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Steering Past Trouble
Emergency Repairs to your Steering System can make your day!
All mechanical things have the ability to fail at some point, so being prepared is to deal with the situation is step one. It is late afternoon on the Tenn-Tom system and your steering becomes unresponsive with no alarms; what do you do?
The obvious first step is to stabilize the situation:
- Activate the general alarm to alert your crew.
- Transmit to all concerned traffic you situation and location.
- Switch to "non follow-up" controls and see if it has an effect.
- If not, get the tow under control and to the bank if possible.
- Send the crew to troubleshoot the problem and report back.
Let's look at a possible problem and the fix. One possible problem is the failure of one of the the hydraulic rams on the steering system. It may have failed at the yoke (or other spot) and jammed into the quadrant. Solution: Isolate the remaining steering ram and run on one ram to get the boat to a safe spot until a replacement ram arrives. - Secure the power to the steering system....Lock out-tag out procedure to be used.
- Remove grating around repair area.
- Remove two hydraulic supply hoses at the two supply header connections adjacent to the damaged ram. Be prepared to collect hydraulic oil when releasing hoses.
- Use a 3/4" JIC cap to plug supply headers....OR...
- Remove two - 3/4" JIC to 1" NPT fitting at the supply headers.
- Plug the supply headers with 1" NPT pipe plugs. Use Teflon tape to seal threads.
- Remove the damaged ram from the quadrant and the cylinder bottom connection by removing both clevis pins. Remove cotter pin from the bottom of the clevis pins and tap the pin upward to remove.
- Clear the damaged ram from the area, secure the area, reinstall all deck grating. Test the system, check for leaks.
- Test steering capability. Remember you now have only one half of the steering torque available to you.
 This repair is only possible if the supply headers can be plugged. Do you have a supply of 1" NPT pipe plugs or 3/4" JIC caps available onboard? Along with a Higman Incident report and internal notifications, steering failures must be reported to the USCG. In accordance with 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 4.05-1, immediately after addressing safety concerns, the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge, shall notify the nearest Coast Guard sector office or marine safety detachment whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty consisting of: A loss of main propulsion, primary steering, or any associated component or control system that reduces the maneuverability of the vessel;
Along with the immediate notification, a written report must be submitted to the appropriate Captain of the Port within five days of the marine casualty. The written report must be provided on Form CG-2692 (Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death). Crucial Safety Alert.....anytime work is done on or around the steering rams, the power must be secured to the steering system with Lockout/tag-out procedures in place! A hand or foot caught between a steering quadrant and the end stop does not stand a chance! |
| Calling All Future Captains
Higman Leadership and Management Seminars set for October.
The 2010 Higman Leadership and Management Seminars will again this year be held at the Seamen's Church Institute in Houston. Dates this year are:
- October 04, 2010 - October 05, 2010
- October 14, 2010 - October 15, 2010
Candidates have been nominated by their Port Captains and should receive notification soon.
Here is what to expect.....
- Higman Leadership Professional Development Workshop.
- Team Building Workshop.
- Computer Technical workshop
- Law Review
- Safety Audit Procedure discussions.
- Policy and Procedure wrap-up.
Sign up details are included in letters to nominees.
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Is Your DOI Complete?
 At the Pre-Transfer Conference you meet the dockman and fill out your DOI. The two of you discuss the product, quantities, emergency shut down procedures, etc. Everything gets initialed signed and dated on the Declaration of Inspection. Then you start the transfer.
What about after completing the transfer? Most DOI's have an area for a completion time and date.
This must be filled in after you have completed your transfer. Also, some DOI's require information that needs to be filled out on the back of the DOI.
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CBT Third Quarter
It is hard to believe that we are already ¾ through the year. We are also almost half way through the third quarter of CBT training. Next week each vessel will be receiving a report to remind those that have not completed third quarter requirements. We appreciate the help the Captains and Relief Captains have been giving the training department in ensuring that their crew is up to date.
We would like to congratulate the M/V Cove Point for being the first vessel completing their third quarter training! They will be receiving a box of steaks for taking the initiative! |
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OTC/Prescription Medications and the Coast Guard As many of you have experienced the Coast Guard has tightened up on what they allow on Mariners to take. Unfortunately the Coast Guard does not issue a specific list of medications that they feel will interfere with the safe operation of the vessel. They do issue a general guide of types of medications that may disqualify a mariner from receiving a license. - Anti-Depressants require a waiver
- Anti-Motion Sickness Agents, may be used in accordance with manufacturers warnings.
- Anti-Psychotics require a waiver
- Anti-Convulsives require a waiver
- Anti-Histamines, if non sedative they may be used in accordance with the manufactures warning. If sedative and used within 24 hours prior to operating a vessel a waiver is required.
- Barbiturates, Mood Ameliorating, Tranquilizing or Ataraxic Drugs require a waiver
 - Benzodiazepines require a waiver if used within 7 days prior to operating the vessel (this includes some sleep aids)
- Cough Preparations with Dextromethoraphan or Codeine, OTC medications are approved under manufacturers warning. Prescription medications require a waiver.
- Diet Aids and Stimulants, if OTC may be taken according to manufacturers warnings. If prescription a waiver is required.
- Hypnotics a waiver is required
- Legally Prescribed Controlled Substances do not require a waiver if not used during or within 48 hours prior to operating the vessel. If used within that 48 hours, it may be waiverable. (this does include vicodin)
- Muscle relaxants (Centrally acting) require a waiver.
If you are unaware of what category your medication falls under, you need to consult your doctor. Though many of these drugs are waiverable this does not guarantee that the Coast Guard will grant a waiver. They may suggest that you consult your doctor about using some type of alternative. |
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Online Training Questions
The third part of our engine room series is entitled "Generator Engine Critical Parts replacement". In it we discuss the replacement of the generator engine water pump and the lift pump.
Here are answers to the questions that were presented.
How did your crew do?  Engine Room Series
Set Number 3
"Generator Engine Critical Parts Replacement" To view this question set again, go to Question 1.....The critical spare box contains spare parts that are critical to the operation and are replaceable by the crew.
TRUE/FALSE Answer....TRUE Question 2....The lift pump
Answer.... supplies fuel to the injector pump at a low pressure. Question 3....The water pump Answer....circulates cooling water throughout the engine cooling circuit.
Question 4...... The drive belt can be removed from the water pump pulley using a 1/2" socket wrench drive on the belt tensioner...TRUE/FALSE
Answer.... TRUE. Question 5....The water pump has a
Answer.... rectangular seal ring to seal the flange to the engine block. Question 6....The lift pump has a discharge pressure of 120 psi....TRUE/FALSE
Answer....FALSE. Question 7....After the lift pump, fuel oil goes to Answer.... the primary fuel filter. Question 8....The lift pump is for
Answer....pumping fuel oil at a low pressure to the fuel filter and then on to the fuel injection pump.
Thanks for the good work! |
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Stern Shots
Crew change day on the M/V CHESAPEAKE. |
Pilot Bryan Williams, Tankerman Dustin Horton and Captain Red Abshire are conspiring to get more stores from the Channelview office. |
Tankerman Lorenzo McKnight looks awful cool after unloading stores onto the M/V CHESAPEAKE in 98 degree weather. |
Tankerman Terry Sevin is thinking, "Is it hotter in the engine room or hotter outside?"
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The August 2010 Deckhand Class ready for action. | |
| Nautical Trivia
Concrete Ships
Whenever the subject of concrete ships comes up, I hear the inevitable comment; "Concrete does not float. How can they build ships out of it"? I always reply that steel does not float either, but we build plenty of vessels out of it!
Concrete ships are ships built of steel and ferrocement (reinforced concrete) instead of more traditional materials, such as steel or wood.
The advantage of ferrocement construction is that materials are cheap and readily available, while the disadvantages are that construction labor costs are high, as are operating costs. (Ferrocement ships require thick hulls, which means extra mass to push and less space for cargo.)
During the late 19th century, there were concrete river barges in Europe, and during both World War I and World War II, steel shortages lead the US military to order the construction of small fleets of ocean-going concrete ships, the largest of which was the S/S SELMA.
Those of you on the ICWW, crossing the Houston Ship Channel, are familiar with the sight of the S/S SELMA. She is located off the eastern shore of Pelican Island, where she was scuttled in 1922.
The S/S SELMA was a World War I reinforced concrete oil tanker constructed by F. F. Ley & Company, in Mobile, Alabama and launched on June 28, 1919.
On May 11, 1920, the S/S SELMA struck a jetty at Tampico, Florida and was damaged. She was temporarily repaired and headed to Galveston, Texas for further repairs. Unfortunately, the repair crew in Galveston had no experience with concrete ships. The government finally decided to scrap the ship.
A channel was dug near the eastern shore of Pelican Island, Texas and on March 9, 1922, the S/S SELMA was taken to her final resting place. Various plans were made to convert the S/S SELMA - a fishing pier, pleasure resort and even an oyster farm - but none ever materialized.
In 1992, the S/S SELMA was purchased by A. Pat Daniels, retired editor of the Houston Chronicle and Galveston Daily News. Through his efforts, the S/S SELMA has been recognized with a Texas Historical Commission's Official Texas Historical Marker and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The S/S SELMA has even been designated as the Official Flagship of the Texas "Army" and a State Archeological Landmark by the Texas Antiquities Committee. |
Dates to Remember
2010 Advanced Wheelhouse Management (Simulator)
Fourth Session canceled until 2011
Fifth Session NOV 29 - DEC 1
Higman Leadership and Management Course
First Session OCT 04 - OCT 05
Second Session OCT 14 - OCT 15
San Jacinto Maritime
Tankerman (PIC) AUG 16 - AUG 24
SEP 13 - SEP 21
Radar Renewals AUG 18 - AUG 20
To schedule a Simulator session, please email Kelly or call at 281-864-6011.
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from JAN 1, 2010 to date........3680!
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Deckhands return....
This week we have a group of new deckhand going through our three day orientation. What strikes me about this group is how enthusiastic they are about getting started. Most have no experience and they see this as a great new adventure. It is apparent that they can not wait to get through the three days on shore and then move onto our boats.
For most of us, being on the boat is a normal, everyday part of life. The excitement of that first voyage is gone long gone. But do we realize how unique our experiences are as maritime professionals?
Looking at TWIC statistics there were 1.5 million cards issued to nation wide. Of this group less than 200,000 were issued to actual Mariners. The other 1.3 million cards were issued to truck drivers, dock workers, repair personnel, etc.
Based on those numbers, a person who makes their living on the water, is part of a very elite group. Compared to the rest of the U.S. population of 305 million plus, Mariners make up less than one tenth of one percent.
I hope our new Deckhands realize they are joining a very special group!
Have a great and very safe week!
Sincerely,
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GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. | |
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