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Representing Higman Outside the Workplace
Image is important!
The company you work for invests in you, and whether or not you are on the job, you always represent who you work for. People outside the company often make the connection between you and your employer and at that point they have certain expectations. They can even form opinions about the company in general based upon your own personal actions.
Therefore, it is important to always act as if your boss is nearby. This includes times you are in a company vehicle, aboard a company vessel, attending school or another training function, or any other event, just as it does while you are actually working on company time. Even if you are not on company time or in a company uniform, you should still consider what your boss and others would think of your actions.
As a representative of Higman, if you create a negative feeling with another company or with a customer, business relations can be harmed, and you could ultimately end up hurting yourself and your position.
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Captain Lannie Scott ("Coon") of M/V Calcasieu and
Captain James Shankle of M/V Bolivar Point look sharp
at the 2015 Wheelman's Seminar
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Here are common situations you should be mindful of, with tips to successfully uphold the standards of your company:
Driving a company vehicle - Be courteous and carefully respect and obey all road and traffic laws. Eliminate all distractions!
Attending company schools or events - Be on time or arrive early, prepared for busi- ness and interactions with others. Be mindful and careful of the way you dress and behave as you represent the company.
Social media - Websites may say they are private, but chances are they are not as private as you think. If the company name is displayed on a public page, your posts, pictures and behavior will likely be associated, too. Refrain from being negative about your job or employer and from posting inappropriate photos or comments for the worldwide community to see.
The Flip Side - Just as easily as you can make a negative impression, you can also form a positive one. Not long ago some of our employees stepped in together to help a person in need. They went the extra mile to provide assistance, and this good deed received a heartfelt thank you that made its way all the way back to one of our vice-presidents as well as their Port Captains. The person who received the help from our employees had these words to say: "Please pass on my thanks to their bosses. I was most impressed. But, based on what I know about Higman, I was not surprised!"
The Bottom Line - If you've made blunders in the workplace, don't despair. Sooner or later everyone makes mistakes. The most important thing you can do is learn from your errors. Make up your mind to avoid doing anything at work that you'd feel uncomfortable doing in front of your boss or anyone else within the company. Since there's always a chance that word will work its way through the grapevine, and your boss or others will find out, it's important to do your best to maintain proper behavior and follow company guidelines, both those that are written and those that are unspoken.
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Tom Peyton, Barge Maintenance Administrator at the Channelview Office, and Amy Kappes, Compliance & Vetting Manger at the Houston Office, looking really fine and ready to conduct business at the Wheelman's Seminar
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What is a Flange Gasket?
Flange gaskets are used to create a static seal between two flanges faces, at various operating conditions, with varied pressures and temperatures. A gasket fills the spaces and irregularities of the flange faces, and then it forms a seal that is designed to keep liquids and gases from escaping. Correct installation of damage-free gaskets, being certain to use damage-free flange faces, is a requirement for a leak-free flange connection.
It's important to remember that Higman SMS company policy, section C.2.20.0, page 6, paragraph b states that a new gasket is required to be used every time a connection is made.
The types of gaskets normally encountered in our industry are sheet gaskets (fiber) and spiral wound gaskets (metal).
Sheet gaskets are simple; they are cut to size either with bolt holes, or without holes, for standard sizes with various thicknesses, and of material suitable to the media and temperature pressure of the pipeline.
Spiral wound gaskets are also used in high pressure pipelines and are made with stainless steel outer and inner rings and a center filled with spirally-wound stainless steel tape wound together with graphite and PTFE, formed in a V shape. Internal pressure acts upon the faces of the V, forcing the gasket to seal against the flange faces.
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Attitude
A good positive attitude can change the way you approach life.
The below short story illustrates this.
A few years ago, there was a wildlife organization out west that offered a bounty of $5000 for wolves captured alive. Two friends, Sam and Jed, decided to make their fortune.
Day and night they scoured the mountains and forests looking for their valuable prey. Exhausted after their search they talked about their dream of riches and quickly fell asleep.
Suddenly, Sam woke up startled, as he saw they were surrounded by a large pack of wolves with black eyes and bared teeth. Low growls came rumbling from their throats.
Sam slowly reached over and gently shook his friend and said, "Wake up Jed; we're rich!"
You see Sam had a positive attitude. What kind of attitude do you have?
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401K Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is the only time to sign up or change your 401k percentage.
Enrollment
If you are not a member of the company sponsored 401K, now is the time to join. To be eligible to enroll an employee must have reached their six month anniversary by July 1, 2015 and be at least 19. To enroll please obtain a 401k packet from the Peninsula Office. You may also rollover previous employer's 401k at this time.
Changing Contribution Percentage
If you would like to change the percentage you contribute the forms, are available at the Peninsula office or on Higmanboats.com. The first form "401K Catch up Contribution form" is available for those who turn 50 this year, or are already 50 who would like to contribute extra. The second form "401K Contribution Change" is to change the percent you contribute (increase or decrease). The maximum employee contribution is $18,000. The maximum catch up contribution is $6000. This means if you are over 50 you may contribute the $18,000 plus $6,000 totaling $24,000. Do not use the Principal website to change your contribution.
All forms need to be returned to the Peninsula office by June 20th. You may submit these forms via email to marykayc@higman.com starting now until June 20th.
You may access your 401K account information on Principal's Website. To register your account on Principal's website you will need your social security number and the plan account. The plan account is: 434764. Or you can call 1-800-547-7754.
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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 for that reason, becomes 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. in each issue we aim to outline a "Best Practice" sent in by the fleet. Share your Best Practice by sending them to Gordie.
This week's "Best Practice" is from the M/V San Marcos:
Due to recent events Captain James Wiley has decided to implement a "Quick Spill Kit" to be positioned at each fuel station on the boat, as well as behind each drip pan on the barge. These kits contain approximately 3 gallons of stay dry, 10 spill pads, a pair of rubber gloves, and a pair of goggles.
The thought is that they will be positioned at the most likely areas for a spill to occur. Not for clean-up per se, but to try and slow down the spread of a spill. The contents might be used to block the spill or aim the flow. Hopefully this can prevent product entering the water. The large kits stand ready and are great, however they are typically taped shut, and the stay dry material is at the bottom. These kits are smaller, portable and there are only 4 items to maintain. After an incident, the materials can go right back in the bucket for easy disposal.
He ordered the buckets from the warehouse in Channelview as White PPE buckets and his crew stenciled them.
Big thanks to Captain James Wiley and his crew for coming up with such a great idea and implementing it on his boats and barges. Its ideas like this that help encourage safe practices around our company.
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2016 Calendar Contest
One Little Extra Note
Please be sure that your photos are taken in landscape mode so that they fit well on a calendar page layout. If they are taken in portrait mode, they do not work well for the calendar pages.
To submit pictures for consideration, please click here to email Janis or Kelly.
Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2015. All pictures will be voted upon by the Peninsula Office and the top 13 photos will be published in the 2016 calendar.
Thank you for participating!
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Rose Point Tip of the Week
Saving a Rose Point voyage recorder file to a travel drive.
Occasionally it is important to send ashore a voyage recording file that has been saved on your Rose Point Computer. Rose Point has a powerful voyage recorder that automatically saves all navigation data received from your instruments plus the AIS data received from other vessels. This data is stored for 30 days before being over-written by new data.
To save a Voyage recording to a travel drive:
Open Rose Pint and place it in "Planning Mode". →shortcut: push the "F12" key if in "Cruising Mode"
- In the top bar, left click on "Ship's Log"
- On the left side, left click on "Voyage Recordings"
In the bar on top of the recording list, left click on "Show Files"
- A new window will open which will have a list by date and time of the voyage recordings.
- Find the file based on date and time listed in the "Date Modified" column.
- Need 12 hours before and 12 hours after incident.....may be a few files to cover that time stretch.
Place a travel drive in one of the spare USB ports on the back of the Rose Point Computer.
- A new window will open that says "Removable Disk" .
- Left click on "Open Folder to view Files". This will show you what is on the travel drive....should be empty.
- Go back to the voyage recording list and find the first file you want to copy to the travel drive.
- Left click on the first file and hold the button down. Drag the file into the Travel drive box.
- The file will then be copied to the travel drive.
- Repeat with any other files needed to be copied.
- Remove the travel drive, add a tag and send to the office.
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Radar Terms to Get You through the Watch, Part 2.
Going beyond Gain, Sea Clutter and Rain...Echo Stretch. Beyond the basic tuning of your radar with gain, sea clutter and rain controls, there are other fine controls that modulate the return to give the best picture. During the next few weeks we will discuss some of these lesser known setting and will look at how to adjust them for the best return.
Echo Stretch or ES
On long ranges target echoes tend to shrink in the bearing direction, making them difficult to see. These are due to the inherent property of the radiation pattern of the antenna.
The Echo Stretch feature enlarges targets in the range and bearing directions to make them easier to see, and it is available on any range. There are three types of echo stretch on the radars typically found on Higman boats: 1,2 and 3 (FURUNO 2127) and Low, Medium, High (FURUNO 1964).
FURUNO 2127:
With the Radar transmitting,
- left click on the ES box at the upper left side of the screen to select an IR level.
- Scroll through the choices of......OFF (lowest), 1, 2 and 3 (highest) to get the best picture.
FURUNO 1964:
With the Radar transmitting, if not displayed,
- Press the HIDE/SHOW key to show the radar soft keys.
- Press......A. SIGNAL PROC. soft key
- Press.....A. ES. Soft key.
- Keep pressing the soft key to scroll through "Off", "LOW, "MED", "HIGH" until you get the best picture.
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Voids Under Pressure
Be aware of pressure build up when inspecting voids.
Take precautions when opening covers to tanks, and other confined or enclosed spaces, in the event the space is under pressure or hazardous materials have leaked from internal piping systems. - OSHA
It's summer time again and it's  getting hot out there.
Boats pushing barges without void vents need to be aware that the summer heat may cause the voids to build up pressure. If pressure has been building up in a void and is not opened properly it could cause the pressure to release rapidly and blow the hatch open explosively. When this does happen it could result in bodily harm or a man over board situation.
To avoid the pressure being released all at once there are some steps you may take.
When walking onto a barge, identify if there are vents near the void hatches. These vents are to help prevent pressure build up in the voids. If a vent is not present proceed with caution.
When opening your void hatch be sure you are facing the water. Never put your back to the water.
To open the hatch safely, slowly undo the back two dogs facing the barge box. Next you'll undo the front two dogs slowly to release pressure from the void if present.
Be sure all the pressure is released, and then you are safe to take the dogs all the way off. Do not kick off the dogs. Stay clear of the hatch to avoid an incident if it were to swing open explosively.
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Eat This - Not That
Healthier Choices with Flavor and Nutrition
Shown below are a few lighter, more healthful options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The healthier meals are lower in calories, yet high in nutrition, so they can still leave you feeling satisfied after a meal. A good rule of thumb for weight loss is to reduce your daily caloric intake by 500 calories. The lighter options below, and others similar to them, would help reduce calories to aid weight loss, or help monitor daily caloric intake to maintain proper weight.
On the other hand, eating the full portions at each meal of the higher calorie meals could result in too many calories for the FDA's recommended daily dietary guidelines. The FDA's total daily recommendation is 1500-1800 calories for women and 2000-2200 for men. This recommendation can vary based on age, gender, and body frame. Another factor would be if a person has an active or sedenary lifestyle.
It's Your Choice!
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BREAKFAST
Eggs, Toast, Sausage = 300 calories
1 egg, 2 egg whites, scrambled
2 slices of light bread, buttered
2 veggie sausage links
1 sliced strawberry
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BREAKFAST
Only 1/3 IHOP Big Steak Omelet = 300 calories
(Entire portion = 915 calories, 72 g fat, 14 g carbs)
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LUNCH
Tomato Soup & Sandwich = 350 calories
3 oz. deli turkey breast
Lettuce, onion, tomato and mustard
2 slices light bread
1 cup tomato soup
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LUNCH
Only 1/3 Panera Turkey Sandwich with Potato Soup = 350 calories
(Entire portion = 1370 calories, 77 g fat, 119 g carbs)
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DINNER
Frozen Turkey Meal = 400 calories
Lean Cuisine Roasted Turkey Tenderloins
1 cup green beans
1 whole wheat dinner roll
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DINNER
Only 1/3 Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie = 400 calories
(Entire portion = 1060 calories, 62 g fat, 96 g carbs)
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Winners
How winners think.
Winners take chances like everyone else; they fear failing, but they refuse to let fear control them.
Winners don't give up. When life gets rough, they hang in until the going gets better.
Winners are flexible. They realize there is more than one way and are willing to try other options.
Winners know they are not perfect. They respect their weaknesses while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall but they don't stay down. They stubbornly refuse to let a fall keep them from climbing.
Winners don't blame fate for their failures, nor luck for their successes.
Winners accept responsibility for their lives.
Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things. From the ordinary, they make the extraordinary.
Winners believe in the path they have chosen even when it is hard, and when others can't see where they are going.
Winners are patient. They know a goal is only as worthy as the effort required to achieve it.
Winners are people that believe in themselves. Are you a winner?
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New Interns Onboard
New Deckhands on the water!
We recently completed a deckhand orientation class with our new San Jacinto College Maritime Program Interns. They will be spending the summer on our boats learning the duties and responsibilities of a deckhand and boat crewmember. Welcome aboard to all!
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Nav Zone: High Water on the West End
All the rain we have experienced this spring has resulted in high rivers states. This seems to be affecting the ICW from Colorado Locks to Mementau River. We have particular concern for Brazos Flood Gates.
From Robert Page, the Brazos River Lockmaster:
River speeds may reach up to 6 mph. Restrictions are in place.
Mariners should use extreme caution if considering crossing the Brazos River with currents at that speed. Mariners who choose not to cross should consider holding up at a location far east or west of the floodgates to avoid congesting the area. Colorado Locks are under the following restrictions: Tows are restricted to one loaded barge or two empty barges at a time to transit the Locks. East Bound tows will use the South moorings and West Bound tows will use the North Moorings.
 Due to the greater than normal hazard the Company is recommending the following: -
Push the rake end first (load or empties)
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If traveling:
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West bound, it is recommended to keep barges in a "piggy back' configuration until Colorado Locks are cleared
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East bound, the same is recommended. There is enough room to place the tow in "unit" configuration east of
Brazos.
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The most experienced wheelman must carry out the task of making Brazos and Colorado during the heavy current and rising water situations. If the wheelman feel this is not necessary, they must consult with their port captain prior to attempting this task.
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If the lock gets to a critical stage and is asking for someone to attempt a maneuver prior to allowing all boats to conduct the same maneuver, permission MUST be given by the Port Captain. AKA being a Guiena Pig.
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Always follow the "GO-NO GO" matrix posted in the wheelhouse. If you have concerns about attempting a critical task that contains high risk, consult with your Port Captain.
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No matter the river stages, we must always follow our procedure of "Tripping Colorado and Brazos Locks"
Remember heavy rains funneling down the waterways will results in a lot of debris. Be aware of additional hazards. Do not let your guard down. If you have any doubt, contact your Port Captain or your Dispatcher. Rules of the Road Questions
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.
a. south (180°)
b. east (090°)
c. northeast (045°)
d. west (270°)
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.
a. turning to port
b. turning to starboard
c. decreasing speed
d. increasing speed
 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "B" and crossing a narrow channel. Vessel "A", who can only navigate within the channel, is on your port bow and crossing as shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 40 )
a. Maintain course and speed as the ship is on your port bow.
b. Give way to the other vessel.
c. Increase speed and cross his bow.
d. Sound the danger signal.
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?
a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The word "vessel", in the Rules, includes __________.
a. a barge permanently affixed to the shore
b. nondisplacement craft
c. a drilling unit attached to the Outer Continental Shelf
d. All of the above
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Nautical Trivia
Tuesday, February 8th, 1941. Pan-American Refining Co. Dock Fire and Rescue in Texas City!
Get an online subscription to the archive of the Galveston Daily News, throw in a few key words with a range of dates and you will find all kinds of interesting articles. The archive of this paper goes back to the year 1845.
This news article is about a dock fire in Texas City and involves the Pan-American ship the Pan-Massachusetts, and a Higman Towing Co. tug the M/V Lutcher Brown in 1941.
Texas City, Tx, Feb. 17.- A raging fire at the Pan-American Refining Co. dock punctuated by two sharp explosions which rocked the Texas City water front. This claimed a toll of one dead and 17 injured here today after endangering a tanker loaded with 107,000 barrels of gasoline.
The tanker, Pan-Massachusetts, was tied up at the dock preparing to set sail later that day when the fire broke out on the dock sending flames shooting toward the ship. The article states that upon initial investigation they believed it was either a cigarette being tossed or wire rigging between the ship and dock which sparked, thus causing a wooden dock pylon to catch fire. The wind had whipped the fire up causing it to spread to a disconnected large hose used to transfer gasoline from tank to ship. This resulted in an initial explosion because the hose had been previously been used and there was a presence of residual gasoline.
Then as the article states- A major blast occurred when the blaze spread to other hoses containing gasoline with a mixture of air. The explosion rocked the area and shook windows through-out the city. Flames and smoke rolled skyward in billows. An eyewitness in the distance described it as a "mighty puff" as if a huge version of an old fashion photographers flash gun.
Most of crew members were sleeping and when alerted by active duty crew, leapt from the ship to the water where rescue operations were performed. The only casualty came from a crew member climbing down a rope, hand over hand, and lost his grip falling into the water where he drowned.
While the fire was at its height tugs were able to pull away the Pan-Massachusetts from the dock and to the middle of the channel to avert disaster. The Tugs that assisted in the plucking of the Pan-Massachusetts, is one of the interesting highlights. They are the Launch piloted by Mate John Bailey, and one of our very own Higman Towing Co. tugs the M/V Lutcher Brown manned by Capt. Herman Lowman. Later after the fires had been handled the Pan-Massachusetts was brought back to the dock.
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Fun Facts
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Stern Shots
Paul "PJ" Kyles of M/V Karl G Andren explains safe operation
of a barge winch to our new interns
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M/V Palacios looking great after a hard night of rain
on the Houston Ship Channel
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Kelly Cleaver, Training Coordinator at the Channelview office,
sponsors the new M/V Texian at the Christening May 18, 2015
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Dates to Remember
2015 - 2016 Tankermen Seminars
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First Session
| July 16 | | Second Session | August 25 | |
Third Session
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September 10
| | Fourth Session | October 1 | | Fifth Session | November 5 | | Sixth Session | January 26 | | Seventh Session | February 11 | | Eighth Session | March 1 | | Ninth Session | April 21 | | Tenth Session | May 12 | | Eleventh Session | June 21 |
2015 Advanced Pilothouse Management/Simulator at SCI
| Second Session | Jun 1-3 | | Third Session | Jun 15-17 | | Fourth Session | Jul 20-22 | | Fifth Session | Aug 10-12 | | Sixth Session | Sep 21-23 |
2015 Steersman Bootcamp
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| | Third Session | Jul 23-24 | | Fourth Session | Nov 2-3 |
To schedule training please email Kelly or Janis - or call Janis at 281-864-6010.
CBT Certificates earned by Higman employees to date during 2015: 1920
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 (left side near top) to get your own copy!
Answers to this weeks Rules of the Road: A,A,B,C,B
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Have a great and safe week!
Sincerely, Gordie, Kelly, Janis,Dennis and Austin
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GORDIE KEENAN
KELLY CLEAVER
JANIS ANDERSON
DENNIS ZINK
AUSTIN ZODY
© 2015 HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.
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