2013 West Nile Outlook   

Mosquitos are here!

As many of you know the warm summer weather has brought out the mosquitos.  Mosquitos are known to carry several illnesses that can affect both human's

and pets.  These include:

• Encephalitis
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever
• Filariasis
• Dengue Fever
• Elephantiasis
• Dog Heartworm
• West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus was estimated to have entered the United States around 1999.  The 2012 season was extremely bad.  In the United States there were 5,674 confirmed cases, of which 286 resulted in death.  Texas was the hardest hit last year at 1,868 cases of which 89 resulted in death.  This year only 11 cases have been confirmed, though 7 of those have been on the gulf coast.  Despite the low count thus far, experts are preparing for another bad season.

Most people infected with West Nile will not have any signs of illness.  It is estimated that 20% of people infected will have mild symptoms (including fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands).  Only one out of 150 people infected will have a severe infection (West Nile neuroinvasive disease).  A severe infection could include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. 

At this time there are no specific treatments for West Nile virus, so it is very important that you take precautions.  Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to prevent infection.  These tips from the CDC  can help prevent mosquito bites:

1. Use an approved insect repellant every time you go outside.  Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol.  Follow the instructions on the label.  Do not apply repellents with permethrin directly to your skin.  If you need some on your boat please place it on your next boat order.
2. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when weather permits.  Thin clothing should be sprayed with repellent.
3. Use extra precautions during peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn)
4. Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in pet water dishes, bird baths, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants.  Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
5. Use air conditioning and repair screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

New CBT's Soon   

The new Computer Based Training courses will be released soon.  Once they are available for crew members to take, we will send a  message to all boats emails.  We appreciate everyone staying current on their training. 

Best Practices 
 

Every boat has good ideas.

Good ideas need to be shared, refined and become "Best Practices".A "Best Practice" is defined as a method or technique which shows results superior to those achieved with other means, and that is used as a benchmark.  In addition, a "Best Practice" can evolve to become better as improvements are discovered.

This column is dedicated to sharing the best practices developed while operating your tow. Each issue we will outline a "Best Practice" sent in by the fleet.  Share your Best Practice by sending to Gordie

This week's "Best Practice" is sent by the crew of the M/V BETHESDA.

Our barge pins don't line up on our barges so we have tried a few different things. A typical problem on deck can be the setup of tripping hazards with different coupling setups.

The attached coupling picture is the solution we came up with to help secure our coupling. This is the safest route we found that not only helps secure the coupling but also minimizes extra tripping hazards.

From: Relief Capt Cory Ledet

 

Preferred Span Markers on Fixed Bridges.

 

There may be a large misconception concerning preferred span markers.  Many bridges have three white lights vertically positioned over the preferred span.  However, according to the CFR's this is optional.

 

33 CFR 118.65 (c) Main channel. When necessary, the District Commander may prescribe that fixed bridges having two or more spans over a navigable channel shall have the main channel span marked with a set of three white lights arranged in a vertical line directly above each green light on the main channel span.

 

Do not rely on a bridge having the preferred markers!  Also depending on the conditions at the time you may need to use a different span.  As a prudent mariner you should use your own judgment to determine the best span at that time.  If you need further guidance on a situation please consult a senior wheelhouse member or your Port Captain.

  

   

I-40 Bridge in Memphis

USCG Rules of the Road

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?

a. Both vessels must be power-driven.
b. They must be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses.
c. The situation must involve risk of collision.
d. All of the above

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....Continuous sounding of a fog whistle by a vessel is a signal __________.

a. that the vessel is anchored
b. to request the draw span of a bridge to be opened
c. of distress
d. that the vessel is broken down and drifting

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....In a meeting situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

a. Stand-on vessel
b. Give-way vessel
c. Either vessel
d. Neither vessel

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

a. northwest (315°)
b. southeast (135°)
c. northeast (045°)
d. southwest (225°)

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is _____________ .

a. the last vessel in the tow
b. the last vessel in the tow and it is carrying a crew
c. manned, regardless of its position in the tow
d. None of the above are correct

Stern Shots  

Troy Totorico on the M/V Gretchen C is sanding the door frames, making the boat look good.

Sidney and Juan, always smiling

Sidney's giving the Point Comfort a new paint job

Advanced Pilothouse Management July 8 - 10.  From Left: David Devall, Jeff Sanderson, Gordie Keenan, Steven Cook, Wesley Vineyard, Josh Martin, Stacy Sawyer, and Stephen Polk

Jeff Sanderson's family gets to see what the simulators all about

Nautical Trivia

During the Civil War, the blockade of the Gulf Coast ports by Federal ships had a dramatic effect on the supply chain for Southern army supply chain. Two small confederate vessels, the CSS J.H. Bell and the converted steamboat, the CSS Uncle Ben defeated a much larger federal ship, the USS Morning Light.

USS MORNING LIGHT

Below is an excerpt from the Galveston paper a few days after the battle:

From the Galveston Daily News, Wednesday January 28, 1863:

 

More of the Sabine Pass Victory

We have learned fewfollowing particulars from the gentlemen that have forwarded the dispatches we have published and who have arrived this morning by the Orange train.

 

The USS Morning Light has now been towed up to the Sabine bar drawing 15 feet water. She is being discharged and it is believed can be lightered so as to draw no more than nine feet where she can easily be taken over the bar. Her cargo consists of clothing, munitions and a large supply of valuable medicines. Her ballast consists of pig iron and is a valuable acquisition.

 

Besides the 109 Yankee prisoners there are also 15 to 29 contrabands captured, making in all 125 or 130 prisoners.

 

The Federal prisoners say a supply steamer was being daily looked for by them with a large amount of provisions, etc. Measures are accordingly taken that nothing may prevent her safe arrival and reception at her port of destination.

 

The Captain of the small schooner, after he had hauled down his flag and surrendered, threw his side arms overboard, and was in return, put in close confinement by Major Watkins.

 

The Captain of the USS Morning Light states that from the desperate and determined manner in which our troops attacked him, they might have captured forty Morning Lights. He states also that the steamer sunk by the Confederate cruiser, in the engagement on Sunday before last off Galveston, was not the South Carolina as reported, but the gunboat Hatteras, one of the most formidable in the Federal navy.

 

The Federal prisoners here are said to express themselves gratified that they now have company in captivity.

CSS UNCLE BEN to the port

 We have just received the, following letter:

 

ON BOARD THE STEAMER CSS J. H. BELL, January 21st, 1863.

 

At sunrise this morning the CSS J. H. Bell and CSS Uncle Ben left Sabine Pass. When near the bay, off the bar, a ship and schooner hove-in full view. When we had approached within 5 1/2 miles, and at 8:15 am, the Bell opened fire with a 32 pound Rifle gun; called the "Magruder." Our shot fell short, and we ceased firing.

 

At 8:30 am, the enemy's ship, USS Morning Light opened fire on the Bell with round shot, shell and grape, but all fell short. At the same time, the Bell stopped for the Uncle Ben to come up. At 8:35 am the Ben came up, and both boats moved on to the attack. At this time the Yankee shot and shell were flying thick around the Bell. At 9 am the Yankee commander finding our two boats were closing his changed his position and paid his compliments to Uncle Ben in a discharge of his guns at her.

 

At this time, Lieut. B. W. Dowling of the 1st Texas Artillery, Cook's regiment was doing good work with the Magruder, and meantime, the 'horse marines" were pouring volley after volley into the helpless crew of the ship. About the same, time the schooner dodged, coming from the lee of the ship, fired one shot at the Bell which did not take effect. At 9:10am the Yankee ship struck her colors to the Bell, and simultaneously, the schooner struck hers to the Uncle Ben.

 

I cannot say all that might be said in regard to the boarding. I received the swords of the Yankee Captain and First Lieutenant. Capt. Charles Fowler of the CSS Bell behaved with great coolness, as all who know him will readily believe, and gave his orders to his men to take good aim and waste no ammunition.

 

The Captain of the Uncle Ben also deserves much credit for his cool intrepidity. Capt. Odium stood firmly at his post directing the Magruder in its work of destruction.

 

I took charge of the ship by direction of Captain Fowler.

 

After the sails were furled and the ship was in tow of the Bell, and the schooner of the Uncle Ben, I made examination of the ship's condition. I found no leak, but her hull bad been struck by a 32 pound shell the second port hole on the port side, and exploded killing one man and wounding five others.

We have now brought the prizes all safe to the bar and are ready for another fight.

 

Yours, ZACK YABEL