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One Hand" means more than just holding on.
The old seamen's adage, "One hand for yourself, and one hand for the ship" has plenty of wisdom in it. In the deep sea world, a rolling ship is an unsteady platform from which to work. The seaman must always be aware of the unstable conditions and act accordingly. Part of his efforts can be directed to completing a job, and part of his efforts must be directed to keeping himself safe by holding on. How does this old adage work in the towboat world? We do not regularly roll in heavy seas; the towboat platform is generally stable. Seas may wash over the bow of a loaded tow when in Mississippi Sounds, but they are generally localized to that area.
Though our working environment may not be as dramatic as the deep sea environment, "One hand for yourself" still applies.
When we use the term "One Hand" let us set it in a broader context. "One Hand" should be defined of as the part of your thought process that is directed to keeping yourself safe. Self-protection in a working environment must go much further than just hanging on. "One Hand" thinking is how you can protect yourself from an injury or incident.
Slips, trips and fall are a major source of injury in our industry. "One Hand" in this context means building a hazard awareness as you go about your day. Watch were you step; look for overhead hazards; monitor your environment. It is a continual process of thinking, planning and awareness of your surrounding throughout the job you are doing and throughout the day. Just as we use our arms and legs to hold on, we use our mind to assess danger and adjust accordingly.
To go a step further, making a risk assessment before undertaking a task brings you closer to the spirit of "One Hand". The job hazard analysis that you do before you begin a job, even if only informal, should sharpen your awareness of possible hazards you could encounter once on deck, in the engine room, etc.
"One Hand" means taking 'seaman-like measures' to ensure your own safety and the safety of others for example by: cleaning up spills as soon as they occur; properly stowing wires and cables; not leaving stores and equipment lying around the decks; using proper PPE whenever anticipating the need; ensuring a new employee understands all the vessel's important safety features and his specific safety duties onboard. This list can be extensive and should cover every activity on the boat.
So take time to perform "One Hand" thinking before you start your next project or task.
Take time to plan out each task you have ahead. Communicate all aspects of your plan to the others involved:
Case in Point: A tankerman decided to service one of the generators without communicating his intentions to the wheelman on watch. During that time the tow was transiting a critical bridge when the running generator starts to act up.
Inspect your work area before starting a project or task:
Case in Point: A tankerman received a laceration on his head when an unsecured aluminum step ladder sitting on the deck above blew over the rail and hit him. He was washing the main deck at the time. A thorough of inspection of the area before starting the wash down could have brought up concerns of the unsecured ladder above, especially on a windy day.
Take time to understand all the safety concerns of the product, tools, power sources, etc. that you intend to use. Read and understand Material Safety Data Sheets, instruction manuals and other safety information sources for proper use:
Let's use "One Hand" thinking to protect yourself and the crew that you work with throughout the day.
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EMPLOYEE ASSITANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
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Focus on You: Magellan Health Services
Thinking healthy thoughts is an important part of your overall health. Studies show a strong connection between mind and body. Keeping a positive outlook on life can actually help you stay well or overcome illness.
Higman offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Magellan Healthcare that is free of charge for all employees. The EAP can help with personal or job stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, parenting, alcohol and drugs, legal issues and financial concerns.
Magellan is committed to providing useful tools and resources to help make the most of your day or guide you through a difficult time. If you have a problem or concern you can't get off your mind, visit www.MagellanHealth.com/member for quick, easy access to information, resources and self-help tools. You can browse the site as a guest or choose to register.
If you prefer, call the toll-free number, 1-800-523-5668, to speak to a trained, compassionate professional. The counselor is familiar with your program and will help you get services you need.
All information you provide, whether through the website or a phone call, is always kept confidential.
Counseling
Your program includes up to three free counseling sessions for you and your eligible dependents or household members. This includes unlimited critical incident stress management.
Legal & Financial
You are offered quick, confidential help with these services. Experts are available to answer any questions you have, or you may access the online library instead.
Health & Wellness
The program makes it easy to bring healthy habits into your busy life. You can set daily goals and track progress online via mobile app and through use of fitness trackers. You can even get help and motivation from health coaches.
Special Discounts through LifeMart
Save up to 40% on products and services with easy search tools and discount codes for family entertainment, travel, hotels, car rental, home products, electronics, auto, grocery coupons, theme parks nationwide including SeaWorld and Six Flags, local movie theaters, and much more.
Use the website to check or call Magellan soon to check out these discounts for you and your family.
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HEAT & HYDRATION - TAKE PRECAUTIONS!
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Summer's warmer temperatures and longer days provide more opportunities to be outside enjoying ourselves and working at our jobs. As temperatures soar and humidity rises, you hear weather reports talk about the heat index. The heat index tells the temperature your body feels when the true air temperature is combined with relative humidity. For example, if the outside air temperature is 90º F, and the humidity is 70 %, then it feels like 105 º F. If you're in direct sunlight the heat index can be as much as 15 degrees higher than the true air temperature.
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Heat stress is the overall term for dangerous conditions that occur when the body has difficulty cooling itself to maintain a healthy core temperature. The combination of summer heat and humidity makes it harder for your body to cool itself. As a result, your body's internal temperature will rise, and heat-related illnesses may result. Older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to develop problems, but it is possible for anyone to have a heat-related illness.
There are three main classes of heat stress disorders.
Stage 1. HEAT CRAMPS are the first stage of heat-related illness and include painful, severe muscle spasms.
For most people these are the initial warning signs that the heat is beginning to affect you. You may have muscle cramps in your stomach, arms or legs. You may notice swelling in your hands, feet, legs and ankles. Another early warning sign may be dizziness. If you notice these early signs of heat illness, quickly get out of the heat and into a cooler area.
Helpful steps to take:
- Stop any physical activity and move to a cooler, shady area.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.
- Put your legs up if you notice swelling or feel dizzy.
- If necessary, others may need to move you to a cooler area and help you begin the re-hydration process by having you slowly drink cool liquids.
Stage 2. HEAT EXHAUSTION is an advanced stage of heat illness where the body has trouble cooling itself.
This may occur due to excessive water and salt depletion from failure to replenish fluids lost in perspiration. Symptoms can include sweaty flushed cool skin, as well as weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache and possibly vomiting. Heat exhaustion victims should be placed in a cool place as soon as possible. Loosen clothes and applying cool compresses, slowly reintroducing fluids and watching for symptoms of shock. After these measures, if the victim does not feel better soon, seek emergency medical care.
Stage 3. HEAT STROKE - This is the life-threatening collapse of the body's thermal regulatory system where it can no longer cool itself. Treat this emergency by calling 911 or other emergency medical services.
Body temperatures rise to critical levels and brain damage or death may occur. This can happen in only 10-15 minutes. Immediately, move the victim to a cool area while waiting for help to arrive. Use cool water to soak clothes and body while fanning the person. Give small amounts of cool liquids ONLY if the victim is fully conscious, alert and capable of swallowing without choking. Symptoms of HEAT STROKE include: - Loss of ability to sweat
- Hot, dry red skin
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
- Possible convulsions
Remember, if you see the signs of a heat stroke, this is a life-threatening emergency. Anyone with these symptoms requires immediate medical assistance. Call 9-1-1 and start cooling the person until help arrives.
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ROSE POINT TIP OF THE WEEK
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Line up your passing arrangements
In a congested waterway, you may have to make several passing arrangements in a row with the tows coming toward you. Rose Point ECS has a simple way of keeping track of the arrangements you have made by using the passing predictor. The passing predictor line can be changed to either red (one whistle) or green (two whistle) to help you remember what arrangement was made. To change color of the passing predictor: - Right click on the passing predictor line of the vessel you have made arrangements with.
- Click on "Pass with target on the Port side"....turns line red.
- Click on "Pass with target on the Starboard side".....turns line green.
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AIR COMPRESSOR SAFETY
Air compressors are an important component of every vessel in our fleet, responsible for providing air to two or more critical systems, throttles, sound signals and vessels equipped with a retractable mast.
Failure to maintain this system could result in loss of control, inability to alert nearby vessels in the event of an emergency and inability to lower the mast when traversing structures with low clearance, possibly causing damage to equipment and/or injury to individuals. While there's no way to prevent moisture from entering your compressor, you can remove most of it. Any time there is a change in pressure or temperature, there will be a change in moisture. Heat generated during the compression process allows water to remain in a vapor state, but only temporarily. Compressed air will move through the circuit until it reaches the aftercooler, where it meets colder temperatures, and returns to its liquid state. In effect, the aftercooler "wrings" moisture from the air, while water collects in the bottom of the air receiver. Water accumulated in the air receiver, in the engine throttle water-trap located beneath the dashboard or inside space beneath the wheelhouse should be drained once daily as required by company policy, or more frequently if necessary. In time, because of pressure, water vapor condenses and water accumulates inside the tank, causing it to rust. A rusty tank poses a significant risk since it is more likely to cause an explosion. This puts you and people around you in danger. Be sure to drain the tank at least once daily using the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. If the compressor is equipped with an electric (automatic) drain valve, ensure the valve is functions properly by periodically manually opening the drain valve. If the tank contains an excessive amount of water, report it immediately in the Vessel Maintenance Needs report.
Pneumatic tools require high-pressure air to operate properly. Safety valves are placed at certain points on the air compressor for a reason - to keep the operator safe. Never paint, adjust, modify, remove or bypass any safety/relief valves! Important things to remember about using pneumatic tools Regardless what tool you're using, proper PPE is a must! Eye and hearing protection should be worn every time a crewman is working with a pneumatic tool and when starting an engine equipped with a pneumatic starter. Ensure all air hose connections are secure, especially crows foot connections. For safety, use a safety locking pin at every connection! If an air hose or connection fails, and is whipping around, don't take chances. Shut off the air supply before approaching the area.
If you plan to install, remove or adjust any pneumatic tool, first turn off the air supply, bleed air pressure, and then disconnect the air supply hose. This is also important if you're planning to perform maintenance on the tool. Never exceed the maximum rated pressure for the tool. Doing so may result in a hazardous situation. Always refer to the manufacturer's specification for that particular tool and set the air regulator accordingly. Always keep hands, loose clothing and hair away from the working end of a pneumatic tool.
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USCG RULES OF THE ROAD QUESTIONS
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INLAND ONLY.....You are approaching a sharp bend in a river. You have sounded a prolonged blast and it has been answered by a vessel on the other side of the bend. Which statement is TRUE?
a. Both vessels must exchange passing signals when in sight and passing within one-half mile of each other.
b. No further whistle signals are necessary.
c. The vessel downriver must stop her engines and navigate with caution.
d. Both vessels must immediately sound passing signals whether or not they are in sight of each other.
INLAND ONLY.....A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Western Rivers (above the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River) shall exhibit __________.
a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
c. sidelights and two towing lights
d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light
INLAND ONLY.....Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?
a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
INLAND ONLY.....You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your first whistle signal should be __________.
a. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
b. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
c. one short blast
d. two short blasts
INLAND ONLY.....What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?
a. One short blast
b. Three short blasts
c. One prolonged blast
d. Three prolonged blasts
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D-Day at Omaha Beach -- World War II
Omaha Beach was the second beach from the west among the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion of World War II. It was assaulted on June 6, 1944 (D-Day of the invasion) by units of the U.S. 29th and 1st infantry divisions, many of whose soldiers drowned during the approach from ships offshore or were killed by defending fire from German troops placed on heights surrounding the beach. Omaha beach was the largest of the assault areas, stretching 10 miles that were littered with German defenses. The waters and beach were heavily mined and there were 13 strong points called Widerstandsnester ("resistance nests"). Numerous other fighting positions dotted the area, supported by an extensive trench system.
From the beginning everything went wrong at Omaha. Special "DD" tanks (amphibious Sherman tanks fitted with flotation screens) that were supposed to support the 116th Regiment sank in the choppy waters of the Channel. Only 2 of the 29 launched made it to the beach. With the exception of Company A, no unit of the 116th landed where it was planned. Throughout the landing, German gunners poured deadly fire into the ranks of the invading Americans. Bodies lay on the beach or floated in the water. Men sought refuge behind beach obstacles, pondering the deadly sprint across the beach to the seawall, which offered some safety at the base of the cliff. By nightfall, the 1st and 29th divisions held positions around Vierville, Saint-Laurent, and Colleville -- nowhere near the planned objectives, but they had a toehold. The Americans suffered 2,400 casualties at Omaha on June 6, but by the end of the day they had landed 34,000 troops. The German 352nd Division lost 20 percent of its strength, with 1,200 casualties, but it had no reserves coming to continue the fight.
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Good lookin' group for simulator class March 2016
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Sixth Session
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| Complete | Seventh Session
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| Complete | Eighth Session
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| Complete | Ninth Session
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| Complete | Tenth Session
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| May 31
| Eleventh Session
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| June 21
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First Session
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| April 20-21
| Second Session
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| May 2-3
| Third Session
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| May 11-12
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HIGMAN
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LEADERSHIP
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First Session
| October 10-11 | |
Second Session
| October 20-21 | |
Third Session
| October 31- Nov 1 |
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First Session
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| Complete | |
Second Session
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| April 28-29 | |
Third Session
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| July 21-22 | |
Fourth Session
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| October 3-4 |
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First Session
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| Complete | |
Second Session
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| Complete | |
Third Session
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| Complete | | Fourth Session |
| July 18-20 | | Fifth Session |
| August 1-3 | | Sixth Session |
| September 12-14 | | Seventh Session |
| Oct 31- Nov 2 |
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To schedule training please email Janis or Austin.
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Make sure crewmembers have access to the Training Newsletter
- Print a copy of each issue for the crew.
- You may join our mailing list by clicking below:
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Higman CBT Certificates earned year to date: 1520
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Answer to this weeks Nav Gen: A, C, B, D, C
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Sincerely,
GORDIE KEENAN
JANIS ANDERSON
DENNIS ZINK
AUSTIN ZODY
© 2016 HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.
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