|
|
|
|
|
Intrinsic Safety
Only Intrinsically Safe electrical equipment should make it aboard your barge.
A shore tankerman boards at the dock early one evening, ready to load one of your barges. He checks in with you and proceeds to the boat to sign in. All is in order, but is it?
You notice that the shore tankerman has a flashlight in his back pocket most likely picked up at the local Walmart. It is obviously not intrinsically safe.
To start out, what does intrinsically safe mean and why does it matter?
Intrinsic safety (IS) is a protection technique for safe operation of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. The theory behind intrinsic safety is to ensure that the available electrical and thermal energy in the system is always low enough that ignition of the hazardous atmosphere cannot occur. This is achieved by ensuring that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area, and that all electric supply and signal wires are protected by safety barriers.
In normal uses, electrical equipment often creates internal tiny sparks in switches, motor brushes, connectors, and in other places. Such sparks can ignite flammable substances present in air. A device termed intrinsically safe is designed to not contain any components that produce sparks or which can hold enough energy to produce a spark of sufficient energy to cause an ignition.
How do you know if a piece of electrical equipment is intrinsically safe?
Intrinsically safe equipment must carry a label, which specifies the exact intrinsically safe (I-Safe) rating for the equipment and the name of a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, who tested it. Testing laboratories have very stringent certification requirements that vary according to the level of approval desired.
For use on a red flag barge for example, that flashlight at a minimum should have stamped typically on the plastic housing at least one of the following:
UL Class 1, Div 1
This means it is certified by Underwriters Laboratories for flammable gases, in environments where explosive material is present in the air at all times.
FM Class I, Div. 2
This means it is certified by Factory Mutual Research for hazardous locations.
Tell that Shore Tankerman that his flashlight is not acceptable for use on our barges.
Why you are at it, make sure he is not bringing a cell phone on board, blue tooth ear piece, etc.
Of course the 2-way radios that the dock supply are required to be intrinsically safe. Though most docks are extremely stringent on that requirement, it is not a bad idea to check the radio housing for the I-Safe classification.
|
|
2011 Tankerman's Seminars Begin
Seamen's Church is the location of the new seminars
January 25, 2011 was the start of the new Tankerman's Seminar. Fourteen Higman Tankermen met at the SCI site in Houston to discuss Operations, Safety and Engine Room responsibilities.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the chance for Tankermen to meet each other. Being assigned to a boat does not always give our Tankermen a chance to get to know others in our company.
There are eleven meetings scheduled throughout the year. The dates have been selected to ensure each Tankerman is off for two Seminars. You can find the meeting dates in the "Dates to Remember" section.
To find Seamen's Church Institute, click here.
 | |
January 25, 2011 Higman Tankermen's Seminar |
|
|
Confined Space Hazards
 Confined Spaces including cargo spaces, wing tanks, rakes, or voids may contain dangerous gases. Even more dangerous may be the lack of oxygen in these tanks. These tanks may be deadly and there is no way to "smell" or "sense" this.
This is why company policy states that entry into confined spaces is PROBIHIBTED unless the space has been certified by a Marine Chemist or Competent Person AND approval is obtained from the Company Dispatcher/Scheduler. (A Competent Person is not just any person that you feel is competent. A Competent Person is trained on how to use the equipment to test a tank and understand the acceptable levels of gases and oxygen.)
|
|
Wheelman's Seminars Coming Soon
The 2011 Wheelman's Seminar's are just around the corner. We have less than half the wheelman in the company registered. Please email or call Kelly at the Channelview office to make your arrangements. The meetings are mandatory for all Captains, Relief Captains and Pilots. It may be necessary to work with your crew so that everyone can attend. We appreciate everything you do to make these happen.
|
|
Low Water Advisory on LMR
On Monday January 24, 2011 the Captain of the Port New Orleans issued a Low Water Advisory on the Lower Mississippi River from MM 167 to MM 303. This is a result of the Baton Rouge Gauge reading below 10 feet and is expected to fall even lower. The Low Water Advisory warns of increased possibility of shoaling and that all vessels should use extreme caution. "All vessels should transit in the charted navigation channel to the greatest extent possible."
Also remember that vessels in the vicinity of 81 Mile Point (MM 177-179LMR) must check in with VTS New Orleans.
Rules of the Road
 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. No day-shape would be shown.
INLAND ONLY.... A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?
a. 2
b. 1
c. 3
d. None
INLAND ONLY.... Which indicates the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
a. A diamond shape on the towed object
b. An all-round light at each end of the towed object
c. A searchlight beamed from the towing vessel in the direction of the tow
d. All of the above
INLAND ONLY....A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may show either a flashing blue light or __________.
a. two amber lights in a horizontal line
b. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
c. a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
d. a fixed green light over a red flashing light
INLAND ONLY....While underway and in sight of another vessel forward of your beam more than 0.5 mile away, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?
a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
d. You need not sound any whistle signals.
|
|
Online Training Questions
Last week our FRIDAY QUESTION series continued the winch series with "Winch General No.2 - Boat Winch Maintenance". This unit looked at the Nabrico DF-156 Hydra-Electric winches found on most of our vessels.
Maintenance on these units is minimal considering the amount of work they do in our operation. Weekly maintenance as outlined in the "Onboard Maintenance Program" is important to keep these winches running smoothly and reliably.
Here are the answers to last weeks Friday Questions.
How did your crew do?
Winch General No. 2
Boat Winch Safe Maintenance
Question 1....The Higman "On Board Maintenance Manual" calls for the boat winches to be greased
Answer....weekly.
Question 2....As per the Nabrico Lubrication diagram there are
Answer....five point to grease.
Question 3..... When adding oil, use ____________ .
Answer....RANDO or TELLUS 32, the same oil as the steering system.
Question 4....If a winch trips controller box out due to over heating, when things are cooled down press the _______________ button before pressing the start button.
Answer....reset button
Question 5.... If you cannot keep your hand on a running motor for more than 5 seconds, it may be over heating. TRUE/FALSE
Answer....TRUE
Question 6....When doing your weekly winch inspection, it is not necessary to look at the face wires on the drum. TRUE/FALSE
Answer.....FALSE
Question 7....Excess grease should always
Answer....wiped up around the winch.
Question 8....Hydraulic hoses should be checked for
Answer....All of the Above....(Leaks and Wear, Splits, Soft spots.)
Question 9....Click on this spot where the hydraulic oil fill is located.
Answer....Fill cap as shown.
Question 10....The winch brake pads should be inspected for wear. TRUE/FALSE
Answer....TRUE
Thanks for the good work! |
|
Stern Shots
 | |
Capt. Jerry Casagrad keeps it shining on the M/V ST CHARLES. |
 | |
Steersman Billy Coats types away on the M/V ST CHARLES. |
 | |
Tankerman Patrick Hayden also typing on the M/V ST. CHARLES. What's with all the typing on this boat? |
 | |
M/V Bethesda under a sunrise in Corpus harbor. |
 | |
Steersman Corey Hopson instructs Teddy on how to read an inland chart...M/V BAFFIN BAY. |
|
|
Nautical Trivia
The First Navigation Lights on the Mississippi River
In 1869 the Louisville Pilots Association set up some lights at dangerous points along the Chain of Rocks above Cairo - the first fixed beacons on the Western Rivers. Five years later, in 1864, the Federal government took up the project. An act of Congress instructed the Light House Board to erect on the inland rivers beacon lights, day beacons and buoys for the aid of navigation.
When the work began, certain groups of old pilots opposed the project, fearing it would diminish the importance of their knowledge and skills and open the door of their profession to ignorant and inexperienced men. Mark Twain expressed their derision of a "pilot" who steered a steamboat down a river that had become a 2000-mile torchlight procession. "With these abundant beacons," he said, "and the banishment of snags, plenty of daylight in a box(searchlights) and ready to be turned on whenever needed, and a chart compass to fight the fog with, piloting, at a good stage of water, is nearly as safe and simple as driving a stage....And now (this was on his return visit to Mississippi in 1882) the Anchor Line have raised the captain above the pilot by giving him bigger wages."
Despite the closed fraternity of the old pilots, lights came to the rivers. By 1875 nearly three hundred bends and crossings were lighted. Ten years later eleven hundred beacons beckoned a pilot down the dark river, and lighthouse tenders made the rounds supplying the keepers with oil and inspecting the lanterns that lit every dangerous crossing from Pittsburgh to new Orleans.
from "Voices on the River, the Story of the Mississippi Waterways" by Walter Havighurst, Castle Books, copyright 1964 |
|
Dates to Remember
2011 Wheelman's Seminar
First Session MAR 8 - MAR 9
Second Session MAR 24 - MAR 25
Third Session APR 5 - APR 6
2011 Tankerman's Seminar
Second Session FEB 10 (Full)
Third Session MAR 17
Fourth Session APR 21
Fifth Session MAY 23
Sixth Session JUN 8
Seventh Session JUL 11
Eight Session AUG 15
Ninth Session SEP 20
Tenth Session OCT 11
Eleventh Session NOV 3
2011 Advanced Wheelhouse Management (Simulator)
First Session FEB 7 - FEB 9
Second Session APR 25 - APR 27
Third Session AUG 1 - AUG 3
Fourth Session OCT 17 - OCT 19
Fifth Session DEC 12 - DEC 14
To schedule training please email Kelly or call at 281-864-6011.
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from JAN 1, 2011 to date........640! DO ALL CREWMEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE HIGMAN TRAINING NEWSLETTER? - PEASE MAKE SURE A HARD COPY IS PRINTED AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE CREW.
- Add your email address with the "Join our Mailing List" button (above, page 1, left side) to get your own copy!
Answer to this weeks NAV Questions....A, D, B, A, B |
You would never know it to look at him, but George Thomas, the president of our company, had his 90th birthday last week.
At an age when most people think of retiring, George, along with his partner John McMahan bought Higman Marine. That was twenty five years ago when George was only 65.
To me that is an inspiration. When we think we have accomplished all there is in life, remember you can always accomplish more.
Every day there is an opportunity to learn more, to build more and to encourage those around us. Let's get to it!
Have a great and very safe week!
Sincerely, |
GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. | |
|
|
|
|
|
