TVIB News News and Updates

TVIB Presenting at Marine Log’s Tugs, Towboats & Barges Conference – Sub M, Beyond COI: What Next?

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I will be moderating a panel discussion at Marine Log’s Tugs, Towboats & Barges conference on March 8th in Mobile, AL. Come out to see this panel and many more.

Following is a repost from an article Marine Log published on February 6th, 2023

Sub M, Beyond COI: What Next?

TTB 2023 has a lineup of engaging presentations from industry leaders discussing advancements in technology and design, as well as methods of meeting environmental and economic goals

On March 8, a panel of owners, operators and third-party organizations will discuss crucial aspects of Subchapter M and the Certificate of Inspection (COI) process.

Talking points will include Certificate of Inspection renewal, new construction, incident reporting, the drydock credit process, the submission of internal survey reports to the U.S. Coast Guard, buying/selling/leasing vessels, and more. The group will also discuss lessons learned as they went or continue to go through the process.

Panelists include Tava Foret of the Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau; Sean Reilly from Southern Towing; Brian Khey of Marquette Transportation; Mark McManus, Lebeouf Bros. Towing; Jason Soutiere, ABS; and Robert Keister from Sabine Surveyors.

Join us for this discussion and so much more at TTB 2023. Remember, discounted registration rates end February 17!
 

USCG POLICY ALERT: Revision CVC-WI-010 (CH 3) OCMI Guidance on Special Consideration for 46 CFR Subchapter M Vessels

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02/07/2023

CVC-WI-010(3) OCMI Guidance on Special Consideration for 46 CFR Subchapter M Vessels has been revised to add guidance on the use of alternative visual distress signals (eVDSD) and the use of alternative line throwing appliances. The new guidance on VDS applies to vessels that operate on the following: Rivers routes, Lakes, Bays and Sounds, Great Lakes or Coastwise.

Click here to access the revised work instruction.

Welcome New TVIB Staff

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Please join the rest of the staff and me in welcoming two new members to the TVIB team. Lori Gibson and Emily Hinojosa started with us just after the new year and work in our main office in the Houston area. They hit the ground running in their new positions as we recently held our first TVIB Talks of 2023 and are feverishly preparing for the upcoming Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification Course (DD/ISE) course, February 15-17. They have quickly become an asset and we are happy to have them on our team.

Lori Gibson has joined us as Training Coordinator.  In her role, Lori will lead the development of training opportunities for staff, TVIB members, and members of the public using learning tools such as online and traditional classroom training, webinars, podcasts, and a cloud-based learning management system (LMS). She will be collaborating with subject matter experts such as staff, our members, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel on the development of program materials. Lori will be working with the newly formed Professional Standards Committee (PSC) to develop the tools necessary to assess auditor and surveyor performance and develop curriculum to meet their needs.

Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in English from the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona and brings 20 years of classroom experience with her. She has served as a master teacher to novice teachers and provided instructional support, classroom management, and engagement strategies to educators. Lori has facilitated and taught adult training and workshops. She considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys reading and learning about the newest research in best practices in instruction and technology integration.

Lori is married with two daughters and lives in a suburb of Houston. She is an animal lover and self-professed “cat lady.” Lori enjoys spending time with her family and dining out. In her free time, she likes to read, take walks, and binge watch her favorite shows or a good movie.

Emily Hinojosa has joined us as Training/Office Administrator. Emily will be coordinating our auditor and surveyor certification programs. She will manage all training and event coordination and registrations as well as conference/exhibit coordination. Emily brings with her an eye for design and will be spearheading our marketing efforts to advertise our training opportunities, strengthen our online presence using our website and social media channels, grow our FAQ page, and prepare print collateral.

Emily has worked primarily in retail management, most recently with The Home Depot, where she held roles in everything from Operations to Specialty Department Head. She has also worked in administrative roles in the construction, communications, and healthcare industries.

Emily was born in California but was a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana until she moved to Texas in 2016. She and her husband Johnny and son Myles Luka, along with their American bulldog Mack, live in a suburb of Houston where they recently purchased their first home. In her free time, she enjoys painting, volunteering at local shelters, cooking and baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Yes, Emily and Lori are both native Californians but as the saying goes “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.”

If you haven’t had the pleasure of speaking with them yet, please be sure to welcome them both when you get a chance, you will find their contact information on the Our Staff page on our website.

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: