always ready always safe • always ready

20 Pages·2016·7.6 MB·English

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Heather Ronek
DENISE IN THE MIDNIGHT SUN
The Denise Foss was photographed in brilliant midnight sunshine while delivering a mobile
drilling rig to the Alaskan North Slope recently. More photos of the job appear on Page 10. Foss Historian Mike Skalley writes about one of the company’s early tows
a holiday greeting:
to the North Slope in a “Look Aft” column on Page 18. More than any 12 months in the recent history of our com-
pany, 2006 was a year in which Foss Maritime moved forward
strategically in all areas of our business.
THE UNIQUE
Strategic Moves in 2006W inter is approaching in Alaska. “We have a lot of darkness and
CHALLENGES OF A In the middle of December, that adds an element of risk that is of
Align Us with This Mission: We believe that new courses charted in our harbor services,
Anchorage will have only four hours concern to everybody,” said Capt. Jim
HARBORP SroEvRidVeI CCEuSs tomers wiotfh d Sayelirgvhit,c aensd that wmona’rti name toruannst ptoo rtationV/along iWstoicrsm aenrd, ospheipraytairodn sli nmeasn oafg beur soinf e ss,
while not without risk, will further the growth and success of
much more than dusk. And the harbor Foss subsidiary Cook Inlet Tug and
OPERATItOhNat aINre TWHitEh out Equal
the company for decades to come. Continued inside
ices up, sometimes forcing the Coast Barge (CITB).
NORTH COUNTRY Guard to close it, though that hasn’t And said George Hembree, who
happened in recent years. assists Van Wormer with tug
(Continued on page 4)
always safe always ready
alway•s ready
The Pressures of Doing Business
In Today’s High-Speed World
Up to the Challenge
Running a year-round harbor services
business while contending with almost
By Gary Faber here is better collaboration
endless darkness in winter, ice and fast-
Senior Vice President between people in those silos.
running currents makes Cook Inlet Tug and
Marine Transportation Engineers are great at
Barge a challenging proposition, not to
managing engineers, but
mention maintaining tugs 8 days from the
We live in an era of instant depending on the project,
nearest shipyard.
gratification. With cell phones, maybe they should be
Cover
your friends and business Gary Faber managing cargo people or
associates expect to be able to vice versa. Or maybe an IT
Ten Safety Rules to Live By
reach you instantly. And when they specialist should be brought in to
Keeping mariners safe is the highest priority
send you an email with a question, be manage a project they wouldn’t in a
of Foss Maritime, and at their recent
it personal or related to a work project, traditional organizational structure.
quarterly safety committee meeting,
they want an answer, right now. Talent sharing among departments
employees of subsidiary Cook Inlet Tug and
This phenomenon has brought enables us to operate with fewer peo-
Barge focused on “Ten Safety Rules to Live
enormous new pressures to those of ple, and many believe that a move in
By,” drawn up by Foss safety specialists.
us in the operating companies. The this direction is strictly for cost
Page 6
game continues to evolve into a more savings. But actually, it’s also a man-
dynamic and time-sensitive one, and agement training and succession tool.
Denise in the Arctic
the stresses and demands of problem By getting involved in projects out-
The Denise Foss was christened in June in
solving have increased ten-fold. Those side their normal area of expertise,
Tacoma and made its first Arctic voyage
stresses are always high when people learn different responsibilities
soon after, delivering a mobile drilling rig
business is good and especially high and become multitalented. They also
from Vancouver, Wash., to the North Slope
when business is slow, as it currently develop a broader understanding of
of Alaska. The Denise is the second of
is in our industry. the business, an understanding they
three Arctic Class tugs being built at Foss
So how can we change our manage- need to have if they want to move up.
Rainier Shipyard.
ment approach to be more efficient When a customer calls and wants
Cover and Pages 10-11
and competitive in this high-speed a contract totally redone in a couple of

business world and at the same time days, even though it took six months
Assembling the Nicole Foss
make solid decisions? First, a bit of to develop it, we need to be flexible,
The third of the three Arctic Class tugs,
background. dynamic and fast if we want to keep
the Nicole Foss, is coming together at
The management structure in the business. More than likely, we’ll
Foss Rainier Shipyard. Photographer
many traditionally run businesses, and have to bring in people from
Craig Alness used a drone to shoot some
certainly in our business, is commonly different departments to deliver a
fabulous photographs of the bow, stern and
a series of silos, each containing timely response.
lower house sections being lifted into place.
people with similar expertise. At an Or if the caller is a potential
Pages 14-15
operating company like ours, for customer and has a question about
example, you generally would have a possible job, it probably will take
project managers with a certain niche. teamwork to deliver a good answer in
Perhaps they would be engineers a timely manner.
To submit articles for Tow Bitts,
please contact Bruce Sherman, editor, managing engineers, or cargo people In both cases if the respondents
[email protected], or Sonja managing cargo people or terminal have worked in this pressure cooker
Baron, coordinator of production, specialists managing terminal people before, they will rise and respond in a
[email protected]. The Tow Bitts graphic
and so on. timely and responsible manner.
designer is Barbara Hoberecht. Tow Bitts
But in today’s high-speed world, a We only get one chance to make a
is published six times a year by Foss
much more dynamic approach would first impression. If the customer can
Maritime for employees, customers and
friends. Changes to the Tow Bitts mailing make us more efficient and able to get their answer somewhere else, they
list should be referred to Rebekah Lay, respond to the requirements of our might not call back.
[phone] or [email protected]. customers more quickly. The key
2 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2016
Foss Partners with Seattle Maritime Academy
The Pressures of Doing Business To Provide State-of-the-Art Training for Mariners
In Today’s High-Speed World
Foss Maritime has entered into a
four-year agreement with the Seattle
Maritime Academy to support its new
training facility, which includes a
state-of-the-art engine room simulator,
a full-mission bridge simulator and
a computer simulation training
laboratory.
Foss’ experienced mariners will
have access to the new simulators,
along with the customized
professional development training
offered by Seattle Maritime Academy,
to support upgrading or renewing A mockup of the simulator at Seattle Maritime Academy.
licensing, and learn new skills.
“At Foss, safety is our top concern,” “We are grateful for Foss’ support increasing demand for skilled
said Scott Merritt, Foss senior vice and participation as we build this new mariners as many of our employees
president. “And when it comes to resource for the community, and are near retirement,” said Darlene
avoiding accidents, there are three looking forward to working with Foss Crowder, Foss vice president of
things that really help: practice, mariners to build their skills,” said Human Resources. “We are excited to
practice, and practice. Having as much Sarah Scherer, Director/Associate have a high quality program here in
time as possible on a simulator is an Dean of Seattle Maritime Academy. Seattle to train the next generation of
excellent way for mariners to build “This partnership is a continuation mariners,”
their skills and confidence in vessel of a strong relationship that also The Seattle Maritime Building 1 is
handling, navigation, and equipment includes successfully placing SMA comprised of 24,000 square feet on
handling,” students with Foss for internships, two floors. An opening ceremony was
The new facility will also prepare where they receive at-sea and real held on October 6, 2016. The building
students new to the industry for world experience, while acquiring the was christened, like a vessel. Foss
maritime careers, with professional/ required sea time to upgrade their and other industry professionals were
technical programs in Maritime credentials,” she said. in attendance.
Engineering Technology and Marine “Foss, like other companies in the
Deck Technology. maritime industry, is experiencing

FOSS RECEIVES 2016 AMERICAN MARITIME SAFETY AWARD
FOR ZERO TOLERANCE DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
American Maritime Safety (AMS) the industry in safety and innovation, 2015, addresses the concerns of opioid
recognized Foss Maritime’s efforts in and we are honored by this recogni- abuse and other addiction issues,
building and maintaining a strong tion of our drug and alcohol policy,” the legalization of marijuana in many
culture of safety by awarding the said Foss President John Parrott. “Our states, and the reasons why a zero-
company the American Maritime Safety primary concern in all that we do is to tolerance stance is essential to the
Award for the implementation and keep our employees, equipment and company’s safety initiatives, and
management of zero-tolerance drug the environments in which we operate in meeting increasing customer
and alcohol policy. safe. We do this with robust safety demands and regulations.
Foss was presented with the award programs and systems, a constant AMS is a non-profit maritime trade
at the 2016 Annual Membership commitment to improving our association that facilitates the mari-
Meeting and Safety Awards Luncheon reporting and methods, and our time industry’s compliance with inter-
on Thursday, October 13. relentless push to zero lives lost.” national shipping protocols and U.S.
“Foss has a long history of leading Foss’ policy, which was updated in Coast Guard regulations.
October, 2016 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 3
THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF A HARBOR SERVICES OPERATION
IN THE NORTH COUNTRY
(Continued from the cover)
maintenance, “The last couple of
years, the ice has been light, but in a
normal year it can scrape 90 percent
of the paint from a hull.”
Ice and near-continuous darkness
are among the unique challenges of
operating a year-round harbor services
business in the North Country. Also,
extreme tidal variation, running up to
35 feet, and the strong currents that go
with it, mean tug operators must be
especially skilled.
And while maintaining the boats in
such conditions is difficult enough by
itself, Anchorage is an eight day run
from the nearest full-service shipyard
(in Seattle), and parts are scarce,
driving higher prices in Anchorage.
CITB operates two ASD tractor
tugs, the Glacier Wind and the Stellar
Wind, which perform ship assists and
ice escorts at the Port of Anchorage.
The biggest customers are Foss sister The tug Stellar Wind pounds through the ice in Cook Inlet.
company TOTE Maritime and Matson.
Both operate containerships between supply vendors, Van Wormer and supply areas fully lit.
Tacoma and Anchorage. Hembree try to anticipate needs Because of the current and ice in
The tidal variation actually has for line and spare parts and buy winter, operators need local knowledge
given way to a creative solution to the proactively, often in Seattle because of and must be extra-skilled in tug
lack of local drydocks. both pricing and availability. positioning. Five knots of current
“We tie the tugs to the seawall, let “And when you turn in a life raft for isn’t unusual.
the water go away, and service them,” inspection here it can take two to three Sometimes in winter, ice builds
Van Wormer said. “We get right down weeks to get it back,” Van Wormer up against the piers. To get the ships
in the mud and might untangle a line said, noting that CITB never operates into their berths, one tug pins the bow
that got caught in a wheel, do a little without proper safety gear on board. to the dock while the other uses its
welding or replace a zinc. It’s not easy, “In Seattle it’s just a few days, so we’ve propeller wash to run along the pier
but it’s all we have. And the window taken to sending them down there on and blow away the ice.
is one tide cycle, ten to twelve hours. the TOTE ships. It’s much faster.” “We deal with these conditions a
That’s a challenge. You’re always In addition to the challenges of lot,” Van Wormer said. “But with our
looking over your shoulder for the operating a tug in constant darkness, skilled team of mariners and great
water to come in.” CITB personnel are extra careful equipment, we provide safe and
With a paucity of local marine about keeping their dock, float and reliable service for our customers.”
“The last couple of years, the ice has been light, but in a normal year
it can scrape 90 percent of the paint from a hull.”
– GEORGE HEMBREE
4 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2016
FOSS PROFILE
THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF A HARBOR SERVICES OPERATION
Cook Inlet Tug and Barge: Serving its Sister Companies
IN THE NORTH COUNTRY
(Continued from the cover)
And Others In Anchorage and the State of Alaska
The Business
Cook Inlet Tug and Barge (CITB),
a wholly owned subsidiary of Foss
Maritime, has three lines of business.
Out of the Port of Anchorage, the
company performs ship assists and
ice escorts with two ice-strengthened
tractor tugs. Primary customers
are TOTE Maritime and Matson,
both of which run containerships to
Anchorage from the Port of Tacoma.
The tugs also assist tankers from
various customers, and during the ice-
free season, barges operated by Alaska
Marine Lines.
In Seward, the company operates Members of the Cook Inlet Tug and Barge management team include, from left Sharm Sutterquist,
a small tug under the Anderson Tug Ben Stevens, Lana Kirikao and Jim Van Wormer.
& Barge (ATB) brand. (The Anderson
family founded and ran the companies State Senate from 2001-2007, rising to horsepower and 3,500 horsepower
until Foss bought CITB in 2010 and become Senate president. He also was respectively.
ATB in 2012.) The tug mainly operates a fishing boat skipper for 17 years and • In Seward is the Junior, 60 feet
as a pilot launch and handles lines for was a tug captain for Kirby for eight long and rated at 1,300 horsepower.
cruise ships. Seward had 66 cruise years. Van Wormer is a 31-year veteran • The fleet serving Delta Western
ship calls between May and September of Foss and spent many years as a includes the Taku Wind, former
of this year. senior captain. He also was marine Jeffrey Foss, 112 feet long and 4,300
CITB began a third and new line transportation operations manager. horsepower, which delivers fuel oil
of business this year, operating the Sutterquist moved to Foss from Delta to DW terminals throughout Alaska
marine assets of a sister company, Western and previously had a career in using the new 71,000 barrel barge
fuel supplier Delta Western. The fuel delivery with Crowley Maritime. Antril S. The tug Chukchi Sea delivers
company delivers fuel from Tacoma Kirikao was part of the Foss-Shell fuel to the Aleutians and Western
to Delta Western terminals in project team and moved to CITB early Alaska on the barge SCT-180, and
Southeast Alaska, the Aleutian Islands this year. the shallow draft tugs Pastolik and
and Western Alaska. CITB also The company has 44 working Frank Moody, built at Foss Rainier
delivers fuel from the terminals to mariners, many with extensive Shipyard in 2011, deliver oil to river
communities in the Aleutians and on experience after coming from Delta communities seasonally with barges
rivers in Western Alaska. Western and other fuel service OB5 and OB6.
providers. “They have up to 23
Management and Marine years of experience,” Stevens said. Business Philosophy
Personnel “They know the terminals and the “Safety is primary in everything
CITB runs a lean management hookup requirements for multi- we do,” Stevens said. “Much of our
team, which includes General product barges.” The harbor services business is with sister companies, and
Manager Ben Stevens, Operations crews also are long on experience we try to show that we can operate
Manager Jim Van Wormer, Sharm in operating in Alaska’s challenging as safely and efficiently as possible.
Sutterquist, who manages the Delta conditions. Our success grows with the success of
Western business, and Office Manager these sister companies, and the same
and Marine Coordinator Lana Kirikao. Equipment goes for our customers Matson and
Stevens is the son of the late U.S. • The Anchorage Harbor tugs are Alaska Marine Lines.”
Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. The the Glacier Wind and Stellar Wind,
younger Stevens served in the Alaska ice-strengthened and rated at 2,200
October, 2016 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 5
The 10 Safety Rules to Live By: Alaskans Hear Safety
Mantras at Regional Committee Meeting
The occasion is the quarterly
Regional Safety Committee meeting
at Cook Inlet Tug and Barge in
Anchorage, and the discussion is
focusing on the Ten Safety Rules to
Live By, drawn up by the Foss Safety
Department based on a four-year
review of incidents.
They are moving around the table,
each employee reading one of the
rules aloud. Present are Operations
Manager Jim Van Wormer, Foss Operations Manager Jim Van Wormer, at the head of the table, discussed maintenance and care of inflatible
Director of Health and Safety Al life vests at the recent quarterly Regional Safety Committee meeting at Cook Inlet Tug and Barge. Others
Rainsberger, Capt. Jordan May, at the table are, clockwise from top right, Capt. Jordan May, Welder/Deckhand Jake Kaufman, Mate Justin
Welder/Deckhand Jake Kaufman, Mate Ryan and Engineering Assistant George Hembree.
Justin Ryan and Engineering Assistant
George Hembree. They are going over and the bight of lines.
the rules for the first time. Van Wormer: “The entire deck of a
Van Wormer and Rainsberger tug is a snap back zone. I personally
added comments when appropriate. know of several disturbing accidents
• I will always start my work with pre- involving snap back. This is very
task planning and a JSA where required. important.”
Rainsberger: “This allows crews to • I will maintain my work area free of
be involved in discussing how the task hazards at all times.
will be performed safely and what to Van Wormer: “One thing I’m
do if the plan needs to be revised.” really proud of at CITB is the level of Mate Justin Ryan learns how to take a life vest
• I will protect myself from falls when cleanliness and stowage. Everything is apart and put it back together.
working above 5 feet. clean and in its place.”
Rainsberger: “While any fall can • I will verify isolation of energy (Lock- use of powder-actuated tools or similar
lead to a serious injury, falls from Out Tag-Out) before work begins. fire-producing operations. Grinding,
greater heights are of the greatest Rainsberger: “Locking and tagging drilling, abrasive blasting, or similar
concern so fall protection measures out energy sources includes electricity, spark-producing operations are also
must be in place at all times.” hydraulics, mechanical, pneumatic, considered hot work except when
• I will not walk under suspended chemical, thermal, and any other such operations are isolated physically
loads. stored energy sources.” from any atmosphere containing more
Rainsberger: “Know your • I will only enter confined spaces than 10 percent of the lower explosive
surroundings and heed to the signals that are certified by a marine chemist or limit of a flammable or combustible
and whistles when materials and shipyard competent person. substance.”
equipment are being transported and Van Wormer: “A confined space • I will use my stop work authority
make sure that they have the right is any place that doesn’t have normal when exposure increases beyond plan.
of way.” ventilation. Rust is one thing that Van Wormer: This can also be
• I will wear approved safety eats oxygen. You open a space up and viewed as a ‘stop work obligation
equipment (PPE) in all required there’s no oxygen, and these spaces or stop work responsibility.’ The
production and work areas. can be very small, small enough for captain doesn’t see everything that’s
Rainsberger: “PPE is at times you to just fit your head in. happening on deck. All mariners
the only line of protection when • I will only work with a valid hot- have the responsibility to let them
engineering and administrative work permit when required. know what’s going on. Regardless of
controls solely cannot always provide Rainsberger: As per OSHA “Hot” the chain of command, you have an
adequate protection.” work means any activity involving obligation to safety.
• I will stay out of the snap-back zone riveting, welding, burning, and the
6 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2016
S A F E T Y C O R N E R | Mitigating Risks we Face Every Day
at Home and at Work
By Al Rainsberger for proper tread and traction, and right it usually means
Director of Health and Safety performing scheduled maintenance. we need to evaluate and
At work there are also risks determine if a risk is present. And if a
Risk — A bad four letter word. regarding the vessels we sail on, the risk is present take the proper steps to
Risk is defined as exposure to the terminals we work in, the shipyards reduce or eliminate the hazard.
chance of injury or loss, a hazard or that we operate and the equipment And if you ever feel that you or
dangerous chance. We all face risk in and tools we use. We can mitigate your co-workers may be in harm’s way
our everyday lives both at work and those risks by assuring that we utilize your “Stop Work Obligation” so
at home. have proper training, recognizing we all are as safe as possible.
At home every time we drive a situational awareness, communication, Working together we can identify
car there are associated risks such proper planning, wearing the risks and go home to our families
as colliding with another car, a flat appropriate personal protective safely each and every day.
tire or an engine fire. We reduce equipment, and following the
those risks by driving the speed limit procedures in our Safety Management
and following traffic lights, wearing Systems.
our seatbelts, inspecting the tires When something does not seem
INSPECTIONS ARE LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Director of Health and Safety Al Rainsbergber recently inspected the gauges on
an above-ground storate tank for used coolants at the Young Brothers Terminal in
Honolulu. Rainsberger periodically coordinates facility inspections and audits for
safety and environmental compliance at all Foss locations, using the inspections as a
teaching tool for everyday employees at the ports. “Every time I audit a facility,” he said,
“there are fewer findings, and the workers learn both what is required and, potentially,
a better way of accomplishing their work tasks.” Young Brothers Vice President Dean
Kapoi said, “The audits are critical for continual improvement in our safety and
environmental programs. Al provides a fresh set of eyes to the process and for that we
have become a better organization.”
SELLING SAFETY
Safety equipment vendors showed off
vests, harnesses, gloves, goggles and
other gear recently at the Foss Industry
Appreciation Barbecue at Terminal 5 in
West Seattle. In addition to enabling the
vendors to promote their brands, their
annual presence at the picnic gives Foss
a chance to demonstrate its commitment
to safety to customers and other guests at
the barbecue.
October, 2016 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 7
Photos: Alex Otero
ON STATION IN NEAH BAY
The tug Marshall Foss, at the pier, has been stationed in Neah Bay in recent months as
the Washington State Emergency Rescue Towing Vessel to assist ships that lose power or otherwise need help off the Washington Coast
or in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Neah Bay is a remote hamlet on the Makah Indian Reservation, in the extreme northwest corner of
Washington. In the photo below left, Capt. Bill Sturgell relaxes outside the pilothouse. Below right, deckhand Paul Haws is at the
controls of the tractor tug.
8 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2016
Rick Wilson
GOODWILL VISIT TO HONOLULU
The Chilean Navy training ship Esmeralda was assisted into its berth
recently at the Port of Honolulu by the Foss tractor tug Mamo. The ship, on a goodwill visit to Hawaii on the way to Tokyo, is a
four-masted barquentine, 371 feet long and with a beam of 43 feet. It flies 21 sails with a total sail area of 30,892 square feet and carries
a crew of 300 plus 90 midshipmen.
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The ferry Susitna was hoisted out of the water by
the heavy lift ship Happy Star and placed on a
barge in late September in Port Angeles, Wash.
The catamaran ferry, which is headed to the
Philippines to serve as a Red Cross mobile clinic,
had been at Foss Shipyard for several months as
part of an engine repowering project.
October, 2016 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 9
ALASKA DRILL RIG DELIVERY
Denise Voyage
to the North Slope
The Denise Foss and cargo barge weather to make sure it
American Trader delivered was a safe voyage for
a mobile drill rig to the North Slope both the cargo and crew,”
of Alaska recently, departing from said Project Manager
Vancouver, Wash., on July 30 and Peter Roney.
Hilcorp photo
arriving at the destination August 27. Other members of the
In the photo at right, the Portland-based shore crew were Marine Transportation Michael Jacques, Wayne Jines and
tug PJ Brix tended the barge during Port Capt. Henry Palmer, Barge Robert Robison and Cook Kyle Jewell.
loading at the Port of Vancouver. The Supervisors William Roy and Jesse The Denise, christened in June, is
other photos show the tug and barge as Richardson, Ballast Specialists Anthony the second of three Arctic Class tugs
they neared the offloading port. Selfa and David Chesnut, and Safety being built at Foss Rainier Shipyard.
The customer was Texas-based Supervisor Randal Lau. Members of the They are ice-strengthened, 132 feet long
Hilcorp, one of the largest oil and tug crew were Capt. Clare Nelson, and pack 7,268 horsepower. Progress
natural gas exploration and production Chief Mate Mark Boehland, Second photos of the third Arctic Class tug
companies in the United States. Mate Albert Ursitti, Chief Engineer appear on pages 14-15.
“As always, our mariners did a Michael Lunetta, Oilers Kenneth
prudent job of constantly watching the Jones and Szablocs Vas, Able Seamen
Photos: Heather Ronek
“As always, our mariners did a prudent job of
constantly watching the weather to make sure it
was a safe voyage for both the cargo and crew.”
– PETE RONEY
10 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2016