The one thing that jumped out at me was that she said that Her Husband was working Double Watches due to the other Captain / Mate jumped over to another boat.
So, I have to wonder just how long this was going on and if he was n the Tug that was pushing astern.
The time has come to require a set manning level on all Tugs that are working a 24 hour day. This should be at a Minimum, 1 Captain, 1 Mate, 2 Deckhands and 1 Licensed Engineer.
My thoughts and Prayers are with the Families and Friends of those that are gone. My hope if that their deaths will bring some changes to how these “Un-Inspected” Towing Vessels are manned!
The regulations for licensed manning are already in existence. 46 USC 8104:
(h)On a vessel to which section 8904 of this title applies, an individual licensed to operate a towing vessel may not work for more than 12 hours in a consecutive 24-hour period except in an emergency.
Of course it is up to the individual companies to ensure that this is complied with. If it is not the licensed individuals are put in the uncomfortable position of having to speak up about it.
[QUOTE=Tugs;184448]My hope if that their deaths will bring some changes to how these “Un-Inspected” Towing Vessels are manned![/QUOTE]
While it’s already illegal for deck officers to work over 12 hours per day, maybe subchapter M will require decent manning for all the positions onboard.
Manning requirements are needed for all positions. The CG should require that all personnel blue and brown water be licensed. That there be 3 people for each department. 3 CPT 3 os 3 engineer and 3 cook aboard each vessel at a minimum. So that everyone will work an 8/16 schedule
Sone will say wages would go down. I doubt it the mariners wouldn’t Allow it
How many deaths need to occur
[QUOTE=Bamatug;184489]Manning requirements are needed for all positions. The CG should require that all personnel blue and brown water be licensed. That there be 3 people for each department. 3 CPT 3 os 3 engineer and 3 cook aboard each vessel at a minimum. So that everyone will work an 8/16 schedule
Sone will say wages would go down. I doubt it the mariners wouldn’t Allow it
How many deaths need to occur[/QUOTE]
I don’t see why a tug needs more than six. Three deck officers, an AB, an AB or OS cook, and an engineer. The AB and cook make rounds during their watch to make sure there’s nothing wrong in the ER, everyone works 4 on 8 off.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;184492]I don’t see why a tug needs more than six. Three deck officers, an AB, an AB or OS cook, and an engineer. The AB and cook make rounds during their watch to make sure there’s nothing wrong in the ER, everyone works 4 on 8 off.[/QUOTE]
And if and when a Major repair needs to be done underway, who’s going help? Yes, the cook and DH can hand tools but nothing takes the place of having another engineer to help.
[QUOTE=Bamatug;184489]Manning requirements are needed for all positions. The CG should require that all personnel blue and brown water be licensed. That there be 3 people for each department. 3 CPT 3 os 3 engineer and 3 cook aboard each vessel at a minimum. So that everyone will work an 8/16 schedule
Sone will say wages would go down. I doubt it the mariners wouldn’t Allow it
How many deaths need to occur[/QUOTE]
3 Captains and 3 Cooks?? Sounds like a receipt for a disaster. Too many cooks makes for a mess in the Galley. Too many Captains in the wheelhouse could lead to utter confusion.
I don’t know about US rules, but in the rest of the world you can only have ONE Master on a ship.
(You can have as many “Captains” as you want, I resume, as long as it is a title, not a position)
Where are we going to put all of these extra new people? Are we going to have to start hot bunking? Few tugs are set up to have more than a 4-6 man crew.
all part of the grander scheme. We can never build so many new boats domestically or find the men to man them, so foreigners and foreign yards are the only solution. -John McCain someday
my solution is a regular chief, and q-med who also decks. Available to fix breakdowns and do maintence while not underway, but handle rounds and deckhand duties when underway. Nowadays there’s a small number of boats that really need a guy on deck hours a day. Even harbor tugs go hours at the dock between jobs, plenty of time to pick away at things down below in support of the chief.m
Depending on the work there should be another deckhand or 2 (sand and stone). Depending on the size of the ATB there should be extra tankermen and mates. These should be the minimum manning requirements for tug.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;184486]While it’s already illegal for deck officers to work over 12 hours per day, maybe subchapter M will require decent manning for all the positions onboard.[/QUOTE]
Instead of setting specific manning levels for towing vessels the Coast Guard deferred that task to towing vessel owners and operators. Subchapter M does not specifically address manning levels.
Did anyone expect anything more from the Coast Guard than deference to owner/operators? They remain the “lap dogs” of the owners/operators. The Coasties look for cushy jobs in the towing industry after retirement from the Coast Guard.
As for current regulations and the 12-hour work rule, enforcement of that work/rest rule by the Coast Guard is a joke!
Subchapter M will have a direct impact on the manning. Each vessel will need a COI and in that COI the manning is specific to the nature of the job, Harbor assist, towing, pushing etc. How much the vessel owner or company can push their own desires based on the $$$ part of the business is still unkwon, but at least its a good start for all of us that have to go out there and be under the menace of being replaced if we try to operate in a way that cost more for the owner.
No disrespect to the dead, but it is as I expected. That boat was center punched due to her captains orders.[/QUOTE]
The captain who had gotten off and gotten on another tug also moving the same barge. The Mate was still on watch at the time and he died trying to help the two deckhands out instead of saving himself.
[QUOTE=Tugs;184496]And if and when a Major repair needs to be done underway, who’s going help? Yes, the cook and DH can hand tools but nothing takes the place of having another engineer to help.[/QUOTE]
I haven’t seen tugs carry spare parts of anything “major” so an engineer and an extra guy helping is about all you’d need.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;184558]I haven’t seen tugs carry spare parts of anything “major” so an engineer and an extra guy helping is about all you’d need.[/QUOTE]
Just being curious, what do you class as a Major Repair?
While not really a “Major” Repair, having to swing several Powerpacks (We Carried 4 spares) with the help of a DH (Yes, I have done it) can be done but it’s not much fun. Also on today’s Large ATB’s the Chief is usually responsible for “Repairs” on the Barge. So once again only having ONE Engineer can end up having the CE work well over 12 hours a day.
Having one Engineer on a Harbor boat works out ok but once you start running the coast or further you are pushing your luck!
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;184492]I don’t see why a tug needs more than six. Three deck officers, an AB, an AB or OS cook, and an engineer. The AB and cook make rounds during their watch to make sure there’s nothing wrong in the ER, everyone works 4 on 8 off.[/QUOTE]
Back in the Day, this is about what Crowley had on the Invaders. Three deck officers, two ABs, an OS, a cook and an engineer. Engine room was unmanned from 12 to 8 twice a day, but the engineer had an alarm in his cabin that shared a bulkhead with the engine room. . . In times of emergency repairs, a deck hand or two could be used. I usually pitched in on deck during departures and arrivals to make it easier for the guys to help me if needed. I rarely needed their help, though. Really didn’t need anyone to peek into the engine room off watch, either.
Updated - - -
[QUOTE=Tugs;184559]Just being curious, what do you class as a Major Repair?
While not really a “Major” Repair, having to swing several Powerpacks (We Carried 4 spares) with the help of a DH (Yes, I have done it) can be done but it’s not much fun. Also on today’s Large ATB’s the Chief is usually responsible for “Repairs” on the Barge. So once again only having ONE Engineer can end up having the CE work well over 12 hours a day.
Having one Engineer on a Harbor boat works out ok but once you start running the coast or further you are pushing your luck![/QUOTE]
I will agree about the ATBs. I was lucky enough to have a company that listened to me when I was sailing on an ATB and yes, all of the sudden all of that equipment on the barge (generators, crane, cargo pumps, mooring winches, ballast pumps, etc.) became part of my daily routine. We went from a two engineer boat to a three engineer boat. Pretty sure that the current operators are only using two engineers, though.