• Daily Timesheets are to be completed daily.  To put an employee on the payroll click on "On/Off" at the top of the page.  Then swipe their Employee ID and their TWIC card.  Once they are in the system click on "Payroll".  From there you can select the watch, type of day (c/c or reg.), shift and add River pay, Steersman trainer pay, or a travel voucher by clicking the Employee's name.  Over time and Auxiliary Tankerman pay are to be added by clicking on "OT" or "AT".  When the employee departs the boat click "On/Off" and swipe the Employee ID.
• Ride Over Request/ Time Off Request need to filled out and must be approved by the Port Captain.
• Vessel/Barge Outstanding Maintenance and Shipyard list form should be completed for any outstanding maintenance or shipyard items.  Be sure to include details in the description.
• Critical Spares is to be completed once a month
• Boat Filter List/ Boat Supply Order/ First Aid Order / Paint Kit are to be used to order items for the vessel.  These items will be sent out with crew changes.
  

 Janis Anderson from the Channelview office checks on boat orders.

•  Grocery Order the delivery location, date, time, and vendor must be selected. The order can be saved and you can return to it at a later date to finish.  If you are getting groceries on crew change day contact Kayla or Samantha if you need help coordinating groceries with crew change.
• Ropes Request ordering of your ropes and wires should be done on the new Ropes Request form.
• Purchase Requisition is to be used for items not covered on other forms.  If the items have been discussed/approved with shore staff please include the name and date discussed on your requisition.
• Tankerman Requisition/Fuel Purchase Requisition must be filled out prior to ordering a shore tankerman or getting fuel.
• Dock Access Forms can be printed and used for crew/visitors to gain access to the vessel via a dock.  They are sorted alphabetically by dock name.
• Boarding Report are to be used anytime there is a USCG boarding.
• Diagrams provides diagrams of the vessel's bilge & ballast piping, Vents, Sounds & Fills, and fuel oil piping.
• Employee Counseling Report is a tool to use in the disciplining of crew members.  Vessel managers can use it to reinforce expectations set by the companies Policy and Procedures.  It should be reviewed with the crew member and will be submitted to the Personnel department.  If you need assistance in using this form please contact Cliff.

You will also find links to the Higman Computer Based Training, The Towline, and the Training Newsletter Archive where you can catch up on your training.   At the bottom of the page you will find updates and announcements concerning you fellow towboaters.

The loading of Fuel Oil or Lube Oil on your boat is one of the most critical operations we perform on a regular basis.  There is little room for error since fuel tanks are relatively small especially when compared to barge cargo tanks.  Any errors made can quickly turn into a spill.

A recent fuel tank overfill occurred due to a series of events on one of our vessels.  These events were all controllable and must be addressed fleet wide to prevent similar occurrences.

• That the Policy and Procedures Manual dealing with fuel transfer procedures (Section 1, page 16) be amended to require a pre-fueling discussion be held prior to taking on fuel/lubricants which should include a discussion of safety concerns, environmental issues, total gallons to be received (by tank), assignment of responsibilities, and communications between the tankerman, other crewmembers, and the PIC.           Safety Department
• That the daily log sheet is amended and specific direction be given to record the number of gallons (by tank) of fuel and lubricants aboard the vessel versus in inches.   Safety Department
• That requests for a PO for fuel and lubricants will be called into office personnel assigned to fuel purchasing with a specific total number of gallons requested versus "an estimate for topping off".  This policy will be included in the Policy and Procedures Manual.     Operations Department
• That all vessel fuel and lubricant tanks are not filled beyond 90% capacity commencing immediately.   Operations Department
• That each vessel will post prominently at the gauge point the (1) total capacity of that tank in gallons, (2) 90% capacity for that tank in gallons, and (3) the number of inches for both full and 90% capacity.  The Maintenance Department will determine if this should be a placard, bead welded, or painted on the vessel.     Maintenance Department
  

Until such time that we place the recommendations above into action, each Captain/Relief Captain will do the following:

• Review the Fuel Oil Transfer Procedure in the Higman Policy and Procedures Manual with each member of the crew.
• Prior to taking on lubricants or fuel, hold a pre-fueling discussion safety concerns, environmental issues, total gallons to be received (by tank), assignment of responsibilities, and communications between the tankerman, other crewmembers, and the PIC.
• Avoid fueling during a watch change.
• Ensure the wheelman on watch personally supervises the fueling operation.