What you need to know!
 
A new requirement from the Federal Government means additional inspections and daily log entries for our barges.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for normal discharges incidental to the operation of barges.  The regulation covers all commercial vessels over 79 feet.  In the Higman case, all our barges fall under this requirement.

• Barge Inspections  - At least once per week or once per voyage, whichever is more frequent, a visual walk around inspection must be made of the barges in your tow.   For vessels working cross channel routes, the inspection may be more than once a week depending on the frequency of trips made.   The inspection will include:
  • Checking that barge decks are clear of garbage, oil, paint chips and any visible pollutant that could be discharged into the water.
  • Pollution prevention mechanisms are in proper working order and available: spill rails, scupper plugs, drip pans, spill response kit.
  • The barge inspections must be documented.  An electronic form on the Higman Intranet will be available in the next two weeks that will need to be filled out each week or each voyage as follows:
    • The date and time of inspection.
    • Personnel conducting the inspection.
    •  Location of any visual sampling and observations.
    • Any potential problems and sources of contamination found.
    • The signature of the master or the person conducting the inspection.
• Visual Monitor
  • During each watch you must visually monitor the water around and behind the vessel for visible sheen, dust, chemicals, abnormal discoloration or foaming, and other indicators of pollutants originating from the vessel.
  • A new log entry to be made each watch change to fulfill this requirement.
• Deck Maintenance
  • There is a requirement to document routine deck maintenance that could result in an overboard discharge such as paint chips from deck preparation for painting. 
  • Maintenance documentation includes:
    • Dates, materials used, application process, etc. for any maintenance of the deck surface.

Additional information will be coming out in the next two weeks as the online forms are completed.  If you have any questions, please contact John Costello or your Port Captain.