Starting August 30, 2012 TSA will be offering a one time 3 year TWIC Renewal. The 3 year TWIC is being called Extended Expiration Date TWIC, or EED TWIC. There are two major advantages to the EED TWIC:

1. It is a $60 Fee, (compared to $129.75 for the five year).
2. You only have to make 1 trip to the enrollment center (compared to 2 trips for the five years TWIC).

You can obtain an EED TWIC if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You are a US Citizen or US National.
• Your current TWIC is not revoked.
• You current TWIC is unexpired.
• Your current TWIC expires on or before December 31, 2014.

To obtain an EED TWIC:

1. Call the TWIC Help desk (866-347-8942, Mon-Fri, 7 am to 9pm Central). They will determine if you can apply for an EED with a few questions. You will pay $60 via Visa or MasterCard. You specify what enrollment center you want to pick up your TWIC.
2. The TSA notifies you when your EED TWIC is available for pick up.
3. You go to the enrollment center, turn in your old TWIC and receive a new 3 year EED TWIC.  You may make an appointment but it is not required.

If you do not qualify or would prefer the 5 year TWIC, the process will be the same as obtaining your original TWIC:

1. You may pre enroll online or via the TWIC help desk.
2. You go to the enrollment center to enroll, getting new finger prints, new photo, check your ID's and you pay $129.75.
3. The TSA notifies you when you TWIC is ready.
4. You go back to the enrollment center to pick it up and turn in your old one.

Summer Check List.

Summer officially came last week, June 20, 2012. The temperatures continue to rise, reaching over 100 degrees in the Houston area this week. There are many precautions that need to be taken before, during and after you are outdoors.

1. Sun Block: The sun can have short term and long term effects on your skin. A few things about using sunscreen:
   • Apply 15-30 min BEFORE going into the sun
   • Use SPF 30 or higher
   • Use a sunscreen that protect UVA & UVB rays
   • Choose a water resistant sunscreen
   • Reapply as instructed on the label
   • Use every day, even on cloudy days up to 80% of harmful rays get through the clouds
   • All skin types need sunscreen
   • Water, sand and snow reflect sun rays intensifying your exposure.
2. Seek Shade: long sleeves, hat, sunglasses, and umbrella, may be used to reduce your exposure to the sun's rays. Areas in the shade can also be up to 15° cooler.
3. Hydration: keep well hydrated. Take plenty of water out on the barge with you. Best hydration rule is to sip water whenever you feel thirsty. (Gulping fluids, especially when cold, may cause muscle cramps).
4. Mosquitos: Keep a good supply of mosquito repellant. Long sleeves will help to protect you from the mosquitos too.
5. Staphylococcus (Staph): has an optimal growth of 95°-98.6º, but may grow at temperatures of 44º-118°. It also grows well in moist conditions. So a few precaution to take to keep from getting staph:
   • When outside sweating it is important to shower after watch to avoid staph infections. Hot water is best for killing bacteria.
   • Wash linens and clothing frequently in hot water. Use bleach on linens.
   • Wipe surfaces with disinfectant (1 part bleach to 10 parts water kills most bacteria)
   • Potable water tanks should be treated with bleach!

Atlantic Hurricane Season

June 1 to November 30 

As a reminder, we are starting the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season.  Here is a storm checklist to get your boat ready: 

• Secure and clear all nonessential and loose gear.
• Remove all products from drip pans, etc, that can be exposed to weather.
• Mooring lines doubled up with due consideration given to the effects of predicted storm surge.
• Ensure that all personnel are prepared and equipped to safely maintain the vessel during severe weather.
• Wear personal flotation devices when outside.
• Tend mooring lines and have spare lines readily available.
• Have fire fighting equipment ready for immediate use.
• Ensure that all side ports, hatches, portholes and other openings are closed and secured.
• Maintain a continuous radio watch and monitor severe weather activity.
• Prior to predicted landfall, plan with scheduling possible safe tie up locations.
• Try to maintain contact with office personnel before, during and after the storm.
• Top off with fuel and water. Get permission from scheduling before doing so.
• After storm passes be vigilant for debris, missing aids, high water and stronger currents.
• Monitor Coast Guard radio broadcasts.

At your boat's next scheduled safety meeting, discuss these items listed above and other ways to prepare for the potential dangers of Hurricane Season. 

Is your AIS Info Correct?

Furuno FA-150 AIS

Each AIS System will transmit your vessel name, vessel status, destination port, ETA to destination, number of crew members, type of vessel and draft of vessel.  This information should always be correct and up to date.  Have you checked your AIS lately?

The following is a brief description of how to change the vessel information on the FURUNO FA 150 AIS.

Select "Nav Stats" on the front of your AIS

To change your vessel status       

• Press "Enter"
• Use the up and down arrows until appropriate stats (i.e Underway, Moored, anchored, etc) is highlighted.  Use the right arrow to select the single digit.
• Press "Enter" to select.

To change your destination port

• From the vessel status page press the right arrow
• Press "enter"
• Use the up and down arrow to find the port
• Press "Enter" when the correct port is highlighted
• The display will say "Select/Edit/Delete"
• Highlight the desired option and press "Enter"
• If your destination port is not saved on your AIS
• Use the up or down arrow until "New Port" is highlighted
• Press "Enter" twice
• Use the up/down arrow to select the first letter
• Use the right arrow to input the next letter, repeat until name of port is input
• When finished inputting the destination press "Enter"

To change the Date/Time of ETA

• From the destination port screen press the right arrow
• Press "Enter"
• Use the up/down arrows to change the day
• Press "Enter" to use the selected day
• Press the right arrow until the month is underlined
• Use the up/down arrows to correct month
• Press "Enter" to select month

To change the number of crew

• From the Date/Time of ETA screen press the right arrow
• Press "Enter" to change
• Press the right arrow until the last number is underlined
• Use the up/down arrow to select the number of crew members
• Press "Enter"

To change the Type of Vessel

• While on the number of crew screen
• Press the down arrow
• Press "Enter" when the vessel type is selected
• Use the up/down arrows to select "31-Towing Vessel"
• Press "Enter"

To change the Draft

• From the Number of crew/Vessel type page press the right arrow
• Press "Enter"
• Use the right arrow to scroll until the underline is in the desired position.
• Use the up/down arrows to select the correct depth (Remember it is in meters.  1 meter = appx 3.3 feet)
• Press "Enter"

When you are done entering all the information press "Disp" to take you back to the main screen.

USCG Navigation General

 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Day-shapes MUST be shown __________.

a. during daylight hours
b. during daylight hours except in restricted visibility
c. ONLY between 8 AM and 4 PM daily
d. between sunset and sunrise

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
b. two black balls
c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?

a. One black ball
b. Two black balls
c. Three black balls
d. No signal

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?

a. One black ball
b. Two black balls
c. Three black balls
d. Four black balls

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A vessel being towed astern, where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, will exhibit __________.

a. two balls in a vertical line
b. a diamond shape where it can best be seen
c. a ball on each end of the tow
d. no day-shape

CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees from

JAN 17, 2012 to date............1982!

• PLEASE 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 ...A,D,A,C,B