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Sea Foam
A Slippery Buildup.
A common sight at a barge coupling after a loaded transit is a messy buildup of "Sea Foam".
What is Sea Foam; how does it get there and how do we get rid of it.
First, let's look at Sea Foam.
Sea Foam is a type of foam created by the agitation of seawater, particularly when it contains a high concentration of dissolved organic matter. This matter is typically derived from sources such as the breakdown of algae blooms and other organic materials. These compounds act as surfactants or foaming agents. As the seawater is churned in the break between the two barges, the presence of these surfactants under these turbulent conditions traps air, forming persistent bubbles that stick to each other through surface tension. The dense foam is forced upwards through the gap and then deposited on deck.
Once on deck, sea foam becomes a big problem!
Typical of any surfactant, sea foam will make the deck very, very slippery. Working around a buildup of sea foam is an obvious slipping hazard and should be addressed by the crew before breaking up a tow or before docking when stung out.
Back in the "old days" crews used solutions that are not acceptable today. "Defoamers" were discovered by towboat crews that aimed at preventing foam buildup between the barges. Vegetable oil and bacon grease were often poured into the coupling gap. Some vessels used light oils. These products acted much like "Storm Oil" that was once a requirement on lifeboats to prevent waves from breaking onboard. The action of the oil on the surface helps keep the bubbles below the surface of the water and prevents their buildup on deck.
Of course it has been years since pouring oil into the water was a viable solution.
Solutions today begin with an effective wash down.
- If freshwater is available at the coupling, washing down the area is your most effective solution. The challenge on most tows is getting fresh water to this area. Do you have a hose that can reach? Is there a dedicated fresh waterline that can be charged from the boat?
- Without a fresh water line, use the boat's jigger pump connected to a fire hose to wash down the area with seawater. A 6 inch blind flange can be securely connected to the end of the suction hose for weight to keep the suction end in the water. Secure the jigger pump with a line to a deck structure. Bring along a 5 gallon bucket with water to prime the pump. Spray down the area.
- If you can break out the boat and pull alongside the coupling, use the onboard fire pump to wash down the foam covered area.
- A garden type pump spray bottle with a mixture of water and "Spic and Span" can be effective in knocking down the foam. Products like Spic and Span contain an anti-foaming agent that will break down the surface tension and release the bubbles. A replacement for Spic and Span would be automatic dishwashing detergent which also contains anti-foaming agents.
- Try using a water/baking soda mixture as another anti-foam mixture.
What methods do you use on your boat to eliminate Sea Foam? Let us know.
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Getting an MOB Victim Back Aboard
Make a ladder!
The crew of the M/V KYLE A SHAW demonstrated an emergency rescue ladder that can be used in retrieving a man overboard. With the high bulwarks on a typical towboat, once the victim is brought to the side of the vessel, how do you get him aboard? Make a ladder with your mooring line. - Start with looping the eye end of a mooring line, over one side of the timberhead.
- Loop the line over the side and then lead around the horn on the other side of the timberhead.
- Continue by make ladder rungs with successively larger loops.
- Assist victim climbing aboard.
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The crew of the M/V KYLE A SHAW uses a mooring line
to make a rescue ladder. |
Other rescue ladder ideas: - Use a step ladder tied to a secure point.
- On an empty barge, tie off a full size ladder to the nearest kevel.
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Painting for a Safe Environment
Properly painting your boat can help to eliminate slips, trips and falls. As you get ready to paint review the sa fety policies to ensure you maintain a safe work environment. Color Coding: Color coding is when you use a brightly colored paint to identify objects that may be a tripping hazard. A white or yellow paint can be used to contrast deck red. Color coding should be done on: - Timberheads
- Cleats
- Cavels
- Buttons
- Ecology rails
- Winch hydraulic lines
- Edge of stairs
- Outer edge of the barges
Non-skid: Non skid should be used when painting weather decks, ladder rungs, stairs, and the top of the bulwarks (caprails). If you have any questions about the paint scheme on your vessel ask your Port Captain. |
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BP...Near Miss Report Summary
4th Quarter, 2012
As one of Higman's major customers, BP is instrumental in collecting and sharing "Near Miss" lessons. These lessons come from maritime companies from around the world that work with BP. Recognizing and reporting near miss incidents can make a major difference to the safety of all onboard.
Review with all crew members at your next safety meeting, crew change tail gate meeting or just while sitting around the galley table.
From Capt. Aled Roberts of BP, Shipping (USA)
"BP Shipping thanks all the deck hands, tankermen, QMEDS, pilots, wheelmen, oilers, engineers, mates, masters and companies that had the courage to share their near misses with us. These reports have been reviewed on a monthly basis and a few have been selected so that they can be respectfully shared on a quarterly basis so that safety performance can be improved overall. It is with such excellent attitude that we can demonstrate a One Team culture towards elevating safety performance." |
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Nav Zone
New Light Lists Available
The 2013 Light Lists are now available. Click here to access. The Higman Boats links will be updated with the most recent lists.
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Mobile Middle Bay Light House |
USCG Navigation General Questions
Which agency publishes the Light Lists?
a. United States Coast Guard
b. National Ocean Service
c. Oceanographic Office
d. Army Corps of Engineers
Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?
a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
b. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light
c. An outline of the area of the sector
d. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship
If several navigational lights are visible at the same time, each one may be positively identified by checking all of the following EXCEPT what against the Light List?
a. Rhythm
b. Period
c. Intensity
d. Color
The Light List Does NOT contain information on __________.
a. the Global Positioning System (GPS)
b. aeronautical lights useful for marine navigation
c. radio beacon systems
d. radio direction finder calibration stations
How is the intensity of a light expressed in the Light Lists?
a. Luminous range
b. Geographic range
c. Nominal range
d. Meteorological range |
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Stern Shots
 | | This is not what you want Capt. Dwight to look like during a check ride. |
 | | Trey Davis shows off his new fall arrest protection. |
 | | Tailgating Higman style with a crew change safety meeting. |
 | | Capt Dave Box and Tankerman Terrell Swinton demonstrate making a mooring line ladder. |
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Nautical Trivia
Will return next issue.
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Dates to Remember
2013 Advanced Pilothouse Management at SCI
First Session APR 29 - MAY 1
Second Session JUN 3 - JUN 5
Third Session JUL 8 - JUL 10
Fourth Session AUG 19 - AUG 21
Fifth Session SEP 23 - SEP 25
2013 Higman Leadership and Management Course
Not yet set for 2013
2012/2013 Tankermen Seminars
Seventh Session February 6, 2013
Eighth Session March 25, 2013
Ninth Session April 11, 2013
Tenth Session May 14, 2013
Eleventh Session June 5, 2013
2013 Wheelmen's Seminar
First Session FEB 20 - FEB 21
Second Session MAR 4 - MAR 5
Third Session MAR 13 - MAR 14
To schedule training please email Kelly or call at 281-864-6011.
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees during 2013.................380 DO ALL CREWMEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE HIGMAN TRAINING NEWSLETTER? - 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 Nav Gen....A,B,C,B,C |
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Monday was an interesting day.
It was my day to show up for Jury Duty. I was scheduled to appear in Judge Dale Gorczynskis' court at 10am. No problem, I found the place, parked my truck and headed in at 10am, right on time. At the courtroom, I was given a "Juror" badge and led in where the Court was already in session.
Judge Gorczynskis was in the middle of an eviction case; it lasted all of 4 minutes including a gentle but stern admonishment to one of the ladies to not interrupt him again. The case was quickly closed and then on to the next one.
Before I could really figure out what was going on Judge Gorczynskis told us that this was the busiest court in the State of Texas and he had 122 cases scheduled for the day. Not a good sign. He had already completed 40 eviction cases and was waiting on a large group of truancy cases to settle. There were 12 other cases ahead that may need a jury.
The Judge next asked us if we would mind if he did some weddings while we waited. In no position to dissent, we jurors sat through two weddings. Amazingly each wedding lasted about 5 minutes including the picture taking.
Our Judge next told us that the 12 cases had settled during the wedding proceedings and we were now free to go. Most of us jurors signed a form giving the $6.00 compensation check to charity. We were then led one at a time up to see the Judge for a personal thank you from him.
See what most of you are missing when using that letter fromthe company saying you are on a boat and cannot make your Jury Duty summons.
Have a great and safe week!
Sincerely, Gordie
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GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
© 2013 HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc. |
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