TVIB News Industry Press

USCG: Random Drug Testing Rate for Covered Crewmembers for 2020

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12/27/2019 Federal Register

The Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2020 minimum random drug testing rate at 50% of covered crewmembers. The minimum random drug testing rate is effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

The Coast Guard continues a 50% minimum random drug testing rate for 2020 as a result of MIS data for the most recent reporting year which indicated that the positive rate continues to be greater than one percent. 46 CFR 16.230(f)(2) requires the Commandant to set the minimum random drug testing rate at 50% when the positivity rate for drug use is greater than 1 percent.

Marine employers are required by 46 CFR 16.500 to collect and maintain a record of drug testing data for each calendar year, and submit this data to the Coast Guard in a Management Information System (MIS) Report by March 15 of the following year.

Click here to review the full notice published in the Federal Register.

USCG: River Industry Day 2019 – Huntington

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12/17/19 – U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington and the Huntington District Waterways Association hosted their second annual River Industry Day.  CDR Mangini, Commanding Officer of MSU Huntington and Bill Barr, President of the Huntington District Waterways Associated welcomed attendees and then jumped right in to a broad agenda that covered a year in review for the unit, Subchapter M and a COI signing to start the day.

Mr. Geoff Scibek, Chief, Inspections Division for the unit and Ms. Jill Bessetti, District 8 Towing Vessel Coordinator provided an update on the current status of towing vessel inspections and issuance of COIs. Following are some of Subchapter M metrics shared:

MSU Huntington

20182019
Towing Vessel Inspections2370
Deficiencies199214

COI Status

UnitFleet SizeTSMS COIsCG COIsTotal COIs
D83,862736187923
USCG5,7609813721,353

District 8 Sector Breakdown of TSMS Option COIs

C.C.H-GLMRMobileNOLAOHVUMR
13133443226720046

CDR Mangini signed the most recent COI for AEPs fleet and presented to Mike Weisend, Regulatory Manager for AEP.  On hand to mark the event was also Joe Lagerman and Butch Leport with AEP along with Tava Foret and Lauren Jeppson for TVIB.

NTSB: Marine Accident Brief of the Capsizing of the Towboat Miss Roslyn

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The NTSB has published the results of its investigation into the sinking of the ITV Miss Roslyn. Following are the executive summary and probable cause as published on the NTSBs website. Below is a link to download the full report.

Executive Summary
On October 9, 2018, at 1630 local time, the fleet towboat Miss Roslyn was traveling downbound at mile 142 on the Lower Mississippi River near Reserve, Louisiana, when it began to flood and list to starboard. The three crewmembers abandoned the towboat onto a moored fleet barge and a Good Samaritan vessel. The Miss Roslyn capsized and sank on its starboard side. No injuries were reported. There was a visible oil sheen; containment booms and absorbent pads were placed around the vessel. Damages from flooding were estimated at $1,130,000.

Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the capsizing of the Miss Roslyn was the company’s lack of effective hull inspection and maintenance program, which resulted in flooding into a steering void through multiple wastage holes in the hull.

Click here to download the NTSB Marine Accident Brief for the Capsizing of the Towboat Miss Roslyn.