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Hot is Hot!
With one hundred plus degree days, your Air Conditioning system takes on a whole new level of importance aboard your boat.
In the middle of one of the hottest summers on record, a well functioning Air Conditioning system becomes critical to your operation. Those that have lived even a day aboard without a working A/C, know what I am talking about.
Let's start with the basics of the Air Conditioning System.
The main components of any air conditioner are a compressor, two sets of coils filled with a refrigerant (Freon), and an expansion valve, all connected in a circular fashion. The Freon, which takes on both a liquid and gas forms follows a cycle:
- Freon gas enters the compressor. The compression process heats the Freon, changing it into a high-pressure hot Freon gas.
- The hot Freon gas is released into the first coil called the condenser. The high pressure causes the gas to move along the condenser coil, which is located normally between the stacks behind the wheelhouse. Over the course of this journey, the Freon gas begins to cool as a fan causes the outside air to absorb the heat. The newly-cooled Freon gas converts into cool liquid Freon.
- The cool liquid Freon enters the expansion valve, where it is converted back into a cooled Freon gas and released into the second coil called the evaporator. The evaporator coil is located either inside the boat, underneath the wheelhouse (newer boats), or incorporated with the condenser unit between the stacks (older boats).
- Air from inside the boat is blown by a fan against the evaporator coil, which contains the cooled Freon gas. The Freon gas absorbs the heat from the air, causing the air to cool and the Freon gas to start to heat up again. The newly-cooled air is released back inside the boat. The process repeats as the Freon gas enters the compressor once again.
Though most repairs to the units require professional help, there are some maintenance items that the crew should attend to on a regular basis.
Inspection:
Your Air Conditioning equipment should be routinely inspected visually at least once a week, especially in the summer.
- Look for condensate(water) back-up underneath the condenser coils. A plugged condensate drain will cause water to back up into the evaporator coils and decrease cooling surface area.
- Add liquid bleach on a regular basis to the drain vent line to keep algae from growing inside the piping.
- Check the condenser coils for dirt and soot build up. Air being pulled through the coils to cool the Freon will build up on the coil fins and severely decrease the cooling capacity.
- The evaporator coils on most boats is perfectly located for soot from the stacks to be pulled through the coils and get them dirty.
- If your boat runs through a large hatch of mayflies, expect the coils to need cleaning!
- A dirty condenser coil will cause the compressor to operate at a higher than designed pressure and will cause early failure.
- When operating, check for higher then normal vibrations, ice build up on the evaporator coils and non-normal noises.
- Report operating problems to the repair department.
- Inspect air conditioning filters. Dirt and dust build-up will decrease air flow. Most are washable and should be cleaned as needed.
Dirty Condenser Coils:
If the condenser coils are dirty, they must can be cleaned with a special detergent concentrate solution. "Special HD Calclean" is available from the supply department in Channelview. Before use, read all directions, safety concerns and wear the proper PPE. A spray bottle with pre-mixed Calclean is available to borrow from the Channelview warehouse if your boat is docked there. Check with Robert.
- Secure the air conditioning system using lock-out/tag-out procedures.
- Goggles, gloves and long sleeves should be worn when using the "Special HD CalClean.
- Mix a solution-one part Calclean to five parts water in a low pressure pump sprayer. Add the water to the sprayer first and then the Calclean.
- Spray the solution on the dirty coils and allow to remain for 5 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with low pressure water. Do not spray with high pressure water since the coils are easily distorted.
In summer time, the coils may need cleaning every two weeks. Your inspection should determine how often your boat may need to clean them.
A summer day without air conditioning is not a fun day. A few regular checks and basic maintenance can keep the units operating problem free. |
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M/V SPINDLETOP
The newest addition to the Higman Fleet arrived at Channelview for outfitting! The vessel is expected to complete outfitting during the week of August 8, 2011.
Gangplank crew:
Captain Scott Bryers
Relief Captain Luther Beckham
Pilot Sam Nelms
Tankerman Justin Lawrence
Tankerman Matt Cornelison
Tankerman Arthur Barnes
Congratulations to the crew on your new boat! |
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Making Passing Arrangements
We have recently received some concerns from non-commercial vessels regarding towing vessels not answering the radio for passing arrangements.
Navigation Rule 34 states the required maneuvering and warning signals for power driven vessels in sight of one another that are crossing or meeting within half a mile of each other.
Lets review these rules!
 Whistle Signals for Crossing or Meeting
- One short blast: I intend to leave you on my port side
- Two short blasts: I intend to leave you on my starboard side
- Three short blasts: I am operating in astern propulsion
- If you agree with the other vessels proposed maneuver, you repeat the signal they gave.
- If you doubt the safety of the proposed maneuver, you shall sound the danger signal (five short blasts)
Light signals for Crossing or Meeting
- One flash: I intend to leave you on my port side
- Two flashes: I intend to leave you on my starboard side
- Three flashes: I am operating in astern propulsion
- Each flash shall be around 1 second
- The light should be an all-round white or yellow light visible at a minimum of 2 miles and synchronized with the whistle.
Whistle Signals for Overtaking (vessels in sight of one another)
- One short blast: I intend to overtake you on your starboard side
- Two short blasts: I intend to overtake you on your port side
- The overtaken vessel if in agreement will sound the same signal
- The overtaken vessel if in doubt shall sound the danger signal (five short blasts)
Vessels nearing a bend that you can not see around should one prolong blast. Vessels on the other side, should reply with the same signal.
If at anytime you do not understand another vessels whistle signals you should sound the danger signal (five short blasts)
When a power-driven vessel is leaving a dock or berth shall sound one prolonged blast.
Vessels that reach agreement in a head on, crossing, or overtaking situation via radiotelephone are not obliged to sound whistle signals, but may do so.
All power driven vessels are required to make passing arrangements; either by whistle, light, or radio!
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Inspecting Your Crew Change Vehicle
Anytime you get into a company vehicle you need to make a walk around to inspect the vehicle for damages.
This is especially important if you are provided with a rental car for crew change. When you are assigned the vehicle, you need to walk around the vehicle and look for scratches, dents, broken lights, etc. You also need to check the inside of the car for torn seats or broken equipment.
If you notice ANYTHING, make sure you note it on the paperwork before leaving the lot. Make sure that the rental representative signs off on the paperwork, verifying you were not responsible for the damages. This will protect the company from being charged for damages.
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2012 Calendar Contest
We are still accepting pictures from our fleet for the 2012 Higman Calendar. If you would like to submit your pictures please email them to KaylaM@higman.com. But please hurry, the deadline for next years calendar is November 1, 2011.
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Nav Zone: Oversized Tow Obligations
33 CFR 162.75
Oversized tow permits must be obtained for all tows in excess of one-half the channel width, or 55 feet. Permits may be obtained over the phone through the Captain of the Port and are valid for one year.
If you are operating as an oversized tow there obligations that you must follow
- You may have to break down the tow as necessary to ensure that "a clear and free channel shall at all times be left open to permit free and unobstructed navigation by all types of vessels and tows normally using these waterways"
- "Tows in excess of one half the channel width or 55 feel will be required to stand by....
- "When passing is necessary in narrow channels, overwidth tows shall yield to the maximum."
USCG Rules of the Road Questions
INLAND ONLY....A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?
a. The downbound vessel has the right-of-way.
b. The downbound vessel must initiate the required maneuvering signals.
c. The downbound vessel must propose the manner and place of passage.
d. All of the above
INLAND ONLY.... Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used for maneuvering signals?
a. It must be synchronized with the whistle.
b. It may be white or yellow.
c. It must be an all-round light.
d. All of the above
INLAND ONLY.... Maneuvering signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.
a. all vessels when meeting, crossing, or overtaking and in sight of one another
b. all vessels meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and not in sight of one another
c. power-driven vessels overtaking and in sight of one another
d. power-driven vessels crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and NOT in sight of one another
INLAND ONLY.... Your vessel is proceeding down a channel, and can safely navigate only within the channel. Another vessel is crossing your bow from port to starboard, and you are in doubt as to her intentions. Which statement is TRUE?
a. The sounding of the danger signal is optional.
b. The sounding of the danger signal is mandatory.
c. You should sound two short blasts.
d. You should sound one prolonged and two short blasts.
INLAND ONLY.... You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What should be your next action?
a. Pass on the other vessel's starboard side.
b. Sound the danger signal.
c. Pass astern of the other vessel.
d. Hold your course and speed.
INLAND ONLY....When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.
a. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
b. "I intend to hold course and speed"
c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
d. "I request a departure from the rules"
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Stern Shots
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Capt Roy Lunson waiting repairs at Channelview
M/V ALLIANCE. |
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Tankerman Wes Vineyard thinking about dinner on the
M/V ALLIANCE. |
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Relief Capt Jacob Penny keeps them in line on the
M/V GROSBEC. |
 | | Deckhand Lawrence Pete hydrating on the M/V GROSBEC. |
 | | Tankerman Jamey Boureois finds the camera...M/V GROSBEC. |
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Steersman Ben Hoffman tries to escape the camera on the
M/V GROSBEC. |
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July 28, 2011-SCI Advanced Pilothouse Management Course... From Left: Mike De Cesare (SCI), Gordie Keenan, Mark Damge, David Cox and daughter Hannah, Mike Horn, Anthony Primeaux, Christine Shank(SCI). |
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Nautical Trivia
Spindletop...a short history.
With the M/V SPINDLETOP as the latest addition to the Higman fleet, here is a short history of the name:
Spindletop is the name of a small knoll just south of Beaumont, Texas.
Anthony Lucas, an Austrian-born mining engineer, had been supervising the drilling of an oil well on Spindletop knoll for several months in 1900.
Lucas continued drilling and on January 10, 1901, at a depth of 1,139 ft, what is known as the Lucas Gusher or the Lucas Geyser blew oil over 150 feet in the air at a rate of 100,000 barrels per day. It took nine days before the well was brought under control. Spindletop was the largest gusher the world had seen and catapulted Beaumont into an oil-fueled boomtown. Beaumont's population of 10,000 tripled in three months and eventually rose to 50,000. Speculation led land prices to increase rapidly. By the end of 1902, over 500 companies were formed and 285 active wells were in operation.
Before Spindletop, a big producer flowed 50 barrels per day. The Lucas well produced 1,600 times that amount. It showed that buried layers of rock could contain tremendous amounts of oil. What is more, it proved that rotary drilling was an effective way to obtain it. Spindletop marked the beginning of the modern petroleum industry.
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Dates to Remember
2011 Tankerman's Seminar
Eight Session AUG 15
Ninth Session SEP 20
Tenth Session OCT 11
Eleventh Session NOV 3
2011 Advanced Wheelhouse Management (Simulator)
Fourth Session OCT 17 - OCT 19
Fifth Session DEC 12 - DEC 14 2011 Higman Management & Leadership First Session SEP 22 - SEP 23 Second Session OCT 6 - OCT 7 To schedule training please email Kelly or call at 281-864-6011.
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from JAN 1, 2011 to date........3460! 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 Rules of the Road ....D,D,C,B,B,A |
Innovation is defined as the introduction of something new. It generally refers to the creation of something better, something more productive; the next great idea. Innovation can occur in processes and approaches to the way jobs are done.
Innovation is often used to describe big changes, but it also can be used to inspire small incremental changes.
Innovation is valuable only if it is shared. A great idea that goes uncommunicated is only an idea. Until it is put to a practicable use, it will never become an innovation.
So how does innovation show up in the towboat world?
Many of the tasks aboard seem routine. What innovative ideas do you have to make your operation better, safer and more efficient?
Here is an example of a towboat innovation.
I was speaking to one of our young wheelmen today about radar usage. He told me about a technique he has been developing using the radar with the chart overlay to help navigate in certain difficult areas.
His Captain and Releif Captain are now learning the technique and soon he will be ready to show it to the fleet through our CBT system.
That's innovation in action!
Have a great and very safe week!
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GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. | |
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