Is this a recipe for an injury or an incident?  All the facts point to the possibility unless common sense and foresight is used.

Let's throw in a few more parts of these scenarios and break it all down.

To start out, the on-going crew assembled at their crew change office, picked up the truck, loaded groceries and then got on the road to meet the boat.

One crewmember stayed the previous night at the local hotel and is well rested; the other left his house at 3AM after attending a family gathering and a short sleep. One is rested; the other tired.

Higman company policy encourages all crewmembers to be rested when returning to work. If you live more than 100 miles from your assigned crew change location, a local hotel near the crew change office is available with prior notification of the personnel department. The responsibility rests on all of us to return to the boat ready to go to work and to be able to safely operate the vessel.

On the road, the crew hits some cold morning fog along I-10. Though the visibility is poor, the crew pushes on at a speed that may be unsafe. They have a schedule to meet and they do not want to delay the crew going home.

The most dangerous part of your job may be the drive to and from the boat. In 2011, there were over 32,000 fatalities on US roadways. Always drive aware of the conditions and adjust accordingly. Make sure your crew change vehicle is in good shape and ready to make the trip. Report any problems with the vehicle so the next guy does not get stuck with them. Getting there safely is the best start to your hitch.

Your towboat has pulled into a familiar landing which involves climbing down a steep bank to access the boat.

Here it is up to the Captain to select the safest area available to conduct  the crew change. This can be a challenge with the onset of security regulations, many docks are refusing to let crew changes take place. If unfamiliar with the area, check with other boats to find a suitable spot.

If the skiff is required to make the transfer, make sure all safety procedures are followed; work vests properly worn, a hand held VHF onboard, an adequate fuel supply and the weather is suitable.

Remember it is easy to overload a skiff. Pay attention to the load limit, which can be found on a reflective sticker inside the skiff. 

Now at the boat, the on-going and off-going crew gathers. The truck is loaded with not only groceries but spare parts and a coil of line. It is time to transfer from the truck to the boat.   

Here is where some stretching exercises may be in order. After a long truck ride, your muscles need to be warmed up before going into action. Take several minutes to do some stretching exercises to get your body moving.

Grocery boxes, coolers and supplies can be heavy. Make sure there are enough crewmembers on each cooler, box, etc to spread out the load. Lift with your knees not your back.  Never turn at the waist, use your feet to turn.

All supplies are loaded abroad and the off going crew is anxious to leave.

Turning over the vessel to the oncoming crew involves more than a quick conversation. The status of all equipment, machinery, barges should be discussed.

Use the Crew Change Checklist found in the Higman Policy And Procedure Manual, Watchstanding section, as a guide. Some of the items listed are:

• Status of Safety Meetings
• Traffic concerns
• Current orders, Cargo specs, dock situation
• Incidents, accidents and first aid issues form past hitch
• Maintenance concerns
• Barge conditions, void inspections

The checklist is very thorough and can make the transition conversation complete and efficient.

Make your crew change day the starting point for a safe hitch, coming to and going from the boat. 

Navigation Tip of the Week.

You have always heard the terminology "Red Right Returning".  This refers to the red buoys and day boards being on the right side when you are returning from sea.

USCG Rules of the Road

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?

a. One red light
b. Two red lights
c. One white light
d. Two green lights

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You see a vessel displaying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights are red and the middle light is white. She is also showing a white light at the stern, which is lower than the forward light. It could be a __________.

a. survey vessel
b. vessel not under command
c. vessel aground
d. pilot vessel with port side to you

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Which craft would be considered a "power-driven vessel" under the Rules of the Road?

a. An auxiliary sail vessel, using her engine
b. A canoe being propelled by a small outboard motor
c. A tug powered by a diesel engine
d. All of the above

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of collision may exist. You should __________.

a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel
b. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
c. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its portside

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....The lights required by the Rules must be shown __________.

a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
b. at all times
c. ONLY from sunset to sunrise
d. whenever a look-out is posted