higman
 VOL 3, ISSUE 3
FEBRUARY 10, 2010 
 
Higman Barge Lines Training E Newsletter

 
In This Issue
Under Pressure....Keep it that Way
Is Your Crew Current on CPR/First Aid?...
Searching the Newsletter Archive
Rules of the Road
Online Training Questions
Stern Shots!
Nautical Trivia
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
Under Pressure....Keep it that Way
 
A loss of air pressure can happen. 
 
While making rounds of the engine room, you reach down to bleed  accumulated water in the air compressor receiverAir Compressor by opening the drain valve.  Seconds later, the valve has broken from the piping and now is resting in your hand.  Air is blowing furiously from the opening in the bottom of the tank.
 
Far fetched; couldn't happen?  Well it did to one of our Tankerman.  
 
What is the first thing you would do in this case?  Would it be...
  1. Take the valve and piping up to the wheelman on watch to notify him of the problem?
  2. Isolate the leaking receiver so the system remains pressurized from the other compressor?
  3. Sound the general alarm?
The obvious right answer is # 2; quickly shut the air compressor outlet valve to isolate the tank from the system.  The stand-by compressor should then take over the load and continue to supply the system.  Of course then you would notify the wheelman on watch.
 
What critical functions are lost with the depletion of air pressure?
  1. Throttle control is lost.
  2. Main engines will eventually become disengaged from the gear box with loss of clutch air pressure when maneuvering. 
  3. The vessel will loose the ship's horn.
 Here are some other questions that the crew should answer.
  1. Are all crew members familiar with the deck air isolation valve in the engine room.   If the air valve on deck was ever damaged, could the crew isolate the system?
  2. How is the piping from compressor one and compressor two configured.   
  3. Damage Control....Do all crew members know how to isolate a damaged system.
  4. What other critical functions are on your boat that are dependent on air pressure?
A few minutes of discussion with the crew including a tour of the engine room to trace out the piping will keep all ready if action is ever needed.  
Is Your Crew Current on CPR/First Aid?
  
  
There are a few courses that are required of your crew that can not be completed on the Computer Based Training (CBT).  These courses require practical demonstration by the participants.  CPRFirst Aid/CPR, Supplied Air/Bottle Watch Certification, and Hazwoper are some examples.  Make sure to pull out your certificates or cards and check the dates.

First Aid/CPR is valid for one or two years depending on who administered it.  Supplied Air/Bottle Watch and Hazwoper are only valid for one year.
 
Don't worry about losing precious off time; this training can be completed while on the boat.  If your vessel is in the Houston/Bolivar/Beaumont area with some stand by time, please contact Kelly or Gordie to set up a time for training.
Searching the Newsletter Archive
  
  
After two plus years of publication, the Higman Marine Training Newsletter Archive has grown quite large.  If you are looking for an article, it may be hard to find by just scrolling through.  However there is a simple way to search for articles.
 
 
  1. Click on "Edit" at the top of your browser.
  2. Select "Find on this page"
  3. This will open a small navigation box.
  4. Type in the word or words that you wish to search.
 
 
 
The search engine will then scroll to where the word is located.  If it is the topic you are looking for, simply click on that Newsletter Issue.  The issue of the newsletter containing your topic will open in a new window.  If it is not the topic you are looking for, click "Next" to continue the search.
RULES of the ROAD
  
Test your knowledge.... email correct answer to Gordie 
 
Inland
RULE 24- Lights and Shapes Inland
  
 
Vessels being pushed ahead or towed alongside.
 
A vessel being pushed ahead, not part of a composite unit shall exhibit:
  • Side lights
  • Special Flashing light
 
 
  
A  vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit:
  • A stern light
  • Side lights
  • Special flashing lights
 
 
Vessels being towed alongside on both sides of the towing vessels shall exhibit:
  • A stern light on the outboard vessel on each side of the towing vessel
  • A single set of side lights as far forward and outboard as practicable. 
  • a single special flashing light as far forward as practicable. 
 
 
The questions below are related RULE 24 - Lights and Shapes 
 
INLAND ONLY....Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?
a. Sidelights and a stern light
b. Sidelights, a special flashing light, and a stern light
c. Sidelights and a special flashing light
d. Sidelights, a towing light, and a stern light
 
INLAND ONLY....Which is CORRECT regarding a "special flashing light"? a. It must be yellow in color.
b. It must be placed as far forward as possible.
c. It must not show through an arc of more than 225°.
d. All of the above
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those in international waters for __________.
a. barges being pushed ahead
b. vessels being towed alongside
c. vessels pushing ahead
d. All of the above
 
INLAND ONLY....Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light(s) on the tug & barge will you see, if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )
a. a special flashing light
b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
c. green sidelights
d. All of the above
 
INLAND ONLY....You are meeting "head on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do you see on the tug and tow combined?
a. One green and one red sidelight on the outside of the unit
b. One green and one red sidelight and a special flashing light
c. Only the green and red sidelights marking each vessel
d. The green and red sidelights marking each vessel and a special flashing light
 
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....At night, a broken down vessel being towed would show the same lights as __________.
a. a power-driven vessel underway
b. the towing vessel
c. a barge
d. a vessel at anchor
Online Training Questions
 
We are at the end of our Wellness Series.  Though most of us take our health for granted, eating right and keeping fit are extremely important for our well being.
 
There is no time better than now for starting up on your fitness path.  Let's look at the questions from the last two weeks which included "Rx and OTC Medications" and "Stress Management"
 
Each week we tally the scores and most boats are doing well.  How did your crew do?

Wellness Series
Set Number 4
Rx and & OTC Medications
To view this question set again, go to RX & OTC Medications.  labelsFleet average on this question set was 92%....Great Job! 
 
Question 1..... Prescription medications must be issued by...
Answer....a doctor

Question 2.... Over the counter pain medications are intended by taken as long as you need...TRUE/FALSE
Answer....FALSE

Question 3..... If you open a bottle of pain reliever and it smells like mold you should...
Answer.... Throw it away

Question 4....An example of a pain medication containing the active ingredient Acetaminophen is ...
Answer....Tylenol
 
Question 5......As directed by your doctor low doses of Aspirin can lower your risk of heart attacks....TRUE/FALSE
Answer....TRUE

Question 6....Ibuprofen is in what form?
Answer....All of the above...Pills/Cream/Liquid gels
 
Question 7....What type of cough syrup should you use if you are coughing up mucous?
Answer....Expectorants
 
Question 8....Antihistamines are used for...
Answer....Allergies
 
Question 9....It is okay to place your prescription medication in a smaller container...TRUE/FALSE
Answer....FALSE
 
Question 10....When taking medications it is important to...
Answer....All of the above.....Read the label
/Take the recommended dose/Drink 8-10 glasses of water
 
Wellness Series
Set Number 5
Stress Management
To view this question set again, go to Stress Management.  stressFleet average on this question set was 99%....GREAT! 
 
Question 1.....  Stress is defined as...
Answer....a force that affects an individual
 
Question 2.....  Stress is always bad...TRUE/FALSE
Answer....FALSE
 
Question 3.....  What chemical does our body release when we are stressed?
Answer....Adrenaline
 
Question 4....Stress can cause what affects
Answer....All of the above.....Increased heart rate/Smoking/Rapid Breathing
 
Question 5....The first step in managing stress is
Answer....identifying your stresses
 
Question 6....Good communication can help manage stress..
......TRUE/FALSE
Answer....TRUE
 
Thanks for the good work!
Stern Shots  

 

 

Jonathan Newman

Jonathan Newman on the M/V Pimlico does dishes after breakfast.
 
 

Dennis Shaddix

Dennis Shaddix ties of the M/V Snipe
 
 

 Arthur Barnes on the M/V Karl Andren puts groceries away after crew change.
 
 
Alton Rivero and Jeff Hughes work on payroll on the M/V Karl Andren.
Nautical Trivia
 
LORAN-C
 
After 52 years of service, the North American LORAN-C System has been terminated effective 1500 CST on February 8, 2010.  The Commandant of the Coast Guard certified that Loran C is no longer needed for maritime navigation.  By cutting the program from the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2010, a savings of 190 million dollars over five years is realized.
 
The North American LORAN-C operated out of 24 U.S. Stations to provide radionavigation services to the U.S.. coastal waters.  It maintained accuracy up to 0.25 nautical miles and provided navigation, location and timing services for civil and military air, land and marine users.
 
The Coast Guard understands that a small segment of people (i.e. charter fisherman) still use LORAN-C and will have to switch to GPS.  U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains will continue in accordance with international agreements. 
 
Those of you that trained for a Steersman License, I am sure you remember how to plot "TDs".  I never thought it was as easy as plotting a lat/long, but it got the job done.  It was a great addition to dead reckoning!

Dates to Remember                

  
2010 Wheelman Seminars
         First Session               MAR 9 - MAR 10
     Second Session               MAR 25 - MAR 26
        Third Session               APR 6 - APR 7
 
2010 Advanced Wheelhouse Management (simulator)
         First Session               MAR 1 - MAR 3
     Second Session               MAY 24 - MAY 26
        Third Session               JUL 26 - JUL 28
      Fourth Session               OCT 4 - OCT 6
         Fifth Session               NOV 29 - DEC 1

To schedule Wheelman Seminar or Simulator please call Kelly 281-864-6011 or register online at HigmanBoats.com
 
Answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD... C, B, D, D, D, C
  
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from JAN 1, 2010 to date........467
 
Nothing beats having a contingency plan. 
 
This past weekend, my wife and I traveled to Washington, DC to visit our son.  As luck would have it, we visited the very weekend of the fourth largest snow storm to hit the area in 100 years.  Though the snow looked beautiful, roads were impassable and the city came to a standstill.
 
Fortunately for us. our contingency plan included bringing enough warm clothes to enjoy the elements.  With no taxis or buses running, getting around the city took hiking through the snow drifts.
 
Of course our flight out on Sunday night was cancelled. 
 
Did I have a contingency plan to get back to work on Monday morning?  Hardly, but the airlines did come through and got us on a plane Monday night. 
 
Any job we do should have an element of contingency to prepare us and our team for the unexpected.  Like the Tankerman who had a broken air receiver drain valve in his hand, having a plan in his head to deal with the situation would have minimized the problem.
 
Planning requires us to look at a task at hand, but also to prepare for the unexpected.
  
Have a great and safe week!
 
Sincerely,
GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.