Making Onboard Training Stick

What makes them remember what they learned?

How well is your crew prepared to operate and maintain the equipment aboard your boat and barges?  If your vessel is like most, the skill levels of those aboard vary up or down.  Some know it all, some are just starting and some need an extra kick in the pants to get the process going. 

A crew is a group of individuals that have different skills, different talents and different motivations.  Some learn quickly and others may take more time.

A lesson on trash pump operation takes place on the M/V FREEPORT

When onboard training is required, how do we make that training stick so the lessons learned are retained for the future?

The Higman Marine Steersman Program

How does it work?

Several times a week we get asked "how do I get into the Steersman program" or "when am I going to school". Over the past couple of years there have been several changes to the program. So here is how it all works.

First an individual that is interested in applying needs to look at the eligibility requirements. The minimum requirements are:

• Must have 360 days of service, 240 on towing vessels (USCG requirement)
• 90 days on service on each Inland Water and Western Rivers (USCG requirement)
• Must have at least one year employment on Company boat as a Tankerman
• Must not be on probation
• Must be current on Reoccurring Training (CBT)

If an employee meets all these requirements the next step is to submit an application on Higman Boats. The Steersman Committee meets at least once per quarter to review the applications. Applicants that are selected by the Committee will receive a letter (at home and on the boat) to schedule a formal interview. The applicant will then contact Kelly Cleaver to schedule an interview on their time off.

On the date of the interview the applicant will come to the Channelview office to meet with the Steersman Committee. The applicant should bring two letters of recommendation with them to the interview. The interview will be a 30-60 minute intense questioning session. After the interview the Committee will discuss the interview and let the candidate know if he is accepted into the program.

Once accepted into the program, a date will be set for school (much of this will fall during off time, to decrease disruption in the vessel schedule). To help the candidate prepare for school, the Committee will issue a "Sea Project" (this was just added to the program this month). The Sea Project will consist of common elements plus any areas that the candidate may be weak in.

The school is a very intense three week program. During that time the students will learn Rules of the Road, General Navigation, Plotting, Navigation Safety and more. Currently school is being held at San Jacinto Maritime in Pasadena, TX.   While attending school Higman will provide tuition, books, lodging and meals and the student will be paid a training wage.

After completion of school the Coast Guard application will be filed. It may take several weeks before the Steersman License is issued. Once the license is issued the Steersman will be placed with a trainer.

When the steersman has become a Level 2 Steersman the Committee will access the progress and schedule the Steersman for a five day Radar class. Within a couple more months the Steersman will be set up for check ride to test the Steersman's abilities.

From the time a candidate is accepted into the program, the entire Steersman process typically takes 18 months. The Coast Guard requires 240 (12 hour) days, 90 days on each route, and a completed Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR). Once the final approval is given by the Steersman Committee an application will be filed with the Coast Guard for the Mate (Pilot) of Towing license.

2012/2013 Tankermen Seminar 

Starting in July, we will begin Tankermen Seminars. These meetings will be used to update deck crews on changes in policy and procedures and complete required training that can not be completed onboard. All Tankerman and Steersman are required to attend one
 of the meeting.

There are eleven seminars scheduled. Each will be a one day event held at the Seaman's Church Institute in Houston, TX. Crew members are required to attend during their scheduled off time. The schedule has been set so that each Tankerman is off for at least two meetings, most will be off for three meetings. A matrix will be emailed to each boat, identifying how the vessel schedule coincides with the meeting schedule.

Crew members will receive one days pay for attending. Accommodations for the evening before will be provided if you live more than 100 miles. Each meeting will be limited to 20 attendees, so if you have a particular meeting you would like to attend you need to book early. Please call or email Kelly to schedule a meeting.

The dates are:

1. Wednesday July 25, 2012
2. Monday August 13, 2012
3. Thursday September 6, 2012
4. Wednesday October 24, 2012
5. Thursday November 15, 2012
6. Monday January 21, 2013
7. Wednesday February 6, 2013
8. Monday March 25, 2013
9. Thursday April 11, 2013
10. Tuesday May 14, 2013
11. Wednesday June 5, 2013

Chemical Corner  
   

For the next few months, the Higman Training Newsletter will highlight the products carried aboard Higman Barges. The information below is general and is not meant to replace the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). For detailed product safety and health information, be sure to read the most current MSDS for the product you are interested in.

Today's Chemical is:

Mixed Xylene

What is it?

Mixed Xylene is used as a feed stock in the Paraxylene manufacturing process.  It involves the catalytic conversion of metaxylene and orthoxylene into paraxylene followed by the crystallization of paraxylene.

Mixed Xylenes

Mixed xylene is also used in the production of ethylbenzene, as a solvent in products such as paints and coatings, and is blended into gasoline.

Mixed Xylene is a  clear, colorless, sweet-smelling liquid that is very flammable.

How is it shipped?

Mixed Xylene  is typically shipped in bulk via tank barge, rail tank car or ocean going tanker.

What are my concerns?

Eye contact: Moderate to severe irritant. Contact with liquid or vapor may cause irritation.

In case of contact with eyes, immediately flush with clean, low-pressure water for at least 15 min. Hold eyelids open to ensure adequate flushing. Seek medical attention.

Skin Contact:  Moderate to severe irritant. May cause skin irritation with prolonged or repeated contact. Practically nontoxic if absorbed following acute (single) exposure. Liquid may be absorbed through the skin in toxic amounts if large areas of skin are exposed repeatedly.

Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated areas thoroughly with soap and water or waterless hand cleanser. Obtain medical attention if irritation or redness develops.

Ingestion:   The major health threat of ingestion occurs from the danger of aspiration (breathing) of liquid drops into the lungs, particularly from vomiting. Aspiration may result in chemical pneumonia (fluid in the lungs), severe lung damage, respiratory failure and even death. 

Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal disturbances, including irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and central nervous system (brain) effects similar to alcohol intoxication. In severe cases, tremors,

convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, respiratory arrest, and death may occur.

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Do not give liquids. Obtain immediate medical attention. If spontaneous vomiting occurs, lean victim forward to reduce the risk of aspiration. Small amounts of material which enter the mouth should be rinsed out until the taste is dissipated.

Inhalation:

Excessive exposure may cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs and respiratory tract. Central nervous system (brain) effects may include headache, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination, unconsciousness, coma, respiratory failure, and death. 

Effects to the blood (including decreased platelet and white blood cell counts), cardiovascular system, nervous system, retina, lungs, gastrointestinal system, spleen, and kidneys have been reported from large, acute (short) and repeated or prolonged exposures.

FLASH POINT: 81°F

AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: 867°F

Vapors may be ignited rapidly when exposed to heat, spark, open flame or other source of ignition.  Flowing product may be ignited by self-generated static electricity. When mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source, flammable vapors can burn in the open or explode in confined spaces.

Being heavier than air, vapors may travel long distances to an ignition source and flash back. Runoff to sewer may cause fire or explosion hazard. 

Nav Zone

Monitoring Proper Channels

It is very important to ensure you are monitoring the proper radio channels. The radio is the primary means for a vessel to announce when they are in need of assistance or in distress. Channel 16 is designated as the international distress frequency. It can also be used to hail another vessel, and ask them to switch to a working channel. Channel 16 should be monitored by all vessels.

Each VTS will have their channel which you are required to monitor when operating within the VTS area. Fleets will have a working channel that you should monitor when you are in their fleet. Here are some common working channels in the Houston Area:

11 Houston VTS Baytown inward

12 Houston VTS Baytown outward

18 ACL Fleet

63 Boone's Fleet

71 SBS

USCG Navigation General Questions

In the United States, short-range radio navigational warnings are broadcast by the ____________.

A: Coast Guard
B: Corps of Engineers
C: NOAA
D: harbor master of the nearest port

Which statement is TRUE concerning "night effect" and the reception of radio signals?

A: "Night effect" is most prevalent late at night.
B: During "night effect", polarization is at a minimum.
C: "Night effect" is caused by rapid changes in the ionosphere.
D: "Night effect" is caused by all of the polarized

Drawbridges equipped with radiotelephones display a _______.

A: day signal of a yellow diamond marked with the call sign
B: white sign with the number 16 and the call sign on it
C: black and white diamond marked with RT 16
D: blue and white sign showing the radio's channels

If the radio signal ground wave extends out for less distance than the minimum skywave distance, there is an area in which no signal is received. This is called the ______.

A: skip zone
B: blackout zone
C: diffraction zone
D: shadow zone

Stern Shots

Old and new....Galveston Causeway looking East....By Capt Mike Maneely, M/V BAFFIN BAY

A visitor uses the steps on the M/V SAN ANTONIO.

Nautical Trivia  

The following is from the Galveston Daily News, published on June 4, 1889 and talks about the first regularly scheduled steamboats that operated in Galveston Bay and surrounding areas starting in 1836.  Note the end of the Texas  Revolution was April 21, 1836 with the battle of San Jacinto.

Old Steamboat Days

The First Craft

"Among the earliest steamboats on Galveston Bay of which there is any record are the Yellowstone and the Laura, which were here as early as 1836, but it was not until the ensuing year that arrivals became more than spasmadic. In 1837 the steamboat Convoy arrived from New Orleans and sailed along the coast as far as Matagorda.

The first regular steamboat advertisement the compiler of this sketch has been able to discover appeared in the Telegraph and Texas Register, is dated Houston, April 4 1837 and reads as follows:

"The steamer Leonidas, Captain Hanna, will ply regularly between this city and Galveston, and will leave for the latter place on Sunday morning. For freight or passage apply to the captain on board or to Deswell & Adams, agents. Passage and fare, $7".

The Steamer Yellowstone played an important role in the Texas Revolution of 1836, crossing the Texas Army under Sam Houston over the swollen Brazos River ahead of Santa Anna's pursuing Mexican Army

Within the next few years the following vessels were engaged in the Galveston and Houston trade: Steamers Branch T. Archer, Captain Ross; Sam Houston, Captain Grayson; Warsaw, Comanche, Captain McQueen; Constitution, and Correo. The latter craft made a trip from Galveston to Houston in the unprecedented time of forty hours.

On October 5, 1838, Van Winkle Bros. advertised the steamer Sam Houston for Houston, but after a few trips she struck a snag and sunk. In February 1840, the steamer Emblem was sunk in Buffalo Bayou and in the same year steamers Rodney and Dayton were advertised for Buffalo Bayou. Cabin passage was $5 and Texas money was worth about 25cents on the dollar. The steamer Albert Gallatin exploded her boilers in 1841, killing thirty four persons."