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USCG Merchant
Mariner Credential Announcement
USCG REC office License/MMD Appointment
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| Safety Stand Down
A time to renew your Safety Commitment
On Thursday, March 5, 2009 a Safety Stand Down was announced for all Higman controlled vessels. On Friday and  Saturday of that week, all vessels were instructed to take a mandatory Safety Stand Down.
As a response to several allisions and a collision during the previous few weeks, it was decided that we needed to take time and review our operations. All boats took the time to stop and conduct the Stand Down.
Now almost 3 weeks later, did the message stick? How is your crew responding now to the message? Are all crews committed to the message that all operations must be conducted with safety as the first consideration?
Let's slow down and think before tackling a task.
Let's stop and realize that nothing we do is that important if it cannot be done safely. Make your team the best our there with a daily commitment to doing the job safely.
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USCG Announces the New Merchant Mariner Credential
The new MMC starts APRIL 15, 2009.
Next month, the USCG will begin issuing the new Merchant Mariner Credential or MMC instead of the well  known MMD (tankerman ticket) and paper license. The MMC will consolidate your MMD and your License into a single credential similar in size and look of a passport.
The new regulation also streamlines the application process for the MMC by removing the requirement that all mariners appear at one of 17 Regional Exam Centers, so long as they have already enrolled for a TWIC at one of 149 TWIC Enrollment Centers. This will mean no more trips to the local REC for fingerprinting and identification verification.
The MMC will work with your TWIC thus eliminated separate background checks. The Coast Guard will use TWIC data received directly from TSA to determine the status of your TWIC. No mariner credentials will be issued without confirmation from TSA that an applicant has been approved to hold a TWIC. |
Computer Based Training in Testing Phase
Training anywhere a computer is online!
For the last two months, we have been testing a new way to present required training topics to the Higman fleet through a method called Computer Based Training or CBT. This method uses the Internet to present topics interactively through a computer anywhere access is available.
Three boats, the PIMLICO, ABERDEEN and BETHESDA presently have training computers located in the galley that are wirelessly connected to an Internet modem located underneath  the wheelhouse. They have been testing the system by taking courses offered by the system. First Quarter 2009 courses include: Back Safety, Benzene Awareness, Blood Borne Pathogens, Slips Trips and Falls and Personal Hygiene.
All Higman crewmembers are now invited to try out the system while we are still in the test phase. You can access the system through any computer that has Internet access.
Enter a user name which is your company ID number.
Enter a password which is also your company ID number.
Follow the simple instructions on the screen to start any of the training courses. Most courses will take about 20 minutes. You need to complete the pre-test, course material and post test in that order. Once a course is completed, a certificate will be issued to you and results uploaded into your personnel file for credit. The certificate can be printed, but not necessary since the system retains your results
Try it out. Let the training dept. know what you think! |
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New Cab Service
We are welcoming Lone Star Marine Co. to the Higman Marine family of vendors. Their number is 281-324-9060. They will be
our new cab and preferred service company for the Houston  area! One of the great services that they provide is that someone is on call 24 hours a day. So no matter what time your flight or bus arrives you will have a reliable contact.
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RULES of the Road
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A fishing vessel is approaching a vessel not under command. Which statement is  TRUE?
a. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.
b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
c. They must exchange whistle signals.
d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.
a. at as small an angle as possible
b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
c. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
d. never
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A vessel using a traffic separation scheme is forbidden to __________.
a. proceed through an inappropriate traffic lane
b. engaged in fishing in the separation zone
c. cross a traffic lane
d. enter the separation zone, even in a emergency
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.
a. is between the scheme and the nearest land
b. contains all the traffic moving in one direction
c. is designated as an anchorage area
d. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
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Online Training Questions
POLICY AND PROCEDURE NO. 2
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
This is the second in the series on the Policy and Procedure  Manual and defines our policy on tank or void entry. The most dangerous place on any vessel is a tank or void where oxygen may be deficient and dangerous/flammable gases may be present.
Question 1....On Boats, prior to entering tanks, voids rudder compartments or other closed or confined space, tanks must be opened and tested by a designated.........
On Tank Barges,prior to entering the wing tanks and bow and stern void spaces on tank barges, tanks must be opened and tested by a designated.........
Answer....Competent Person
98% got this right
Question 2....Oxygen content of a tank must be _________.
Answer...20.8% plus or minus 2% by volume
90% got this question right.
Question 3....Flammable gas content of the tank must be _____________.
Answer....0% LEL
94% got this question right.
Question 4....Stand-by personnel must be present during tank entry...TRUE/FALSE?
Answer....TRUE
94% got this question right. Question 5....A plan for Emergency Rescue must be in place during tank entry. Emergency rescue equipment may include:
Answer....All of the above
96% got this question right.
Question 6...The _________and_________ must be logged by the designated Competent Person prior to entering any void.
Answer....oxygen and LEL meter readings...
96% got this question right
Question 7....Hot Work such as burning and welding may not be performed aboard vessels unless authorized by a ____________________.
Answer....Marine Chemist. 94% got this question right
Policy and Procedure No. 3
Lockout - Tag out Procedure
When working with any equipment, energy sources or remotely  operated machinery, lockout- tagout is an important tool in keeping all crew members and repair personnel safe.
Question 1.... When boat gear or shop equipment becomes worn or damaged and is no longer safe or suitable for its intended use, it must be tagged "_______________________".
Answer.... "Out of Service"
87% got this question right.
Question 2....The vessel Captain or Wheelhouse Person on Watch must require that marine gear, tools and safety equipment be tagged and when possible, ______________________ so it cannot be mistakenly used.
Answer...."physically removed to an out of service location"
97% got this question right.
Question 3....The following information must be noted on the tag:
Answer...."All of the above"
100% got this question right.
Question 4....When vessel maintenance is being conducted, energy sources that present a hazard to the maintenance personnel must be disconnected, de-energized, depleted or eliminated and locked/tagged. This includes:
Securing electrical power and bleeding off air from compressor tanks before working on engines or starters.
Turning off electrical breakers to the steering motors, winches, spotlights, etc before working on unit,
Securing the source of propulsion and steering when a diver is under a boat for maintenance and inspection,
Turning off electrical circuit breaker to radar before working on the top of the wheelhouse.
Lockout - Tagout would be used in all the above conditions....TRUE/FALSE?
Answer....TRUE
87% got this question right.
Question 5....In the event a repair cannot be made immediately, the vessel Captain or Wheelhouse Person on Watch must ensure that the energy sources are tagged "Do Not Operate" and physically locked with"
Answer....Any of the above including methods and materials that cannot be removed except by forcefully cutting or destroying of the above
96% got this question right.
Question 6....After a unit is restored to service, the energy source may be unlocked and ___________________ by the vessel Captain or Wheelhouse Person on watch and the individual completing the maintenance or repair to the unit.
Answer....the tag removed jointly
90% got this question right.
Question 7....The Captain or Wheelhouse person on Watch is responsible for ensuring that equipment deemed as not fit for service is _______________________.
Answer....Locked out- Tagged out
93% got this question right.
Please review with your crew. Most got it all right, but a few need some work!
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| Stern Shots
March 2009 SCI Simulator Class from the right:
SCI Director Steve Polk, Instructor Mike De Cesare, Steersman Albert Shelton, Capt Grayson Skaggs, Steersman Thomason Johns, RC JJ Conner,Steersman Gary Sanders, RC Arnold Argullin, Steersman Robert Cervantes.
One of our most photogenic Captains from his 1980 Z card. Can you guess who? Let me know!! |
Nautical Trivia
Packet Boats in 1877..... A 150 ton boat operating in the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Rivers  normally had a Captain, a Mate, two Pilots, an Engineer and his assistant and twelve deckhands. Packets also had a cook and one or more stewards. Mississippi River Pilots earned $200 a month, but Yazoo River Pilots earned only $150 per month. It cost $3.00 to send a bale of cotton from Greenwood, MS to New Orleans. Whisky shipped from Vicksburg to Yazoo for $1.00 per barrel
From....Steamboats and the Cotton Economy by Harry P Owens, c 1990 |
Dates to Remember MAR/MAY 2009
SCI Simulator MAR 23 - MAR 25
SCI Simulator APR 27 - APR 29
SCI Simulator MAY 18 - MAY 20
Tankerman Class Two Rivers APR 13 - APR 18
2009 Wheelman Meetings at Cypress Bend Resort
MAR 26 - MAR 27 APR 07 - APR 08
answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...a, a, a, d |
It has been a busy month with the Wheelman's meetings going on and me on vacation in the middle of it all.
Let's keep good things happening.
Have a great and safe week.
Sincerely, | |
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GORDIE KEENAN
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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