Keystone Shipping Co.

On January 22, 2016 the U.S.

Transportation Secretary

Anthony Foxx announced that

the DOT had awarded contracts

for the management,

maintenance, and operation of

the 48 vessels which belong to

the National Defense Reserve

Fleet (NDRF).

Keystone received the largest

number of contracts at eleven

vessels which take part in the

DOT’s Ready Reserve Force.

Contacts were extended for our

Cape R vessels in Portsmouth,

VA and for the Cape K vessels

in New Orleans, LA.

The Cape D’s are our newest

addition to our MARAD fleet

and include the CAPE

DECISION, DOMINGO,

DOUGLAS, DIAMOND,

DUCATO, and you can’t forget

the one E, our CAPE EDMONT!

Keystone proudly

welcomes the newest

addition to our family,

the Cape D’s positioned

in Charleston,

South Carolina!

Issue 97

Spr ing 2016

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Keystone Fleet Seminar 1

NDRF Contract 1

Shipyard Safety 2,3

Near Miss Highlight 3

Extreme Heat 4

First Through the Locks

5

Making Sailors out of Soldiers

5

Keystone Spotlight 6

SAFETY L INE

2016 K E Y S TO N E F L E E T SE M I NA R

This February Keystone traveled

to Traverse City, Michigan for our

annual Keystone Fleet Seminar

from February 29th through

March 4th. With attendees

ranging from our Key Lakes,

tanker, and MARAD fleets we

had a great cross section of

talent. Everyone was actively

engaged and participated in a

variety of discussions.

Our main focus this year was

Keystone’s Safety Culture. We

had numerous discussions on

how the office and ships can

work together in order to

improve our already high

standards. On the ships you will

likely see some of these

discussion points rolling out

soon!

We not only talked about safety,

but looked at new projects that

are in the works such as the

MUNSON repowering and the

rolling out of DocMap.

We want to thank our guest

speakers for taking the time

to join us, even our own

Captain Rick Jordan gave a

detailed yet entertaining

presentation for us!

K E Y S T O N E A W A R D E D NDRF C O N T R A C T S

President Don Kurz addressing the fleet at Keystone’s Opening Dinner for the 2016 Fleet Seminar on February 29, 2016.

We collected feedback while we

were on site, but if you have

ideas for what you would like to

see please let us know!

CAPE DIAMOND in Charleston, SC

With multiple vessels

having gone on drydock

and still more to go, it is

important to be mindful

of additional operations

that will be taking place

and the added

precautions necessary to

stay safe.

During dry dock many

different operations are

occurring at the same

time. Heavy rigging is

taking place beside hot-

work, sandblasting, and

installation of delicate

instruments or cabinetry.

There are not only the

crew to be mindful of, but

also there will be

subcontractors on board.

All of this additional

activity leads to an

increase in the potential

for injuries. It is important

to take the time to plan

work activities at the

beginning of each project

in order to ensure safe

work habits are being

followed.

The shipyard is a busy

place to work in every day;

so make your personal

safety and that of your

shipmates a priority in

everything you do!

Page 2

S O W H A T I S T H E H A Z A R D ?

SH I P YA RD SA F E T Y

I N S I D E S T O R Y H E A D L I N E

Cleaning - often requires

scraping, pumping, or gas

freeing (removing liquid

residues) that can take

place in spaces containing

flammable or combustible

liquids, gases, toxic or corro-

sive materials. Prepare each

job by removing liquid resi-

dues, securing piping and

pumping systems, and de-

termining ventilation needs.

Scaffolds, Ladders, and

Access - before working

with or around ensure that

equipment is safely secured

and supported, that they

are level, safe access is

provided, adequately

decked and guard rails are

in place.

Fire Protection – make

sure fire safety plans are

compatible with shipyard

and all employees on

board are aware of the

safety plan including

subcontractors and

shipyard staff.

Surface Prep - includes

removal of old paint, oil,

scale, or rust where toxic

Let us work our way around the

vessel in order to observe a

number of safe work habits to

keep in mind for the dry-dock.

PPE - PPE should be a part of

every job! Make sure you are

choosing the safe and

appropriate choices for you

and your crewmembers.

Confined Space Entry -

Always look for posted

Marine Chemist Certificate or

the Shipyard Safety Officer

for an inspection form before

entering a space.

“We wish to salute again in 2015 the extra

safety efforts of our Shipyard Repair Superintendents, Masters, Chief

Engineers, and Roving Safety Officers. Your hard work and safety vigilance paid off with

stellar results. Well done!”

-Capt. Tim O’Connor

Issue 97

USNS OBREGON at Drydock in

Philadelphia Ship Repair—January 2016

Safety Line

cleaning solvents, chemical

removers, mechanical

removers or flammable and

combustible liquids may be

used. Make sure proper

materials are used.

Painting – paints and other

preservative coatings contain

many toxic and flammable

materials such as hydrocar-

bon solvents, and epoxy res-

ins. Take measures to pre-

vent toxic inhalation, skin

absorption, and for possible

fire and explosion hazards.

Machinery & Piping Systems -

be aware of other projects

taking place in boilers, piping

systems, propulsion

machinery, and deck machinery

as injuries can occur due to

unanticipated machinery move-

ment or release of materials.

General Working Conditions –

housekeeping, lighting, slips,

trips and falls, working alone,

safety color codes for physical

hazards and many other general

safety rules must be maintained

while in the yard to prevent

accidents.

Electrical – potential for

electrical shock hazard is greater

during ship repairs due to

temporary power cords and weld-

ing leads. Make sure before

working energized equipment is

guarded, deenergized, and ap-

propriate PPE is used to prevent

electrocution, burns

or electrical shocks.

Hot Work - weld-

ing, cutting, burning,

abrasive blasting,

and other heat

producing

operations are all

considered hot work

and increases the

risk of fire and

explosion hazards.

Always maintain a

fire extinguisher or

water hose near hot

work activities as

part of the firewatch.

Tools and Materials Han-

dling - improper use and

lack of maintenance can

result in worker injuries.

Know what you are

doing and do it safely!

Please remember that

all crewmembers have

the ―stop work‖

authority if something

looks unsafe to them;

so use it!

Smoking Transformer

Incident: When crewmember

connected an appliance in his

stateroom to a 220V-110V

transformer, the transformer

became hot and started

smoking.

Facts:

The transformer was newly

installed in the room and

had been found in the

Electrical Shop.

When the transformer was

Near Miss Reports provide useful issues to discuss and consider as you go about your tasks aboard our

vessels and ashore. With our new Safety Line format the office is going to choose one or two near

misses as appropriate to share with the entire fleet as our featured highlight.

Keep sending in your near misses and maybe yours will appear in the next issue!

opened and inspected a

loose wire was discovered.

Root Cause: The newly installed

transformer was likely there for

repair. Inadequate segregation

and labeling of equipment is a

safety hazard especially when

new crew members come

onboard.

Lessons Learned:

Ensure oversight that work

areas are organized and

labeled to ensure not

using faulty equipment

Page 3

N E A R M I S S H I G H L I G H T

S.S. DENEBOLA as she departs Boston Ship Repair - December 18, 2015

that is in for repair.

Test equipment with

unknown history prior to

installation.

When using new equipment

have someone present in

order to ensure it is

properly working.

This is a lesson for everyone to

one make sure faulty goods are

properly stowed or thrown out

and two to make sure new crew

members know their work areas

for theirs and others safety.

Seakay Spirit in Drydock in Freeport, Grand Bahamas—Jan.2016

Make sure to test

equipment with unknown

history for your

and your crew

members’ safety!

Engineering and Administrative Controls

Frequent water breaks

First aid training for heat stroke or heat

exhaustion

Additional salt in diet

Buddy observation system

Storage lockers for flammables

Ventilation fans

1 Bala Plaza East

Suite 600

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Heat stroke is a true

emergency! Signs and

symptoms include high

body temperature,

unconsciousness, hot

skin, rapid pulse and

breathing, weakness,

dizziness, and headache.

Immediate first aid is

required. Move the victim

to a cool place and

immediately cool the

worker by any available

means; use ice and water from a

job site cooler for example. Keep

the head and shoulders slightly

elevated and make sure to

monitor the airflow of the victim

to ensure they are breathing.

Prevention of heat illness is very

important. Gradual adaptation to

working in hot weather is a start.

As the weather heats up take a

few short breaks during the day

and if possible schedule heavy

work that has to be accomplished

Summer is almost here so it is

time to start thinking about the

three kinds of heat related

illnesses. Heat cramps, heat

exhaustion, and heat strokes are

all possible during hot weather. All

heat related injuries need prompt

medical attention!

Heat cramps are muscle cramps

usually occurring in the arms or

legs, but also may be in the

abdominal or chest muscles.

Heat exhaustion signs include

heavy sweating weakness, fast

pulse, normal body temperature,

headache, dizziness, nausea, and

vomiting. First aid for heat

exhaustion requires the worker to

be moved to a cool place. Keep

them lying down with their legs

straight and elevated 8 to 12

inches. Apply cold packs, wet

towels, or just wet their clothing in

order to cool them down.

during cooler periods of the day.

Dress sensibly and drink plenty of

water! Keep a sharp eye out for

potential heat injuries in cowork-

ers as well. Practice prevention!!

It is the name of the game and

will keep you from becoming a

victim of a heat related illness.

Remember, these are serious

medical emergencies. Call for

professional help onboard the

vessel immediately!

TEL : 610-617-6800

Potential Hazards

Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke

Dehydration

Sunburn

Eye injury from ultraviolet radiation

Exploding pressurized containers

Hot metal decks, handrails, ladders,

machinery guards, etc.

If you have any suggestions

or comments please submit

them to Capt. T. O’Connor

toconnor@keyship.com

Page 4 Safety Line

Keystone Shipping Co.

O P E R A T I N G I N E X T R E M E H E A T

Personal Protective Equipment

Work clothing that provides protection

against hot surfaces and sunburn

Eye protection with shaded lenses

Be aware that this can happen at

home as well as on the vessel!

How to Use the Heat Index

Across top locate predicted high temperature

Down the left side locate predicted humidity

Follow across and down to find the apparent temperature or

―What it feels like today‖

Heat Index of 90—100: Sun stroke, heat cramps, and heat

exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and physical

activity.

Heat Index of 105—129: Sun stroke, heat cramps, and heat

exhaustion likely. Heat stroke possibility with prolonged exposure

and physical activity.

Heat Index of 130 or higher: Heat stroke or sun stroke imminent.

H E A T S T R O K E , E X H A U S T I O N , A N D C R A M P S

Congratulations to

all that helped in

this achievement!

It’s spring at the Soo; despite the frigid

temperatures and snow when our vessels

went through the Locks this year!

March 25, 2016 the new shipping season for

the Great Lakes kicked off with the opening of

the Soo Locks. Both our vessels the Edwin H.

Gott and the Roger Blough were the first ships

through the locks this season. The Roger

Blough was upbound in ballast heading to

load up and the Gott was downbound.

Raymond Bell, president of the Soo Locks

Visitor's Center Association took a ride through

the locks with Captain Tim Alfson on the Gott

Safety Line Page 5

F I R S T T H R O U G H T H E L O C K S !

and a ceremony was held onboard the

Roger Blough on Thursday afternoon with

Captain Mark Blatnik.

This is the third consecutive year that the

Key Lakes Fleet has had a vessel open the

Soo Locks. Not only is it our fleets third

time, but this is the second year in a row

that it was both the Gott and Blough!

The opening of the Locks is like the

opening day of baseball up on the Lakes

and we are so proud of our vessels for

holding onto that record. Captain Tim Alfson on the Edwin H. Gott

Roger Blough was the first upbound vessel through

the Soo Locks 2016

Edwin H. Gott was the first downbound vessel

through the Soo Locks 2016

M A K I N G S A I L O R S O U T O F S O L D I E R S O N T H E U S NS PL E S S

Embarked soldiers & marines going through Safety Orientation drill en-route. All were assigned to the USNS Maj Stephen Pless, in support of operation Pacific Pathways 2016. Exercises supported with strategic U.S. allies include: Cobra Gold (Thailand), Foal Eagle (Korea), & Balikatan, the Tagalog word for “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” (Philippines).

"We strived to offer all MILDET to participate in various training modules onboard and en-route to destination ports of call so as to show them what routine shipboard life is all about. These included Marine Safety, Marine Fire Fighting, and basic Navigation training. Those participating took a keen interest in all, adding something to their daily routine onboard in a positive way." -Captain Brian Patten, USNS Maj. Stephen W. Pless

K e y s t o n e S n a p s h o ts

OBREGON in Drydock with 3rd AE Jacob

Brohawn, 3 AE Robert Bohovsky, and

engine cadet Heather Lade Shoreside staff participating in a tabletop emergency

drill exercise at our Pennsylvania office

Capt. Mark Blatnik

on the ROGER

BLOUGH

If you have any photos you would like to share

please send them in!

SEAKAY SPIRIT coming out of Drydock Port Engineer Robert Hodgdon, Capt. Adam Blackwell,

Program Manager Andy Hake, and Port Captain David Carroll

at annual seminar in Traverse City, Michigan

Capt. Rick Jordan presenting at the annual seminar

Mate Don Parker, 2nd AE Bryan Kwiatkowski,

& Ch Engineer Steve Thompson at annual seminar

Page 6 Safety Line