Question 4....Additional skin protection (i.e. slicker suits) may be necessary when removing blank hose flanges, making cargo hose connections, or cleaning out the drip pan..
Answer....TRUE
94% got this question right.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NO. 4
Protection fro Bloodborne Pathogens
There is a possibility of transmission of Bloodborne or body fluid borne pathogens from an infected person if exposed to  them. The purpose of this exercise was to remind all of the simple precautions needed and the specific use of PPE for protection from Bloodborne Pathogens.
Question 1....Hepatitis attacks the:
Answer....Liver
100% got this question right Question 2.....Standard precaution means approaching all human blood and other body fluids as if they do not contain Bloodborne Pathogens
Answer....false....treat all blood or body fluids as potentially a danger.
92% got this question right.
Question 3....Blood products may be disposed of in the regular trash.
Answer...False...any Blood product must be disposed of properly.
97% on this question set.
Question 4....Types of personal protective equipment that can be used as a control measure for Bloodborne Pathogens include:Apron, goggles, CPR MicroShield, Latex Gloves
Answer....All of the above
100% on this question set.
Question 5....Does your crew know where the First Aid Kit is located on the boat?
Answer...Yes...maybe an obvious question, but it is important to know that all crew are prepared.
100% got this question right
Please review with your crew. These were all from the Personal Safety Manual with little interpretation needed.
|
Company TWIC Requirements
Starting March 1, 2009, you will need to report to crew change with a TWIC card in hand. You will need to show your TWIC  card when boarding the vessel. If you do not have a TWIC card, you will need to show a receipt that you have enrolled at a TWIC center. There are only 49 days left until TWIC is fully implemented and we all want to be fully prepared for these new maritime security laws.
The USCG will be confirming TWIC cards with hand held readers as pictured. Enforcement is to start immediately on April 15, 2009. |
| Stern Shots
Snap shots from the Erik Salen Christening
Chistening of the M/V Erik Salen on Feb 11, 2009
Some of the Channelview office gather after the christening.
Captain Mike Taylor and his family gather before the boat. |
Nautical Trivia
What we know today as the Coast Guard......
In 1790 Congress called for the construction of 5 vessels to enforce laws and tariffs and to prevent smuggling along the east coast. This small fleet was known as the Revenue Cutter  Service.
The United States Coast Guard was officially given name in 1915 when congress ordered the Revenue Cutter Service to merge with the Life-Saving Service. The USCG started to maintain aid to navigation in 1939 under FDR. In 1946 the final components were given to the Coast Guard when congress transferred the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation. Since 1946 the US Coast Guard has been responsible for all marine licensing and vessel safety reviews. Since 1946 there have been many changes to the application of how the Coast Guard works but there functions have remained the same. The Coast Guard is designed to enforce and maintain all aspects of Maritime Law and Safety.
|
Dates to Remember FEB/MAR 2009
SCI Simulator MAR 23 - MAR 25
Tankerman Class Two Rivers MAR 16 - MAR 21
Tankerman Class Two Rivers APR 13 - APR 18
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, A, D, A |
Sire inspections, Bire inspections.....we are asked to have our boats and barges inspected on a regular basis by our customers as a condition of employment.
Vessel Security, Safety, Pollution....we are boarded on a regular basis by the USCG looking for regulation lapses.
But wait, it does not stop there. Management is routinely audited by various groups; AWO Responsible Carrier, Customer Management Reviews, IRS, just to name a few.
Though we may think of audits and inspections as a sidelight to our business, they are really an important part. What better way to help you improve than to have someone else place a critical eye on your operation. Things we may pass over on a regular basis, they will see in glaring light.
It can only help us do our jobs better.
Have a great and safe week.
Sincerely, | |
|
|
GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
|
|
