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Fall Overboard Prevention
The most recent statistics released by the USCG on crew fatalities reported 11 deaths in 2009 on towing vessels or barges. Of those, 8 were the result of falling overboard.
The above statistics are a sobering reminder that our dedication to safety and a constant attention to duty is as important the day we get onboard as it is the day we go home.
The crew of the M/V BOLIVAR POINT recently discussed Fall Overboard Prevention and came up with these reminders:
Understand the importance of Situational Awareness
- Situation Awareness involves being aware of what is happening around you and understanding how information, events, and your own actions will impact the operations, both now and in the near future.
How does Situational Awareness relate to Fall Overboard Prevention?
- Be aware of your surroundings and anticipate what will happen next.
- Never turn your back to the water!
- Proper PPE, always!
- Always use the walkway on top of the barge.
- Don't stand on the edges. Use handrails where available.
- Watch the bump!! Anticipate, warn others, hold on!
- Do not over reach.
- Be sure of each step....watch for hatches, obstructions, lines, etc.
- Do not sit on Timber heads.
- Good housekeeping means less tripping hazards, better footing.
- Proper lighting, flashlights, etc. are key to operations after dark.
Skiff operations bring another set of precautions to the overboard discussion:
- Do not overload skiff! Be aware of the weight limitations posted in the skiff. Take extra trips if necessary to avoid overloading.
- Never stand up.
- Of course, proper PPE goes without saying.
- When mooring to the towboat, dock or landing, be aware of current, wheelwash etc.
- Take waterway conditions seriously; weather, traffic, waves and wakes.
A reminder to all crew members to take precautions to prevent an overboard situation should be included in all pre-ops discussions. We never want to be included in a statistic like to one shown above.
Thanks to the crew of the M/V BOLIVAR POINT- Capt Scott Bryars, RC Sam Nelms, Steerman Karl Montiforte, Tankerman Arthur Barnes and Tankerman Justin Lawence. |
CBT - 2nd Quarter Courses
April 1 started a new series of courses on the Higman CBT website for 2010.
Here is the list of courses for the Second Quarter:
- Driving Safety
- Back Safety
- First Aid
- HAZCOM (Right To Know)
- Fall Overboard Prevention
A new addition on the CBT website allows you to check what certificates you have received during 2010. Click on the "2010 Course Quick Report" located in the heading area.
Courses from the first quarter will remain up throughout the year. Those that have not completed them can log in at any time and get them done. Feel free to take any courses listed on the web site: Friday Question Series and Shore Staff Series.
If you have operational, safety, or professional courses you would like to see, please email Gordie. |
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Inland-
ANNEX V
88.13 Lights on Moored Barges
During a nighttime passage of a channel side fleeting area such as Bolivar or Brazos, you may often times observe that it is filled with barges not adhering to 88.13. Beware! 
Here is 88.13......
(a)The following barges shall display at night and if practical in periods of restricted viability the lights described in paragraph (b) of this section.
- Every barge projecting into a buoyed or restricted channel. Every barge so moored that it reduces the available navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters.
- Barges moored in groups more than two barges wide or to a maximum width of over 25 meters.
- Every barge not moored parallel to the bank or dock.
(b) Barges described in paragraph (a) of this section shall carry two unobstructed all-around white lights of an intensity to be visible for at least one nautical mile and meeting the technical requirements as prescribed in 84.15 of this chapter.
(c) A barge or group of barges at anchor or made fast to one or more mooring buoys or similar device, in lieu of the provisions of Inland Navigation Rule 30, may carry unobstructed all-around white lights of an intensity to be visible for at least one nautical mile that meet the requirements of 84.15 of this chapter and shall be arranged as follows:
- Any barge that projects from a group formation, shall be lighted on its outboard corners.
- On a single barge moored in water where other vessels normally navigate on both sides of the barge, lights shall be placed to mark the corner extremities of the barge.
- On barges moored in a group formation, moored in water where other vessels normally navigate on both sides of this group, lights shall be placed to mark the extremities of this group
(d) The following are exempt from the requirements of this section:
- A barge or a group of barges moored in a slip or slough used primarily for mooring purposes.
- A barge or group of barges moored behind a pierhead.
- A barge less than 20 meters in length when moored in a special anchorage area.
The questions below are related to Lights and Shapes - Annex V, 88.13
INLAND ONLY.....A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?
a. Red
b. Amber
c. White
d. Yellow
INLAND ONLY.....At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.
a. not be required to be lighted
b. show a white light at each corner
c. show a red light at the bow and stern
d. show a flashing yellow light at each corner
INLAND ONLY.....At night, which lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?
a. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
b. All-round white lights placed at the corners of each barge in the group
c. Two unobstructed all-round yellow lights
d. Two red lights in a vertical line at the corner extremities of the group
INLAND ONLY.....Which light(s) shall be shown at night on a moored barge which reduces the navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters?
a. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
b. Two yellow lights in a vertical line at the stern
c. A red light placed on all four corners
d. A red light placed on the two corners farthest from the bank
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Online Training Questions
Online Training Questions will be back next issue.
Thanks for the good work! |
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Second Wheelman's Meeting. T. Johns and Randy Hopson are receiving orders from Sarah on how to save the world .
Gretchen admires her collection of seeds, completely organized. Can we say OCD.
At Wheelman's Seminar 3 Jasper Stephens enters the mine field guided by Darren Istre.
Wade Ferguson in a near death experience is helped by Chris Whitman.
The M/V ST. CHARLES is christened during its' blessing at the Orange Office.
John McMahan, Capt Jerry Casagrand and George Thomas on board the M/V ST. CHARLES at the vessel's Blessing.
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Nautical Trivia
USACE - M/V MISSISSIPPI
The M/V Mississippi is a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) towboat operating on the Mississippi River. It is the largest diesel towboat on the Mississippi River.
The M/V Mississippi is a working towboat for the USACE Memphis District. Ninety percent of the time it is moving barges, equipment and supplies in support of mat sinking operations. It also serves as an inspection boat for the Mississippi River Commission (MRC) during a high- and low-water inspection trip each year. Commissioners hold meetings at river towns in the boat's hearing room, which can seat 115 people. Its dining room has a capacity of 85 people. The boat has 22 staterooms and can handle 150 passengers. The Corps also uses it as a "giant floating ambassador".
During the Hurricane Katrina crisis, the Mississippi was moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi and used as a floating command center.
Tonnage: 2600 tons
Displacement: 2135 tons
Length: 241 ft
Beam: 58 ft
Height: 52 ft 1½ in
Draft: 8 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Installed power: 3 Caterpillar 3408 diesels at 350 K.W.
Propulsion: 3 Caterpillar 3606 diesels (6276 hp. total) turning 3 5-blade 93-inch diameter propellers
Speed: 15 mph; 8 mph with tow
Crew: 36 |
Dates to Remember
2010 Wheelman Seminars
Third Session APR 6 - APR 7
2010 Advanced Wheelhouse Management (Simulator)
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 a Simulator session, please email Kelly or call at 281-864-6011.
Answers to this weeks RULES OF ROAD...C, A, B, A,
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from JAN 1, 2010 to date........1640!
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During the Wheelman'S Seminars over the last few weeks, we discussed follow-up and feedback as part of our Team Building activities. A simple three step approach was presented by TEAM CRAFT to use as a discussion process after a major activity.
Here are the three steps you can use after an incident, loading/unloading, docking/undocking, or any major activity:
- Gather input on "What happened?". Everyone listens to each other's observations in addition to sharing their own. What are other people observing? How do people respond to your impressions?
- Next: Consider "So what?". Given what happened, what actions were- or ought to have been - most important to produce the desired outcome? What are the implications?
- Finally: "Now what?". What can be done in the future events to apply the learning from this event? How will the team (crew) make the application of ongoing events?
Overall..........
- Don't jump the gun through the steps and start talking about the "Now what" first. Start with the first two steps, even if only for a few minutes.
- Be open to - look for - different perspectives - points of view - new ideas from others. This will help you focus the conclusions.
- Aim to apply what you learn. What is going to happen because you had this discussion? What are the action steps? Who is/are the owner(s) of any assigned task.
AVOID.....I don't want to hear about it!
AVOID.....It's not my job!
The result will be that not only identify a way to get done what needs to get done; you'll also develop the buy-in from the rest of the crew to better insure that it happens.
Have a great and safe week!
Sincerely,
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GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. | |
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