Hydrogen Sulfide or H2S is a fact of life in the transportation of petrochemicals.  Though not in every product, there is enough around that all tank barge operators should be diligent in detecting it and ready to react if it shows up.

Typically found as a contaminate in unrefined cargo such as crude oil, it can also be found in feed stocks, heavy fuel oils and clean products such as Naphtha.  It is formed by a chemical reaction and can occur in either a liquid or gaseous form.  Consult with the MSDS before handling cargoes with potential H2S.

H2S can be deadly to humans in concentrations above 600 ppm.

H2S can be detected by smell in lower concentrations with the distinctive "rotten egg" odor.  At concentrations in the air of greater than 20 ppm, you will begin to lose your sense of smell. 

Since your smell can be unreliable in the detection of H2S, we use personal H2S monitors.

Here's what you need to know on your H2S Monitor:

• Each boat is equipped with 2 - MSA Altair Single Gas Detectors marked specifically for H2S gas. 
• The monitors are good for 2 years and countdown the number of months to go with a readout on the screen when turned on.  When less than one month remains, the display changes to the number of days remaining.  It's time to re-order with 1 -2 months left.
• Use the H2S monitor any time on the barge.  In transit with no cargo operations ongoing, H2S gas could be present by a leaking hatch, damaged tank, etc.
• Attach it to your clothing close to your breathing zone. It does no good to be in your pocket!

Before using each day, several checks must be made:

• H2S Monitor Life - How many months are left? Check countdown screen for months (or days if less than one month) left in the monitor's life.
• Confidence and Heartbeat Indicator - every 60 seconds there will be two red flashes and a small dot on the screen indicating the unit is operating.
• Alarm Test - Press the TEST button momentarily. A one-second test of the alarms will occur; this includes the display, alarm lights,  vibrator and horn.

If these items do not activate, remove the instrument from service.

• Press the TEST button momentarily -  "TEST" "GAS" "?" will display.
• Press the TEST button again while "TEST" "GAS" "?" is displayed to activate the Bump Test mode.  An hourglass and "GAS" will display on the screen.
• Use your test gas bottle and apply a shot of gas into the sensor port.  If gas is detected, the display will indicate "OK".  If no gas is detected, you will get an "ERR" message.

The Letter "Y" and adding "Cursor ETA"

Passing Point Predictor indicate where you will meet other vessels in confined waterways, even around bends in a river.  Use the letter "Y" to turn on or turn off your Passing Point Predictor. 

Don't see your Passing Point Predictor?  Someone may have hit the letter "Y" on your keyboard and accidentally turned it off.  Hit "Y" again and it will return. 

Cursor ETA

For a quick check on when you will arrive at a spot on your chart and how far away it is, add the "Cursor ETA" panel to your instrument panel.

• Open your instrument panel....on right side of screen.
• Right click in your instrument panel
• Click on "add another panel"
• In the "add another panel" box, scroll down and click on "cursor ETA" 
• Click on the "add" button.

New Lift Bridge Procedures 

The Victoria Barge Canal will have three signs on either side of the lift bridge.  One at 2 miles, one at 1 mile and a 0.5 mile marker (interlocker limits).

At the 2 Mile Marker the Wheelman on watch must:

• Operate AIS Transponder
• Tune radio to Channel 16

You will see a very large highway grade reflective sign at this point.  The Dispatcher of the UPRR Bridge will initiate contact on the VHF Channel 16.  You may be instructed to switch to Channel 12.  A job briefing will be completed between the dispatcher and the wheelmen to:

•  Determine if the marine vessel needs authority to pass through the lift bridge interlocker limits.
• A directional move to pass through the lift bridge interlocker limits or if multiple moves will be made through the lift bridge interlocker limits.
• Determine what time the marine vessel will be at the 0.5 mile marker (bridge interlocker limits)
• Dispatch will advise the Captain of the status of the lift bridge (if the bridge is not open they will not authorize them to pass the 0.5 limit and will advise an estimated time they will be able to grant authorization.

You must use the railroad recognized terminology below:

Dispatcher: "(Vessel name) that is correct"   

At the 1 Mile Marker

At the 0.5 Mile Marker

Stop if you do not have authority to pass the interlocker limits!  If NO contact has been made, DO NOT proceed and call the Dispatcher at (281) 350-7216.

At the 0.5 Mile Departing Mile Marker

You may not reenter the lift bridge interlocker limits without another job briefing and authority from the Dispatcher.  The UP Train Dispatcher will let you know when the entire tow has cleared the Lift Bridge Interlocker Limits.  Confirmation is required before another tow can be authorized to clear the Lift Bridge. Only one tow will be granted authority to enter the Bridge Interlocker Limits at a time. 

There is no mooring within the 2 mile Lift Bridge Interlocker Zone!

While proceeding downriver (descending) you sight a red diamond-shaped panel with small, red reflector squares in each corner on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers this is a ______.

A: special purpose signal
B: passing daymark
C: crossing daymark
D: cable crossing

While proceeding downriver, you sight a red triangular-shaped daymark on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers this is a ______.

A: special purpose signal
B: passing daymark
C: mark with no lateral significance
D: crossing daymark

The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers for lights on _____________.

A: the right descending bank
B: the left descending bank
C: preferred channel buoys
D: daymarks with no lateral significance

Under the U. S. Aids to Navigation System used on the Western Rivers, aids to navigation lights on the right descending bank show _________.

A: white or green lights
B: white or red lights
C: green lights only
D: white lights only

In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a preferred channel buoy to be left to port while proceeding downstream will ________.

A: have the upper band red
B: show a red or white light if lighted
C: have a characteristic of composite group flashing if lighted
D: All of the above

Victoria's port and canal occupy a unique place in the history of shallow draft transportation. 

In 1905, C.S. E. Holland, President of the Victoria Business Men's Association, called for a meeting of interested parties from Texas and Louisiana. The purpose was to discuss construction of a waterway along their coasts to facilitate the movement of trade goods. This was the birth of what we now know as the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association. 

This is a waterway that stretches from Brownsville, Texas, along a 1,300-mile route to the Apalachee Bay on the Florida coast. A waterway that became part of the 26,000-mile inland network that is the very backbone of the barge distribution system in the United States.

Congress did not authorize the construction of a barge canal ot Victoria, except for the dredging of the Guadalupe River, until 1945. Construction began only in 1954 through Calhoun County and in 1958 in Victoria County. 

The 35-mile Barge Canal from the ICWW to Victoria was completed to a navigable depth of 9 feet and a width of 100 feet in 1968. In 1995, work began to widen and deepen the canal to correspond to the GIWW parameters of 12 feet in depth and 125 feet in width. The last leg of this project was competed in March of 2002.

© 2014 HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.