18MAY2018

Location: Gulf of Mexico due south of Mobile, AL en route to Corpus Christi, TX;

Events: The 1st watch was finishing acid washing the back section of the Barge, stowing the pressure washing equipment via the crane to the upper area of the pump room housing, and assisting the lead tankerman in repairing a damaged exhaust vent cowl. The 2^nd watch began with the lead tankerman and I discharging fuel from the barge to the boat (apx. 18,000 gal) for about 3 ½ hours and finished with an assessment of some new LED lights and how to properly install them.

Things learned about vessel/barge: We have an upcoming ABS inspection in Corpus Christi, TX. Of the 3 sulfur barges in the company, this is the only one currently operating and the ABS inspection is to grant a 6-month extension to the current inspection instead of going to dry dock.

Classroom information application(s): Ballasting weight distribution, fuel volumes

Supplemental Information: Today has been a fairly easy day, light work interspersed with downtime. Got to know the lead tankerman more during the 2^nd watch, he’s from Ghana originally and immigrated to Massachusetts in 2002. He’s been working for Martin for 11 years and on this boat for 2 years.

Rules of the Road Scenarios? During the 2^nd watch, while heading on a WNW course there appeared to be a rig on the horizon off the port quarter. It quickly became apparent that it was actually a cruise ship making speed inbound for Galveston. While monitoring the fuel transfer I observed the captain on the chart table plotting tracklines and CPAs. It was clearing the cruise ship was going to pass behind us, and at her closest point she was well over a mile away.