As a Tankerman, what can you do?  It may seem like a small problem, but what are we really doing when we reset that circuit breaker?

Let's start with basics.

120 volt A/C Distribution.

The power that goes to the outlets and other users, lights, appliances, etc. starts out at the generator as 208 Volt, three phase power.  By taking parts of those phase legs, 120 volt single phase power results.  One end of the circuit, the hot wire, leads to the generator. The other end, called the neutral wire, leads to ground. Because the hot wire connects to a high energy source, and the neutral wire connects to an electrically neutral source (the ground), there is a voltage across the circuit -- charge moves whenever the circuit is closed. This power is distributed to localized panels for distribution throughout the boat.

Before the power gets to the receptacle or light switch, it goes through a circuit breaker in the localized distribution panel.   A circuit breaker located in the distribution panel, guards against excessive current flowing through the wiring.  Excessive current can build up heat in the wiring due to the resistance. In extreme cases, the heat can build enough to melt both the insulation and wire itself.  The chance of fire then results.

How does the circuit breaker work?

The basic circuit breaker consists of a simple switch, connected to either a bimetallic strip or an electromagnet.  The hot wire in the circuit connects to the two ends of the switch. When the switch is flipped to the on position, electricity can flow from the bottom terminal, through the electromagnet, up to the moving contact, across to the stationary contact and out to the upper terminal.

The electricity magnetizes the electromagnet. Increasing current boosts the electromagnet's magnetic force, and decreasing current lowers the magnetism. When the current jumps to unsafe levels, the electromagnet is strong enough to pull down a metal lever connected to the switch linkage. The entire linkage shifts, tilting the moving contact away from the stationary contact to break the circuit. The electricity shuts off.

• Trace out the circuit to find what is overloading it in the first place.  Are there too many high amp appliances plugged in?
  • Wheelhouse heaters are usually the biggest culprit.

If the on board trouble shooting cannot solve the problem, a maintenance report is in order.

Knowing the basic of your electrical distribution system on your boat will go a long way to help solve serious problems but more routinely, will help solve the small but aggravating problems.

It's a long three weeks. 

Tony Gotreaux, M/V George H. Thomas, and DJ Harper, M/V Annapolis tell about their days at San Jacinto Maritime. 

Their days start off at 0700 every morning debating with the room mate on who will drive and who will pay for the toll bridge to get to school.  On Tony's days to drive he lets DJ drive his truck because he can't stand the Houston traffic.  Class is a long day, normally working through lunch, lasting until 1700.  Bryan Elliott, Instructor for San Jacinto Maritime, says everyone starts getting "fuzzy eyed" every day around 1430. 

The days end with a homework assignment.  Tony found the homework hard one day when he got to the hotel and his whole stack of books fell to the ground completely out of order.  He said to himself, "Now which book do I use?"

Three weeks is a short time to fit in four courses.  They are currently taking Master 100 ton, Master 200 ton, Apprentice Mate, and Western Rivers.  So far the hardest part for each of them has been Rules of the Road.  They had two days to learn all the rules and take a 50, 30 and 20 question test on what they had learned. 

While learning how to plot they find that the best tool is the slide rules, though the first fix didn't make a triangle.  They are picking it up though, learning the tricks of the trade through a lot of note taking and learning all the mnemonics (we all know: TVMDCAW). 

DJ learns that taking your time is important; "Once you learn the process it goes okay. Then you get going too fast and mess something up."  DJ did notice that class is not as hard as he expected, which he attributes to the small class size and a good instructor.

We know that you are in a hurry to get home on crew change day.  If you follow these common courtesies it can help your next crew change get out the door faster. 

• If you require special arrangements between offices you must arrange transport before crew change day!
• Don't leave the gas tank on empty.  If the crew trying to relieve you runs out of gas, this will cause you to get off late.
• Check the groceries and supplies to ensure they are for the right vessel before leaving the office.
• Before leaving the office call the boat.  There may be some last minute items that need to be added to the supplies.

We know you don't want to go back to the boat, but the crew that you are relieving wants to go home.  They will be relieving you next crew change.  What comes around, goes around.

Also don't forget the policies:

1. Crew trucks are for transporting crewmembers, supplies and groceries only.
2. Crew trucks are assigned to boat crews on crew-change day. 
3. The packet containing the vehicle keys, company credit card, cellular phone and charger and gas receipts must be turned into the receptionist at the Channelview or Orange office, or the Port Captain in Mobile upon returning the truck.  After hours: if the office is closed, the packet containing the keys should be locked in the Company mail box at Channelview/Orange or returned to the Port Captain in Mobile.  All personal items and any trash must be removed from the crew truck at turn-in.

As many of you have noticed the CBT website has been updated for 2011.  The Training Department is working on simplifying the website.  We would like to make this as user friendly as possible.  Now when you start a course you will only have two options; "Play Course" and "Get Certificate".  The quiz is now incorporated into the end of the course.  Crew members will still have to open their certificate for credit.

We are still working on providing the Captains/ Relief Captains the ability to check the training status of their crews.  Updates will be provided once this feature is in place.

If you should experience any difficulties with the new style please report them to the Training Department.  Your feedback is always appreciated.

Last week a new FRIDAY QUESTION series began with "Winch General No.1 - Barge Winch Safe Operations".  This unit looked at the our barge winches and potential safety problems if they are operated incorrectly.

Over the past two years there have been several injuries during barge winch ops.  In all cases the winches were being tightened while standing in the wrong position.  In this lesson, I call that position the "Danger Zone".

Make sure all in your crew are well informed on how to properly operate one of these winches.  Using some simple rules and of course common sense, can eliminate these injuries.

Here are the answers to last weeks Friday Questions.

How did your crew do?

Winch General No. 1

Barge Winch Safe Operations

Question 1....The extension bar should not be raised more than chest height when using. True/False

Answer....TRUE

Question 2....The Danger Zone should not be entered when

Answer....operating the winch.

Question 3....It is ok to use your feet to put tighten a winch with an open spoke design.TRUE/FALSE

Answer....FALSE

Question 4....When doing an initial visual inspection, you should look at the _______________.

Answer....All of the above. (seen below)

-  Brake assembly; is it worn?

-  Gear teeth;are there broken teeth?

-  winch wheel; is it in good condition, not rusted out

Question 5....When the winch drum cable resembles a rats nest,

Answer....it may jam or surge.

Question 6....Both feet should be firmly on the ground when tightening the winch. TRUE/FALSE

Answer.....TRUE

Question 7....To stop a spinning winch _________.

Answer....use the brake.

Question 8.....A proper extension bar should be approximately ____.

Answer....2 feet long.

Question 9....Tighten using extension bar only from the ___________  to eliminate the chance of a ankle/leg injury.

Answer....side of winch

Question 10....The quarterly Tow Inspection form should be used to record discrepancies found on your winches.TRUE/FALSE

Answer....TRUE

Thanks for the good work!

Have a great and very safe week!