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A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BOAT'S AIR CONDITIONING
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Keeping your cool in the coming months
Stopping trouble before IT begins is always a great strategy especially when working on the water, often times away from immediate repair help. With outdoor temperatures soon to rise into the mid-90's, it is best to make sure the air-conditioning system on your boat is up to the task.
First, let's look at the typical air-conditioning system found on a Higman boat.
A typical air-conditioning system has two distinct parts, the condenser section and the evaporator section. On most Higman boats they are paired together; the condenser is on the top and the evaporator serves as the base. Some Higman boats have the condenser and the evaporator located in separate locations. In this type, the evaporator is located usually located under the pilot house.
The Condenser
On our vessels, the condenser is normally located on deck just below the pilot house, forward of the stacks. It contains a compressor, tubes connected to cooling fins and a fan. Inside the tubes is a refrigerant that circulates through the outside unit to the inside unit and back again as part of the cooling cycle.
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Condenser section on top
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The refrigerant arrives at the compressor as a cool, low-pressure gas. The molecules of the refrigerant gas are squeezed together in the compressor process. The closer the molecules are together, the higher its energy and its temperature. The refrigerant leaves the compressor as a hot, high pressure gas and then flows into the cooling fins.
As the fan moves the outside air across the cooling fins, the high pressure, high temperature gas is condensed into a liquid and the heat is transferred to the outside air. The cooled refrigerant liquid then moves by a pipeline into the house and into the inside unit.
The Evaporator
Sitting below the condenser is the evaporator. This part of the unit contains an expansion valve, evaporator coils and an air mover connected to duct work which directs the conditioned air to and from the house. The refrigerant, as a liquid, flows from the top-mounted condenser unit to the expansion valve. On the way through the valve, the liquid's pressure drops. When it does it begins to evaporate into a gas.
This evaporating liquid flows into the evaporator coils where it makes the full transition back into a gas. The heat needed to make the transition is extracted from the inside air flowing over the evaporator coils. This air is moved by the blower fan, taking warm air from inside the house through ducts and passing over the evaporator coils.
Moisture from the interior air condenses on the cool evaporator coils and drains out of the system through a tube to the outside. Simple, right?
To keep it running smoothly, however, there are a few maintenance items to complete on a regular basis.
Condenser section maintenance:
Clean the exterior cooling fins on the condenser unit on a regular basis. Soot from the generators and main engine exhaust stacks can be sucked into the coils and impede the cooling process. As the soot builds up, the internal refrigerant temperature and pressure remain high, making the compressor work harder. Watch for mayfly hatches. A build-up of mayflies on the cooling fins on a hot summer's night can overwhelm the process.
To clean the coils:
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Electrical shut-offs
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Step 1: Turn off the power. Local electrical power to the condenser unit is typically found close to the unit. If uncertain, turn off the power to the air conditioning system at the main electrical panel in the engine room.
Step 2: Use warehouse-supplied coil cleaner and follow the directions on the container. Be especially aware of personal protective equipment required. Typically, eye protection and rubber gloves are required. Because the cooling fins are delicate, rinse off with minimal water pressure so as not to distort the fins. Remove the hose nozzle and stream water gently onto the fins.
"Koil Foam" is available to order for cleaning cooling fins. Spray on the accessible fins and rinse off with low pressure water. PRECAUTIONS: Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Step 3: Turn power back on.
Note: Do not stand on the condenser units. They are not designed to hold your weight and you may damage cooling fins underneath the cover.
Evaporator Unit Maintenance:
Your main task here is making sure the inlet air filters are clean. A dirty filter can slow the flow of air into the system and decrease your cooling potential. Typically the washable, reusable air filters found in the galley and on the second deck should be thoroughly cleaned once during every crew rotation.
Condensate drain: Condensate dripping from the evaporator coils must have a
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Find the condensate drain lines on your boat
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way to drain. Make sure the condensate drain is free to have liquid flow through it. A buildup of condensation in the evaporator coil pan can interfere with heat transfer to the coils. If the drain line gets plugged, use a garden hose to flush out the drain line through the vent. A cup of vinegar directly poured into the vent line once a month can keep bacteria and algae from building up.
A small amount of maintenance goes a long way to keep your air conditioning system operating efficiently. If you have questions on how your system works, check with Chuck Harrison in the Peninsula office. Chuck is certified in HVAC and certainly knows a thing or two about A/C units.
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UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION ON HIGMANBOATS.COM
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NEW! Personal Information Link
There is a new form on Higmanboats.com for you, yourself, to access and update personal information for your address, email, phone numbers and emergency contact. There is no longer any need to contact the office. Just follow the simple procedure explained below.
An important reminder: Please provide a working, current email address. If you do not have one, now is the time to get one! This is an important way for you to communicate with the office and for them to communicate with you.
Also, so callers can leave messages for you, now is the time to set up voicemail on your phone(s) if you do not have it yet. This is another important, necessary way for you to receive communication from the office, as well as from friends and family. For various reasons, we all know no one can answer their phone each time it rings. But, everyone can listen to a voice message and/or return a phone call.
We urge everyone to take a few minutes to log in and review their personal information. Make sure it's correct and up-to-date. Make changes as needed; if there are no changes to be made, you may cancel after your review.
How to access the "New! Personal Information Link"
2. Go to the Personnel section at the top
3. Click on Office Forms
4. You will see "Personal Information Form NEW!" at the top - click here
5. Enter your Employee ID. For password, enter the last four digits of your Social Security number.
6. This will open a form with fields for you to update any information
7. For changes, click Submit. If no changes, click Cancel.
8. That's it! You're done!
Thank you for your assistance in using this new procedure to update your personal information. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
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Good communication skills are key to success in life, work and relationships. Without effective communication, a message can turn into error, misunderstanding, frustration, or even disaster by being misinterpreted or poorly delivered.
Communication is the process by which we exchange information between individuals or groups of people. It is a process where we try as clearly and accurately as we can, to convey our thoughts, intentions and objectives.
Communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information. In today's highly informational and technological environment it has become increasingly important to have good communication skills.
While many individuals still continue to struggle, the inability to communicate effectively will hold them back not only in their careers, but in social and personal relationships.
The steps for acquiring good communication skills:
- Know what you want to say and why. Understand clearly the purpose and intent of your message. Know to whom you are communicating and why. Consider any barriers you may encounter such as cultural differences or situational circumstances (gender, age, or economic biases). Ask yourself what outcome you want to achieve and the impression you want to leave.
- How will you say it? We're all aware by now, that it's not always what you say, but how you say it that counts. Begin by making eye contact. You inspire trust and confidence when you look a person in the eyes when you speak. Second, be aware of your body language since it can say as much, or more, than your words. By standing with arms easily at your side you tell others that you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say. If instead, your arms are crossed and shoulders hunched, it suggests disinterest or unwillingness to communicate. Good posture and an approachable stance help make even difficult communication flow more smoothly. Make sure you speak in a cooperative, non-adversarial tone. Be nonjudgmental.
- Listen. Communication is a two way street. After you've said what you have to say, stop, listen, and look for feedback and clues of comprehension. While the person is responding avoid any impulses to cut them off or listen only for the end of the sentence so that you can blurt out more ideas or thoughts that come to your mind. Respectfully give them your full attention. When they are finished, to ensure that your message has been clearly and correctly understood, ask open questions and encourage discussion. Fine-tune your message if necessary.
Once you have had the opportunity to discuss your reach agreement message and the feedback to it, re-visit the purpose of the interchange. Once you have had the opportunity to discuss your reach agreement message and the feedback to it, re-visit the purpose of the interchange. Have you reached common ground, solved a problem, or clarified your position? If the purpose was to teach or instruct, have you accomplished your goal?
To communicate well is to understand and be understood. Make sure that your message has been received as intended and that any questions or concerns have been alleviated. You can even agree to disagree. There are no guarantees that your communication efforts will be meet with total compliance and agreement. As long as you understand each other, are cordial and respectful, you can still have a successful exchange.
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10 THINGS THAT REQUIRE ZERO TALENT
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M/V HIGMAN LEADER taking spray, by Capt Mike Maneely
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What is Your Grade?
These 10 qualities do not require any special talent or training. To the best of our ability, we can all live up to these ideals.
Strive to be deliberate about your actions and habits. Work on those areas you need to improve. Before long, you may earn A+ in all 10 areas.
10 Things That Require Zero Talent
1. Being on Time
2. Good Work Ethic
3. Extra Effort
4. Really Listening
5. Energy for the Task at Hand
6. Positive Attitude
7. Passion about What You're Doing
8. Being Coachable
9. Doing More Than Expected
10. Being Prepared
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Professional Mariners Must Use Caution when Interacting with Recreational Vessels
As the summer wind comes blowing in, many mariners are painfully aware that the routes they normally travel will be filled with all types of recreational craft.
From sailboats and private fishing boats to speedboats and jet skis, some of the busiest rivers, lakes, bays and harbors in and around Texas and Louisiana become extremely crowded with pleasure craft who may or may not be familiar with the Rules of the Road when it comes to encounters with commercial vessels.
The bottom line is there's no avoiding the heavy recreational vessel traffic over the summer months. Just remember that when there are encounters between a Higman vessel and pleasure craft, the U.S.C.G. license holder will be held to a higher standard of care, so it's always prudent for all professional mariners to proceed with caution.
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Wheelhouse watch while standing-by
Back in April, one of our vessels discovered some damage to the headlog shown in the picture below. It's unclear how the damage occurred because this was old damage based on rust coverage. This barge however stands by in a fleet where barges are in and out frequently.
When vessels are in and out of the fleet it is imperative that we have a set of eyes on these movements so we can post a lookout on the barges. When movements are made we need to look these barges over thoroughly for damage.
Before departing any fleet you need to look your barges over and notify the fleet of any damage sustained after your arrival in the fleet.
Let's refocus and do things the "Higman Way" every time. Go over this with the guys both on and off the vessel when they return. Be safe out there!
Port Captain Buddy Merritt
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USCG RULES OF THE ROAD QUESTIONS
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BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow. You should __________.
a. stop your engines
b. sound the danger signal at two-minute intervals
c. hold course and speed until the other vessel is sighted
d. take avoiding action as soon as possible
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....Which statement is TRUE concerning a towing vessel which, due to the nature of her work, is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?
a. By day, she shall carry a black cylinder shape.
b. By day, she shall carry two black balls in a vertical line.
c. By night, she would show the same lights as a vessel not under command.
d. By day, she would show the same shapes as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.
a. under sail
b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
c. crossing a channel
d. All of the above
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....Which vessels shall turn off their sidelights?
a. All vessels that are not under command
b. All fishing vessels that are not making way
c. All sailing vessels which are becalmed
d. All vessels engaged in underwater operations
BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....Which vessel is the stand-on vessel when two vessels crossing in fog are NOT in sight of one another?
a. The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side
b. The vessel which has the other on her own port side
c. The one which hears the other's fog signal first
d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
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USS Iowa
The Iowa class battleship is the last lead ship of any class of United States battleships and was the only ship of her class to have served in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. She has a length of 887 feet, draft of 37 feet, and max width of 108 feet.
During World War II, she carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to Mers El Kebir, Algeria, en route to a crucial 1943 meeting in Tehran with Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Britain and Josef Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union. To accommodate Mr. Roosevelt the ship had a bathtub and an elevator installed.
Iowa sailed on 19 March 1945 for Okinawa, arriving on 15 April to relieve her sister ship New Jersey. From 24 April, Iowa supported carrier operations which aimed to establish and maintain air superiority for ground forces during their struggle for the island. She then supported air strikes off southern Kyushu from 25 May to 13 June. Afterward, she sailed toward northern Honshu and Hokkaido, and participated in strikes on the Japanese home islands on 14-15 July by bombarding Muroran, Hokkaido, destroying steel mills and other targets. The city of Hitachi on Honshu was shelled beginning the night of 17 July and lasting to 18 July. On 29 and 30 July, Iowa trained her guns on Kahoolawe for a bombardment and continued to support fast carrier strikes until the cessation of hostilities on 15 August as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After WWII she participated in the Korean War. Soon thereafter the USS Iowa was mothballed and deactivated, reactivation came some 20 years later to participate in NATO drills during the Cold War. Her final journey came in 2012 when she sailed to Los Angeles to become permanently anchored as a museum.
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Rob Smith with Shell presents Captain Michael Maneely the Shell Goal Zero Hero award
for M/V Higman Mariner
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Congratulations to all the Chairman Award recipients
at the Wheelman Seminar May 13
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Pilot AJ Rodriguez of M/V Point Mallard and Relief Captain Joe Mickey of M/V Calcasieu made their grand appearance for Casino Night!
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Capt. Roy Cormier of M/V High Island blows on the dice for good luck while Relief Capt. "Bubba" Bogs assesses the situation
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| Connie enjoyed a fun time at the seminar with her husband,
Captain Terry Busby, of M/V Sabine Pass |
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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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| Complete | Second Session
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| Complete
| Third Session
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| Complete
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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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| Complete | |
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: 1884
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Answer to this weeks Nav Gen: D, D, B, B, D
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Sincerely,
GORDIE KEENAN
JANIS ANDERSON
DENNIS ZINK
AUSTIN ZODY
© 2016 HIGMAN MARINE SERVICES, Inc.
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