The obvious engine room checks are the easy ones.  No one forgets to check main engine oil levels. Everyone seems to know how to drain condensation from the air compressor receivers.  Other obvious checks are: 

"101" Valve

There are many service/inspection items that are easy to remember and are checked off with the Daily Engine Room Inspection Guide and the Weekly Inspection Guide.
 
But what about the not so obvious checks that also need to be done on a regular basis.  These may or may not not be specifically detailed in the inspection guides.  
 
Here are a few that should be on your list:

 
Water Lubricated Shaft

Water Lubricated Shaft Seal Strainer Basket

Seals....Cooling water strainers quickly pick up mud when operating in shallow water.  Check the strainer and clean out mud/debris.  Clean the glass strainer body so any mud build up can easily be observed. 
 
Hint....all seawater inlet strainers should be checked and cleaned such as the fire pump suction strainer.  
 
101 valve....The 101 valve located on top of the gear box, activates the gear shift for forward/neutral/aft operations.  Are the connecting joints secure with double nuts, jam nuts or cotter pins?  Is the valve securely bolted to the gear box.  This is on your daily check list, but should have extra attention.
 
Bilge Level Alarm Float Switch....Some are hard to get at, but should be a priority.  This item is on the Wheelhouse watch change check list.  If you do not have an easy way to lift the float switch, come up with one or talk to the repair department.
 
Small Leaks....look for small leaks that may cause problems in the long run.  The big leaks get all the attention, but a number of small leaks may indicate a bigger problem waiting to happen.
 
Engine Room Alarm sensors....

Murphy Switch Gauge

Make a complete list of the Murphy Switch Gauges in your engine room.  Each one monitors a specific liquid level....day tank levels, gear oil level, etc.  Are they all working?  Are all engine room alarms working when tested?   Note:These should never be tested while underway!
 
Engine Room 12 Volt Batteries.....Are water levels proper? Are constant volt chargers operational and putting out a small amperage; under 5 amps?  Are the contacts clean and tightly connected to the terminals?
 
Air Compressors....The sight glass is hard to see, but still must be inspected for oil level. On the check list, but often overlooked.
 
Have a good inspection idea?  There are other checks that you may be aware of that are under-looked and could be shared with the fleet. 

 

During the 2008 Wheelman Seminars, the Safety Department first rolled out a Safety Survey designed to measure our program against the Safety Culture Ladder. 

 

Your input two years ago ranked Higman at a 2.5 level...somewhere between Reactive and Calculative.  Basically, those that participated on average believed in 2008 that we had good programs, accepted feedback, followed Company safety policies, informally involved crewmembers in safety decisions, used some proactive measures such as audits, etc. 

 

We rolled out the same Safety Survey at the Wheelman Seminars this year and we are pleased to note that you believe there have been improvements over the last two years.  Your input this year ranked Higman at a 3.4 level....somewhere between Calculative and Proactive. 

 

What does that mean....basically it means you believe all of us visibly and actively participate in safety activities, establish safety goals for each vessel, use both reactive and proactive measures, and provide feedback that results in change.  Thank you for your feedback.  More importantly, thank you for making a difference by providing a safer workplace for all of us.      
 
As most of you are aware, our goal last year was to move up one rung on the ladder....but now we need to solidify that position on the ladder with Behavioral Based Safety (BBS).  As we get deeper into this year we will be working together to turn the concept into reality.  

 

A reminder to all of our fleet photographers, we are still taking pictures for 2011 Higman Calendar Contest. 

 

The photos should be full size pictures of Higman boats and barges.  The selection will be done in November.  Acknowledgements will be given to all winners. 

 

If you have any photos to submit please email them to janisa@higman.com or kaylam@higman.com.

After some help from our experts and a little research, the correct terminology is Pike Pole.  The term derived from the medieval weapon called a pike.  The pike was a long wooden pole with a reinforced iron spear on the end.  The pike was used by Pikemen as early as the 12th century as a defense against the cavalry. 

 

Many of the worlds Navies began using a modified pike as a boarding weapon.  The use of the pike by infantry disappeared in the 1700's with the introduction of flint weapons and bayonets.  However, it was used by naval forces through the 19th century. 

 

Though function has changed, a Pike Pole can be found on all types of vessels.  A fiberglass version is used by fire fighters to break up sheetrock to find hidden fires.

 

Is it going to work when you need it?
 
Everything mechanical is going to eventually break down.  Wires will ground out, bearing will seize, hydraulic lines will leak; you get the point.  If you and I could design and build a machine that runs without maintenance forever, then we could make millions.
 
Common wisdom tells us though that it is not going to happen.  All equipment at some point will break down.
 
If this is true, why are we so lax in testing our vital systems onboard?
 
A bilge alarm is normally a pain to test on many boats.  The probes are in the bilge and someone has to bend over to lift the float.  But without testing, how can you be assured that it will go off in the middle of the night if bilge waters are rising.    
 
Engine alarms should be verified as per our maintenance procedures.  Have you thoroughly tested these systems?   When was the last time you tested the Murphy Switch gauge for the gear box oil level?
 
Have we followed the all maintenance inspection and service guides?  Have we looked for other tests that may have been over looked?
 
Let us not have chance dictate the outcomes of problems in the engine room or for that matter, in the wheelhouse.
  

Have a great and very safe week!