APRIL - JUNE 2015

THE

MARTINMARINER
Keeping HSSEQT First, Our License to Operate

GETTING TO KNOW

RICK FREED
VICE PRESIDENT

FIND THE ANCHOR!

Hidden in this newsletter is a tiny anchor
that looks like the one above. If you find
it, email joel.burdeaux@martinmlp.com
by April 30th to be entered in a $25 gift
card drawing.
Martin vessel employees only, please.

Cover Story

Getting to Know Rick Freed, Vice President

by Joel Burdeaux, HSSEQT Creative Associate

I sat down with Vice President Rick

Freed on the morning of January
21. We met in his office and it was
apparent just how busy he is. Our
meeting was punctuated with four
phone calls and three visits, shattering
the stereotype of the vice president in
a dark, smoky boardroom, handing
down decisions like some medieval
king. Conversely, Rick is a hands-on
vice president who has worked hard
to get to where he is, and he shows no
signs of slowing down.
Martin Mariner Walk us through
a snapshot of your career leading up
to you becoming vice president of
Martin Marine.
Rick Freed My first
job was actually as
a supervisor at
an Amusement
Park, so my
supervisory role
started young. I
was only 18, but I
was supervising
and

PAGE 2

managing a bunch of college kids

and twenty-somethings. After that, I
joined the Coast Guard since that was
something I had always wanted to do.
I joined in October of 1984 and spent
23 years fulfilling various roles from
marine inspections and investigations,
to afloat on ships and boats as deck
officer and engineering officer. I also
did search and rescue, which was very
rewarding. After 23 years I decided
to retire, but I didnt know what I
would do afterward. This, I think, is
common in the military. Ive spent
23 years doing this, so what do I do
now? I started putting out feelers,
and I heard that Ed Grimm was
looking for an operations manager
for Martin Marine in Mobile, which
sounded perfect since I was currently
living in Mobile. I got the job and
then spent four and a half years in
Mobile as vessel operations manager
for the Eastern Division (boats that
crew-change out of Mobile). I quickly
saw the Eastern Division boats as
an opportunity for me to learn the
marine business. Then the general
manager of operations in the La Porte
office left the company, and I was
asked to take over his role. I accepted
and moved here in the fall of 2011.
I served in that role until November
2014, when Ed Grimm pursued
another opportunity, and I was
offered the role of vice president. So,
here we are. I couldnt have done what

Ive done in my career without solid

mentors in my life. Everyone should
find someone that they look up to and
learn from them.
MM Who has been your greatest
mentor or coach in your career?
RF Milt Salter, a good friend of
mine, who is a retired Army colonel.
He spent time in the Pentagon with
Dick Cheney where he was well
admired, and he is who I call when I
need to vent. A mentor is someone to
whom you can vent, and from whom
you can learn. He has been my single
most important mentor since hes
been there, done that, and got the
t-shirt. Its always good to learn from
those with life experience.
MM What was the most important
thing you learned in the Coast Guard
that you have carried over into your
role at Martin Marine?
RF Attention to detail and integrity.
Doing the right thing all the time, no
matter how uncomfortable it may be.
MM To change gears a little,
anyone who has visited your office
cant help but notice that you use a
standing desk. Why do you use one,
and share how it has benefited you.
RF There is a push in some

companies to encourage standing desks

because you burn calories standing that
you would not sitting. Plus, most peoples
sitting posture isnt good, anyway. My
choice was driven by my back surgery. I
couldnt sit for long periods of time, and
when I was on light duty status, I couldnt
sit at work, so I had to get a standing
desk. That was the only way I could
survive. It was either standing or lying
flat on the floor. Ive since healed from
my disc surgery, and now
I can stand all day without
blinking an eye.
MM Have you noticed any
additional benefits from
standing, even if only as a
byproduct of healing from
surgery?

MM So how would you encourage this

type of thinking among our mariners?
What would you say to help them have
the same priority?
RF I would stress the importance of
each person increasing their situational
awareness. This is broad term, but
knowing your surroundings and knowing
your work environment will help you
and your co-workers avoid accidents and

which everyone is involved. If I dont lead

well, then those who follow my example
will not lead well and so forth, all the
way down the chain. Even a brand new
deckhand might do something unsafe
or in an incorrect way, and the captain
of the boat may follow his example.
Everyone needs to be conscious about
how they are leading. Positions and titles
provide a structure, but everybody leads
by example.

... knowing your surroundings and

knowing your work environment
will help you and your co-workers
avoid accidents and injuries.

RF I did lose weight, but I also changed

my diet and lifestyle at the same time. I
gained about 20 pounds after my surgery,
but in the last year Ive lost about 25
pounds.
MM Everyone seems to have that
one thing in regard to safety that they
are most passionate about. It could be
always wearing the appropriate PPE, or
avoiding trip hazards what are you
most passionate about?
RF I mean what I always say: We cant
replace people. So ensuring that we do
everything we can to protect human
life and our crew members from injury
is number one to me. Property and
pollution are secondary in my mind. We
can replace equipment or clean up a spill,
but the family members of our crew are
counting on us to create an environment
in which the safety of their loved ones is
primary.

injuries. For example, if you are walking

along the side of a barge and dont realize
that the line might tighten up if the barge
moves, or you are not paying attention to
tripping hazards, then you are placing
yourself and others at risk.
MM Whats the best piece of
leadership advice youve gathered from
your reading and experience?
RF Respect and treat others the way
you want to be respected and treated and
leadership will follow. Some say that you
are born a leader; some say its learned.
I say its both. You may be born a leader,
but you dont know it until later on when
you develop your own style. There are
leaders and followers, and what most
followers dont realize is that they are
leading too. Someone is looking to them
and following their example.
I understand leadership as something in

MM Where is your favorite

place to travel?

RF Lake Tahoe. Ive been

there twice, and if I could go
anywhere, thats where Id
go. Ive lived in Hawaii, New
York, Tennessee, Michigan,
Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia,
Maryland, and Texas. I have visited 47
states and Lake Tahoe is where I want to
go back to.
MM People at Martin Marine are
passionate about football. Who is your
favorite team?
RF The Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio
State Buckeyes. I was born in Columbus,
so Im a Buckeye by birth. I went to
the national championship this year
and besides a few key events in my life
(marriage, kids, success in my career) it
was the greatest event of in my life. It was
phenomenal.
MM This will be published after the
Super Bowl, but do you want to go on
record with your prediction as to who
will win?
RF - Seattle.

PAGE 3

Health

The Dangers of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

source: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hydrogensulfide/hazards.html

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless,

flammable, extremely hazardous gas
with a rotten egg smell. It occurs
naturally in crude petroleum and
natural gas, and can be produced by
the breakdown of organic matter and
human/animal wastes. It is heavier
than air and can collect in low-lying
and enclosed, poorly ventilated areas
such as basements, manholes, sewer
lines and underground telephone/
electrical vaults.

Detection by Smell
Can be smelled at low levels,
but with continuous lowlevel exposure or at higher
concentrations you lose your
ability to smell the gas even
though it is still present.
At high concentrations your
ability to smell the gas can be lost
instantly.
DO NOT depend on your
sense of smell for indicating
the continuing presence of this
gas or for warning of hazardous
concentrations.

Health Effects
Health effects vary with how long,
and at what level, you are exposed.
Low concentrations irritation of
eyes, nose, throat, or respiratory
system; effects can be delayed.
Moderate concentrations more
severe eye and respiratory effects,
headache, dizziness, nausea,
coughing, vomiting and difficulty
breathing.
High concentrations shock,
convulsions, unable to breathe,
coma, death; effects can be rapid
(within a few breaths).

Need Help Losing Weight?

by Joel Burdeaux, HSSEQT Creative Associate

One of the most effective ways

to lose weight is to keep track of
what you eat. Tracking forces you
to be honest with yourself, while
also helping you understand the
nutritional value of the foods you
consume on a regular basis. If you
own a smartphone, tracking your
food is easy with a free
app called My
Fitness Pal.

PAGE 4

Upon installation, you will set up

an account and build a profile that
includes your dietary needs and
weight loss goals. My Fitness Pal
will then calculate the number of
calories you need to eat each day
to meet your goals.

There is a good reason why this

app is so highly rated. Nearly every
type and brand of food available
is in the database already, so
adding food is a breeze. If you run
across something that is not in the
database, adding it manually is just
as easy. Give My Fitness Pal a
try. Its available for web,
Android, iOS,
and Windows.

Tugboat Lentil & Sausage Soup

Why Lentils?

1. High Fiber - lowers cholesterol, reduces risk for heart disease, prevents constipation and other digestive problems,
and helps stabilize blood sugar.
2. Good Protein - 26% of lentils calories
are protein.
3. Excellent Source of Energy - Lentils
are a great source of steady, slow-burning energy due to their high levels of
fiber and complex carbohydrates. They
are also high in iron, which is key to
energy production and metabolism.
4. Weight Loss - Even though lentils are
packed with good nutrients, they are low
in calories and contain almost no fat.

Ingredients

1 pound dried lentils

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups carrots, sliced
1 cup celery, sliced
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 14 oz can vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 pound chicken sausage
(or - 1 cup chicken, shredded)
2 cups fresh spinach
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Rinse lentils. In a large pan, heat oil until hot. Toss in onion, garlic, carrots, and
celery. Saut for 10 minutes or until onion
is translucent and vegetables are tender but
crisp. Add tomato sauce, water, vegetable
broth, bay leaves, and lentils. Bring mixture
to a boil. Cover; reduce heat and let simmer
for about 25 minutes or until vegetables
are slightly soft. Add chicken sausage (or
chicken) and pepper. Stir in fresh spinach.
Cover and let cook for another 10 minutes
or until sausage is heated through. Add salt.
Ladle soup into bowls. Serves 8.

This recipe is a modified version of the recipe found at http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/recipes/soup-recipes/tugboat-lentil-soup

Nutritional information generated using the MyFitnessPal app.

PAGE 5

Health

continued...

Small Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce

Mariner Fatigue, Improve Endurance
by Jo Ann Salyers of Salyers Solutions, LLC

Is your body a well-maintained

machine or an accident waiting to
happen?
Humans are not designed for the
lifestyle and 24/7 environment of the
maritime industry. Typically, the natural
circadian rhythm, or biological clock,
makes a person sleepy or alert on a
normal schedule. Without
proper management, not being able to
follow your bodys circadian rhythm
can have a variety of negative effects
including fatigue, health issues, reduced
endurance and poor cognitive skills.
Understanding how your body, your
machine, works and the roles sleep,
nutrition, hydration, and other factors
play in keeping you healthy and alert
is important. Most people take better
care of their cars, trucks, motorcycles,
and boats than of their own bodies.
We tend to have the oil changed, tune
ups and maintenance performed per
manufacturer recommendations for
equipment but many individuals dont
have regular checkups or pay attention
to signs of trouble with their own
bodies. Keep in mind that a person
doesnt develop high blood pressure,
Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or other
medical conditions overnight. We put
poor fuel in our machines, dont take
care of them, and still somehow expect
optimal performance. Your vessel
wouldnt operate well on the wrong

PAGE 6

fuel and with little or no maintenance.

Similarly, you are likely not operating
at your optimal level. Risk factors such
as lack of sleep (quality and quantity);
common health issues (Type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and
obesity); environmental conditions
(noise, temperature and vibration);
and other factors (stress, caffeine and
nicotine abuse, and use of over-thecounter medications) may be affecting
your work performance. Over time
these risk factors lead to fatigue,
impaired performance, and a lower
quality of life both in and outside of
work.

Knowledge is power
In the maritime industry, there are tools
in place to investigate near misses and
accidents to determine the root cause
and prevent future incidents. Regular
safety checks and inspections are also
completed as a preventive measure. For
our bodies, physicals are performed and
metrics are used to gauge our health
blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, the
dreaded BMI, and overall how we feel.
With or without these metrics, we often
have misconceptions about our ability
to perform our jobs.
We think we are in good condition to
handle our duties in the safest manner
and make the best decisions. When
we add up how much quality sleep we
get, our physical condition, and the

environment we work and live in while

on the job, we may not realize that the
more fatigued we are (and fatigue is
cumulative) the harder it becomes for
us to accurately gauge our abilities to
perform tasks and make good decisions.
Many individuals are surprised to learn
how small changes can greatly reduce
fatigue and increase endurance.
Oftentimes there are quick win
solutions, including:
Nutrition: The best foods to eat
when coming on watch or getting off
watch;
Quality sleep: Although you may
not be waking up, noise, vibration or
other risk factors could be preventing
you from getting quality sleep, so
adjustments in your sleeping area
can increase deep sleep and prevent
fatigue;
Over-the-counter medications:
Certain medications may be better
suited for a specific watch or hitch;
Light management: Certain
intensities of light affect your ability to
stay awake and get quality sleep.
Caffeine: Used properly, caffeine is a
very good countermeasure to fatigue
and studies show that it has health
benefits; used improperly it can cause
insomnia and contribute to health
problems.
Continued on back cover

Safety

Texting and Talking While Driving

by Joel Burdeaux, HSSEQT Creative Associate

If you have ever been responsible for the operation

of a vehicle while employed at Martin, whether
it is a company vehicle, a rental car, or one of our
marine vessels, you have likely been informed of
our cell phone and electronic device policy.
As a refresher, here are the basic points: 1
All employees of Martin Resource Management
Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliated
companies, and all subcontractors working
directly and exclusively for Martin Marine are
required to follow the following procedures while
in a company vehicle:
1. All employees must adhere to all federal, state,
and/or local laws regarding the use of digital
and cellular telephones while driving motorized
vehicles.
In addition to these laws,
2. Employees shall never use their personal
and/or company issued mobile telephones or
other texting/emailing devices for texting and/
or emailing purposes while driving a motorized
vehicle or operating vessels or equipment.
3. Should an employee need to receive or place a
telephone call while driving a motorized vehicle,
he or she should use a hands-free device or pull
off of the road to make the phone call.
1

This policy is found on page 50 of the SMS Manual

Texting and Driving 2014 Statistics:

4384 accidents per day
1370 serious injuries per day
16 deaths per day
Now the leading cause of death among teenagers,
surpassing alcohol-related accidents
Distracted drivers are 23xs more likely to have
an accident, and 6xs more likely than intoxicated
drivers
25% of accidents caused linked to drivers distracted
by their cell phone
Sources: AAA, United States Department of Transportation, University of Utah, FocusDriven Nationwide
Insurance study, National Highway Trac Safety Administration, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

An Even Better Policy

While we cannot make policies that dictate how
you operate your own vehicles on your own time,
we hope that you will consider adopting these
policies voluntarily in your own life.
Consider the statistics above. Consider the
children in your car who are learning driving
habits by observing you. Consider your own
safety, as well as the safety of other drivers and
pedestrians around you.
Put the phone down. Its not worth it.

PAGE 7

Safety

continued...

Its Not Just Texting

Lets be honest for a minute.
Maybe you get a little selfrighteous when you read the
stats about texting and driving.
Maybe you never text and
drive. Maybe you only use
your phone in emergencies,
and you always pull over
or use your hands-free device
when you do use it. But what about the other
features these wonderful pocket-sized computers
have brought to our lives? What about music?
What about GPS navigation? As amazing as these
features are, they can both be major distractions
and increase your chances of causing an accident.
Use the same caution you
would when texting, when
skipping songs in your
favorite music app, or when
looking at directions using
your favorite navigation
app. Anything that causes
you to look at your device,
and therefore away from
the road, is dangerous, and
should be regarded as such.
It should also be noted that
your steering wheel, visor, and rear view mirror
are not a drum kit, no matter how awesome the
music you are jamming to may be.
Lets keep our focus where it needs to be:
On the road.

PAGE 8

April is Here
Captains, dont forget that it is time
for your 2nd Quarter QI Drills.

Security
Signing Visitors In
by Moses Garza, Barge Operations Manager

It is vital that anyone who boards our equipment, no

matter who it is, signs in correctly. There have been
instances in which visitors claimed to have been
aboard a vessel, yet the vessel had no sign-in record
proving they were there. Simply put, this is a breach
of Homeland Security, and must never happen at
Martin.
All visitors must comply and be signed in properly
when boarding Martin equipment. When a
visitor desires to board, it is the vessel personnels
responsibility to demand that proper ID is shown,
and they must immediately escort the visitor to the
vessel to sign in (and it must be
legible!).
If someone cannot or
will not provide proper
identification, they must
be denied access and the
incident reported to the
manager of the vessel (Captain).

Environment

Disposing of a Compact Flourescent Bulb

by OMI Environmental Solutions

DID YOU KNOW THAT

BROKEN CFL BULBS ARE
HAZARDOUS?

During Cleanup
DO NOT VACUUM.
Vacuuming is not recommended
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
unless broken glass remains after
(CFL) and other fluorescent light
all other cleanup steps have been
bulbs contain a small amount of
taken. Vacuuming could spread
mercury sealed within the glass
mercury-containing powder or
tubing. When a fluorescent bulb
mercury vapor.
breaks, some of this mercury is
Be thorough in collecting broken
released as mercury vapor. To
glass and visible powder. Scoop
minimize exposure to mercury
up glass fragments and powder
vapor,
using stiff paper or cardboard.
the EPA recommends the following Use sticky tape, such as duct tape,
cleanup and disposal steps:
to pick up any remaining small
glass fragments and powder. Place
Before Cleanup
the used tape in the glass jar or
Have people and pets leave the
plastic bag.
room.
Place cleanup materials in a
Air out the room for 5-10
sealable container.
minutes by opening a window or
door to the outdoor environment.
After Cleanup
Shut off the central forced air
Promptly place all bulb debris
heating/air-conditioning system, if and cleanup materials, including
you have one.
vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a
Collect materials needed to clean trash container or protected
up broken bulb:
area until materials can be
- stiff paper or cardboard;
disposed of. Avoid leaving any bulb
- sticky tape;
fragments or cleanup materials
- damp paper towels or disposable indoors.
wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and
Next, check with your local
- a glass jar with a metal lid or a
government about disposal
sealable plastic bag.
requirements in your area, because

some localities require

fluorescent bulbs (broken or
unbroken) be taken to a local
recycling center. If there is no such
requirement in your area, you
can dispose of the materials with
your trash.
If practical, continue to air out
the room where the bulb was
broken and leave the heating/air
conditioning system shut off for
several hours.
Source: http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cf

PAGE 9

Quality

Importance of Daily Fuel Reporting

by The Scheduling Department

Fuel can be one of the largest daily costs for our customers, sometimes even exceeding the freight rate of a tow. Fuel
invoices can only be re-billed to the customers when the correct gauges/quantities are logged by the boat. We use the
Job Start/End fuel, daily midnight fuel readings & heater on/off times to determine the amount of fuel being burned.
Below is an example of our Fuel Consumption Report generated using the fuel readings:
Daily fuel burn for the John Doe

Daily fuel burn for the Barge 001 & 002 w/heater runtime

Accurate fuel reporting allows us to calculate:

Idle burn averages
Running burn averages (loaded/empty, upriver/downriver, ext.)
Barge burn to maintain or heat products
We thank you in advance for accurately recording the daily gauges/quantities in the TAL as this ensures we report the
correct fuel burn to our customers.

Vessel Electronics
by Captain David Howell, The Seamens Church Institute

Todays vessels are equipped with

all types of electronic navigational
tools and aids that help the mariner
navigate safely and effectively. At
the same time, the equipment can
only operate correctly if we input the
information needed to tell us what
we are looking for. Many people
comment that they never check their

PAGE 10

own information on the AIS. They

have no idea if the right vessel type
is showing or whether the AIS shows
them underway or moored or what
their destination is. The AIS should
also display how many crewmembers
are on the vessel. This is information
the pilot must input into the AIS
system for the vessel to be legal

when transiting a VTS area. If your

Electronic Charting System (ECS)
is receiving information from the
AIS and you dont have it programed
correctly, it will throw off your
passing point predictors in the ECS
system and could cause a bad scenario
if involved in an incident. The AIS
also has a place to set up CPA alarms
continued on page 11

Importance of Accurate Hose Reporting

by Moses Garza, Barge Operations Manager

Prior to arriving at the dock, it is

important to complete a thorough
check of the crossover hose to
ensure it is in good condition. This
will avoid any downtime. Damaged
hoses are not just a quality issue. A
damaged hose can lead to an injury
or a release of product into the
envoronment.
Never hesitate to exercise your
stop-work authority if you notice
the dock cargo hose is damaged or
believe it may lead to an incident
during transfer. If the hose is
unsafe for any reason, Management
will support you in the decision to
stop work until the damaged hose
is replaced.

continued from page 10

for the vessel and input the type of

cargo it is carrying.
Always enter the vessel draft, air
draft, and ETA of the destination into
the AIS. It is also important to enter
the length and beam of the overall
vessel and tow size into the system
whether loaded or not. It is similar to
completing a second voyage plan.

Tankerman Jason Rawls on the Martin Navigator noticed that the dock hose
was in bad shape and alerted his Captain. Since the dock did not have a
replacement hose, the transfer was postponed until it could be done safely.

I know it seems cumbersome, but

we must follow each step, so that in
the event the vessel is involved in
an incident all the rules have been
followed.

Take a few minutes to re-read rule 7

in the Rules and Regulation handbook
if you need extra clarity.

Remember this: These rules can be

your best friend if you are following
them. If youre not, they can be your
worst enemy.

PAGE 11

Training

Keep Your Moxie Account Up-To-Date

by Joel Burdeaux, HSSEQT Creative Associate

ATTENTION ALL MARINERS:

Please keep your Moxie Media account up-todate by adding your email to your profile. You are
automatically enrolled in courses as needed, and
the only way that you can be notified that you have
coursework due
is by email.
This is important
for maintaining
your training and
certifications,
and is a key
component of

your eligibility for a Quarterly Safety Award. To be

eligible for the Quarterly Safety Award, you must be
current on your Moxie training. To stay on top of your
training, you must to have your email in your profile.
If you do not have an email address, obtaining one is
easy. Sites like gmail.com, outlook.com, yahoo.com,
gmx.com, and mail.com all offer free email services
and plenty of great features.
Once you have entered your email address into
your Moxie profile, make sure to check your email
periodically to see if you have any outstanding
coursework.

GOAL ZERO HERO - Richard Sloan

Congratulations to the Monica Means Relief Captain Richard Sloan for receiving the coveted Goal Zero Hero award
from Shell!
Richard used his stop-work authority to prevent an incident while transporting Shell product, helping Shell (and
Martin) avoid potential damage to people, property, and the environment.
On March 10, Rob Smith, marine assurance advisor at Shell, met with Richard at the La Porte office to present him with
the award.

Richard Sloan receiving his plaque from Rob Smith

PAGE 12

Richard Sloan and Rob Smith

Rick Freed, Richard Sloan, and Rob Smith

Wheelhouse Warriors
January 2015 Class

Upcoming Training Dates

Left to right: Ashley Witherington, Homer Barrett, Ben Elliot, John Gifford, Cliff Pfeffer, Leo Braun, Dale Cross

Every quarter we feature photos from the Advanced Pilothouse Training

sessions at the Seamens Church Institute. Wheelmen spend two and a half
days learning in the classroom and inside simulators so realistic you might
just lose your sea legs in stormy simulations! Our goal is to send each
wheelman to training every 18 months. After each training session, trainees
come back to the La Porte office for open discussions with members of
management. If you are new to the company and have not yet attended, take
a look at the upcoming training dates. Training doesnt get more hands-on
than this.
Left to right: Doicus Langley, Gary Sanders, Jack Drossos, Bill Thorn, Greg Peabody, Terry Dickens,

James Medlock, Darrell Owens, Leo Braun

March 2015 Class

April 20-23
June 29 - July 1
August 17-19
September 28-30
October 26-28
November 30 - December 2

PAGE 13

Learning From Incidents

Ensure Readiness for Safe Transfer Operations
from our partners at Shell. LFI, Issue #14, February 2015

What Happened?

An oil spill to water occurred from a vessel during bunkering fuel oil from a barge.

How and Why it Happened

The vessel was carrying out bunkering in an anchorage. The vessel was loading one
bunker tank at a time. About halfway through the bunkering operation, a changeover
of tanks on the vessel was taking place. However, the valve of the actively loading tank
could not be closed, and at the same time, the valve of the changeover tank could
not be opened up. In trying to resolve the valve malfunction, the transfer continued
and the fuel oil overflowed from the tank vent and collected on the starboard side of
the vessel. The spill eventually overflowed
Oil overflowing from fishplate
above the fishplate (approx. 12 cm [5]
height above the deck) of the vessel. The hulls of the vessel and barge were
oiled and created an oil sheen on the water. Due to the strong wind blowing at
the time, other vessels in the anchorage also reported oil on their hulls. About
5m3 (30 US bbls) overflowed from the tank.

Findings

Maintenance: The bunker tank valves failed on both tanks. Regular

maintenance of the bunker transfer equipment must be included in the ships
Planned Maintenance System and executed accordingly.
Oil spill on vessel
Readiness/Pre-checks: It must be confirmed that the vessel is ready for a
transfer operation by ensuring that equipment is tested prior to a transfer. At a minimum, equipment to be checked
includes valves, tank vents, flame screens, gauges, and emergency stops.
Supervision: Deck crew on the barge were not in the vicinity of the operation which contributed to the delay in
stopping the operation.
Communication: Lack of communication resulted in delay to stopping the bunker transfer. Communication must be
maintained between the transfer operators (PICs) especially during critical stages such as changeover of tanks.

KEY MESSAGE: ENSURE READINESS FOR SAFE TRANSFER OPERATIONS

Reflection: Questions for Discussion

How do you ensure your vessel is ready for a transfer operation?

What can you do to ensure that transfer equipment works when it is needed?
How do you make sure that communications are maintained with transfer operators at all times, especially in
critical stages?
How do you know the emergency stop procedure will work effectively?

PAGE 14

Take a Break

Used with permission. The Deckhand Manual

FAMOUS FICTIONAL SHIPS

Print multiple copies of this page for your crew

easy

medium

hard

puzzle solutions on back cover

PAGE 15

Seen & Heard

PAGE 16

Opposite Page:
Top Row: (Amy L. LaQuay) Steve
Skinner, Randy Norris, Kevin
Broussard, Michael Weyren, Jason
Kime (Dani Mayes) Frankie Kowalski,
Allen Spore, Percy Gurvin, Jarvis
Jackson, James Arnold, Tommy
Zellers, Ashley Witherington
Second Row: (Jeanie G) John
Whalen, Chris Matherne (Orion)
Jose Ramirez, Mike Marett, Matt

Dellacasa, Dennis Taylor, Vincente

Norales, Jeff Garrett (W. O. Watson)
Richard Lee
Third Row: (Monica Means) Shawn
Roberts, Chris Rawls, James Siegfried,
James Turner, Chris Lampkin (W. O.
Watson) Jerry Garner, Chris Stark,
Michael Rice, Eon Jardine, Bawily
Kipimo
Bottom Row: (Phillip C. George)
Danny Williams, AJ Chadwick,

Lester Fulfer, Nick Campbell, Chester

Wetherell, Howard Autin
This Page:
(Teeter Menard II) Roland Duhon,
Jerry Wold, Louis Vincent, Teeter
Menard, Terry Fontenot, Brett
Guidry, Marcus Boudreaux
(La Porte Office) Phred Hernandez
(Kilgore Office) Stacy Morrisons
daughter, Lainey Blu Morrison.

Weve heard that you could see these shirts from space. Maybe not, but look how they stand out in the picture of the Dani Mayes and Terry Fontenot below.

PAGE 17

Seen & Heard

continued...

The Accounting Groups Field Trips

by Rhonda Borbiliac, Accounting Manager

Martin Marines accounting group makes a point

the time and money demands that arise from the
to take time out of their schedules to take a few
vessels. When reviewing vendor invoices, which
field trips each year. These field trips are strictly
in some cases are re-billable to our customers,
for training purposes and
AR clerks have a better
typically involve visiting boats
understanding of the equipment
while they are in the shipyard.
and operations and are able
The training may seem a little
to verify the validity of these
unconventional to some, but
expenses. This is beneficial to
the Martin Marine accounting
the customers, preventinng
group is composed of
unnecessary expenses being
personnel far different than the
billed to them.
stereotypical accountant. Each
Mike Green, business analyst and Ashton Vial, staff accountant
one takes great pride in their
The group has visited several
on the M/V Terry Fontenot.
work, and desires to understand
boats and barges, as well as
the operations surrounding and
the Seamens Church Training
involved with the marine industry. They believe
Facility. The training field trips allow the group to
it will help them to be more accurate in their
see the marine transportation industry in motion.
accounting work and give them
In turn, they have learned
a better understanding of the
many things about the industry,
expense reports processed.
the crew, and the expenses
necessary to successfully
By seeing firsthand the various
operate a vessel.
mechanical components of the
vessels, the accounts payable
It is difficult to grasp the
clerks can improve their ability
magnitude of the Marine
From left: Tankerman Dale Cross driving the simulator,
to code a repair-related invoice. Captain Ben Elliot showing Accounts Payable Clerk Rebecca business and the size of the
Carte the boats navigation screen at the Seamens Church.
The more knowledgeable an AP
equipment from their desks in
clerk is about Martin Marines
La Porte, which is why they lace
equipment and services, the more likely they are
up their steel-toe shoes and get out in the field
able to gauge whether or not an invoice is valid
with the Martin Marine mariners. While they may
and reasonable.
not throw lines or navigate the waterways, their
on-board experiences allow the group to fully
The accounts receivable clerks greatly benefit from understand everyones role so they can work as a
the trips as they are able to better understand
unified team with you, the mariners.

PAGE 18

Martin Cares

Inspiration for the Industry

by Brian Horner, Director of Gulf Coast Division, Marketplace Chaplains USA

Feeling a little stressed?

An old joke goes like this: A man
decided to join a particularly
strict sect of the monkhood. The
head monk told the man at his
indoctrination they were sworn to
total silence. However, the head
monk said every 10 years they were
permitted to speak two words. After
a decade passed of total silence, the
head monk instructed the man to
speak his two words. The man said,
Bed hard. He then resumed his
silent study and work.
Another 10 years passed, and the
head monk told the man to say his
two words. The young monk said,
Food bad. He then resumed his
silent study and work. Ten years
passed again, and again the man
could say two words. He said, I quit!
The head monk shook his head and
said, I knew this was coming. Youve
done nothing but complain for the
past 30 years!
I once thought joining a monastery or
running off into the wilderness might
be the answer for escaping all stress.
As Ive grown older, however, Ive
realized there is no perfect utopia in
this world. Life inevitably brings some
things our way, which cause even the
calmest among us to occasionally fret
and worry.
There is no doubt stress is
increasingly on the minds of many in

the workforce. The pace of our jobs

and life in general has only quickened
in the past few years; almost
everything seems as if it is open for
business 24/7. And many of us worry
that stepping off the conveyor belt of
life for just a few minutes might leave
us behind for good. Emails are getting
replaced by text messages because
emails are not expedient enough;
nothing seems permanent anymore
here today then Snapchat gone in
seconds, rather than tomorrow.
Life throws us a curve ball from
time to time from excessive debt
to serious health threats to heavy
workloads and unmet employer
expectations to the painful loss of
loved ones. We probably wont escape
completely unscathed or unharmed.

The good news is we

shouldnt avoid stress
entirely because some
stress can do a body good!
Experts tell us the right amount and
the right type of stress can actually
help us to interact more positively in
an unpredictable world and become
better equipped to decipher which
new experiences are helpful and
which ones are harmful.
When the bad stress rears its ugly
head, there are some steps we can
take to diminish its effect or even to
turn this kind of stress into a good

thing. Here are three simple, practical

things one can do to overcome the
stressors of life:
Be content Simplifying ones
life by refusing to buy certain things,
or selling or giving away things just
gathering dust, might actually provide
us the time to really focus on the
other things we do have or even better
yet, to focus more on the people
closest in our lives.
Live in the here and now
Scripture says, Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own. Focus on
the opportunities and challenges you
have in front of you, and live each day
to the fullest.
Live well Its not selfish to
exercise, eat healthy and balanced
meals, and get sufficient sleep. You
also cant expect to live a healthy,
happy life if you only get rest or eat
a healthy meal on rare occasions.
Take time daily to rest, relax, eat well,
exercise, enjoy some solitude (perhaps
through meditation and prayer), and
youll find these daily habits lower
your stress in all areas of life.
One more thing: If you really want to
reduce the stress in your life, try to
find the positives in everything. Dont
take life too seriously, and do not be
too proud to occasionally laugh at
yourself. This is a good reminder for
us all, even an old monk!

PAGE 19

Miscellaneous
Oil and Coolant Analysis
by Mike Green, Business Analyst

Oil and coolant analysis allow us the

opportunity to prevent premature
wear and catastrophic failure on our
main engines and generators.
Todays engines have higher flow
rates, temperatures, and pressures
than engines had 30 years ago, and
these brutal forces can take a toll on
fluid performance.
Oil analysis can detect coolant
contamination in the oil, and coolant
analysis can detect something wrong
within the cooling system, hopefully
well before they cause any damage.
In fact, according to Mark Betner,

Heavy-Duty Lubricants Manager with

Citgo, 50% of premature lube-related
engine failures in on-highway trucks
are related to coolant contamination.
We can assume the number is
comparable for our marine engines.

collect and identify each sample when

we turn them in. Each of our vessels
has an account number specifically
for that boat. When the labels arrive,
the bar codes tell us which vessel it is
for, but not the specific engine.

Martin Marine currently uses Polaris

Labs for our oil and coolant analysis.
Whenever a sample is analyzed,
mechanics familiar with our engines
can decipher the data and help
define the most probable cause, or
help determine a course of action to
prevent further damage.

Also, there are two types of labels;

Mobil and Coolant. When you
order, be sure to order both. Use
mobil labels for oil, and coolant labels
for coolant.

This is why its important for us to

Keep in mind we pay for the analysis

at the time we purchase the labels
and bottles, so its a good idea to keep
track of these items.

Maintaining Good Work Relationships

by Kathy Pusateri, La Porte Office Manager

1. Practice common courtesy acknowledge a coworkers

hello, maintain eye contact, call people by name, and
remember to pick up after yourself in shared spaces.
2. Use effective communication whether
communicating by email, phone, instant messaging, or in
a face-to-face visit, be sure to express the subject matter,
give your thoughts, and ask for input. With most of todays
communications being done by email, ensure that your
correspondence is professionally presented.
3. Respect your co-workers time conduct business or
make requests when it is convenient for both of you to
give attention to your request. If they are busy and there is
no emergency, come back later.
4. Help yourself when you make a request of someone,
furnish them with as much information as possible. It will
make the job easier for both of you.
5. Use caution on social media whenever posting on a
social network such as Facebook or Twitter, consider that

PAGE 20

the whole world, including your mother and your boss,

will see the post. Never post confidential information
about yourself, your co-worker, or your company.
6. Stay on the level treat everyone the same. Dont
gossip and do not get involved when someone else does.
7. Dont complain about work at work everyone vents
at one time or another, but it would be best to vent to your
partner, a non-work friend, or your dog.
8. Put out the welcome mat make new-hires welcome.
You were a new-hire once yourself.
9. Dont pass the buck mistakes are inevitable, but take
responsibility for yours. It is best to acknowledge an error,
analyze why it occurred and how future errors may be
avoided, and correct the problem; then move on.
10. Follow up with people this will let your co-workers
know you care about your job, that you respect their
involvement, and that you will keep them in the loop.
source: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-build-good-coworker-relationships/

New Employees at Martin Marine

Jim Kelley
After graduating from the Maine
Maritime Academy in 1985, Jim
spent the next 30 working years on
board ships; the first ten on the Great
Lakes and the last ten at sea as a Chief
Engineer. He has also worked as a
Surveyor with the American Bureau
of Shipping. He is married and has
three children, two girls and one boy.
Jim now works for Martin Marine in
Port Arthur, Texas, as a Port Engineer.
Joel Burdeaux
Joel went into the ministry in 2004
and pastored small churches in Texas
and Maine for over a decade. In this
role, he learned web and graphic
design simply because there was
no money in a small church budget
to outsource those tasks. He has a

Master of Arts in Theological Studies,

and most recently taught theology
as an Adjunct Professor at Houston
Baptist University.
Joel is married with three children,
and is now serving as the HSSEQT
Creative Associate in the La Porte
office.
Maria Acosta
(Picture Unavailable)
Maria has a long history at Martin,
predating many of our current
employees, but left in 2005 to care for
her family. She returned to Martin
after a 10-year career as a Domestic
Engineer, and now serves behind
the scenes in the Vidor office as the
HSSEQT Assistant and helps teach
4th Grade Sunday School at her
church.

Jim Kelley

Joel Burdeaux with his wife and children

Quarter One Find the Anchor Winner

Congratulations Captain Tim Thompson!
Tim Tompson, Captain on the M/V Texan was our lucky
winner who found the anchor hidden in the January 2015
issue. He won a $25 Visa Gift Card.
Who will be next? Maybe you.
Dont forget to look for the anchor in this issue, and when
you find it, be sure to email the page number and location
to joel.burdeaux@martinmlp.com.

PAGE 21

Miscellaneous

continued...

Cutting Costs, Not Corners

by Rhonda Borbiliac, Accounting Manager and Ashton Vial, Staff Accountant

Randy Yeager on the M/V Orion

created a spreadsheet that tracks
grocery expenses, helping them stay
within budget without sacrificing
nutrition. This spreadsheet is now
being used on all of our vessels.

Have you ever heard the saying

a penny saved is a penny earned?
When dealing with personal finances,
a thought that often crosses peoples
minds is how they can save money.
Whether its reducing the amount of
luxury items, services purchased or
finding less expensive substitutes for
household products, people are always
looking for ways to save money.
Many of these same cost saving
techniques used in our everyday lives
can also be applied at work. We have
noticed that some of our crew members
have taken creative steps to try to cut
costs without cutting corners, and
this effort is greatly appreciated. This
kind of initiative is contagious, and
their actions have encouraged other
departments at Martin Marine to do the
same. Here are a few examples of how
our crew members are cutting costs:
The M/V W.O. Watson crew is
making an effort to drink less soda
by making batches of tea and KoolAid and drinking more water, which
is healthier and less expensive.

PAGE 22

Since vendors charge trash disposal

on a per bag basis, the crew on the
M/V W.O. Watson ensures that each
trash bag is full before tying it up.
The crew on the M/V Phillip C.
George uses cotton hand towels to
clean the wheelhouse windows since
they can be washed and re-used. This
cuts down on waste, and in the long
term, it cuts down on trash expenses.
The M/V Orion crew members
work together to coordinate
transportation during crew change
to reduce the cost of travel expenses.
Athel Jackson states that good
housekeeping on the M/V W.O.
Watson helps them cut down
on costs. Washing dishes rather
than buying and using disposable
dinnerware is one of the ways they
keep their budget in check.
The M/V Joel Smith crew
recommends using LED bulbs rather
than conventional bulbs to save on
power.
Even office personnel are doing their
part to help reduce costs in 2015.
The Vidor Office canceled custodial

services, and the La Porte Office

canceled custodial supply services.
Collectively, we all help to ensure that
paper towel dispensers are refilled,
toilet paper is stocked, and hand soap
is available in all restrooms. This was
a luxury service that we were paying
a premium for. With just a little effort
from all office employees, we were able
to eliminate this expense altogether.
In addition to finding ways for Martin
to save money, we are also making
an effort to minimize costs for our
customers. Some of the expenses
incurred are re-billable to our
customers, such as fleeting expenses,
assist tugs, and fuel. Cutting these costs
begins with our scheduling department,
who negotiates rates when applicable,
and ends with our invoicing process,
during which the Accounts Receivable
Clerk reviews re-billable charges on
invoices line by line and disputes items
that are incorrect.
Our office personnel make every
attempt to ensure that crews on every
vessel have all of the comforts of home,
but limits are put in place to reduce
unnecessary spending. Little changes
such as the ones mentioned above and
more cost conscious decisions can
collectively help reduce expenses, so we
encourage everyone to join in.
Have a cost saving tip that youd like to
share with us? Email it to
ashton.vial@martinmlp.com and well
spread the word!

The Texas Navy

by Kathy Pusateri, La Porte Office Manager

The Texas Navy... Its no exaggeration to say that without it there would probably have been no Lone Star Republic and possibly the
State of Texas would still be part of Mexico. ~ Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. 1936

Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836

and did not become a part of the United States until
1845. During that time the Republic of Texas was an
independent country which meant we had our own
president, Congress, and even embassies to Paris,
London, and Washington. We also had our own
navy in fact, we had two. The Texas (Texian) Navy
protected our coastline,
rivers, bays, and inlets from
the mouth of the Mississippi
River to the Yucatan, and
it was a formidable force
competing with Mexico,
the United States, and some
European powers for control
of the Gulf of Mexico.

coastline forcing the Mexican fleet to focus on

protecting its own shores. When the Texas Congress
couldnt fund the Navy any longer due to the high
costs of maintenance, Commodore Moore enlisted
contributions towards the fleets upkeep from
Mexican coastline towns by ensuring that they would
not be invaded if they contributed. He also borrowed
$35,000 on his own signature
to help support the fleet.
In the meantime, Mexico
purchased two advanced
warships from Great Britain
which Commodore Moore
took as a threat to Texas,
and a battle was inevitable.

The first Texian Navy was

formed in 1836 and was
comprised of four wooden
sailing vessels the Liberty,
Invincible, Brutus, and
flagship Independenceand was commanded
by Commodore Charles
E. Hawkins. This navy
has been credited with
making the victory at
San Jacinto possible by
providing provisions taken from Mexican ships to
Sam Houstons men. They also kept Mexico from
resupplying their troops in Texas. By mid-1837,
the ships of the first Texas Navy had been sold,
wrecked, or surrendered to creditors and the flagship,
Independence, was surrendered to Mexican warships.

The battle would be wood

and sail vs. iron and steam.
Although no one believed
that the Texas fleet had a
chance against the more
powerful Mexican ships,
in May, 1844, the sloopof-war Austin and the brig
Wharton, with the support
of the rebellious ships of
the Republic of Yucatan,
engaged the Mexican
fleet. The Austin was able
to get between the new Mexican ships and get off
520 rounds before the enemy could engage. This
significant victory over the Mexican Navy is believed
to have prevented a second invasion of Texas. After
this battle, Mexico would never pose a threat to Texas
again.

The second Texas Navy was commissioned by

Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar in 1838 and
placed under the command of Commodore Edwin
Ward Moore from 1839 to 1843. This fleet was
comprised of brigs Potomac, Wharton, and Archer;
the steamship Zavala; schooners San Jacinto, San
Antonio, San Bernard, and Louisville; and the flagship
Austin. For three years this fleet raided the Mexican

In 1845 Texas became the 28th state of the United

States and the few remaining vessels were transferred
to the U.S. Navy. But that is not the end. In
1958, Texas Governor Price Daniel established a
commemorative organization intended to preserve
Texas naval history. The Texas Navy, Inc. was formed
under the authority of the Texas Secretary of State in
1972 and is currently headquartered in Galveston, TX.

Continued from page 6...

Soultions to Puzzles on Page 15

Healthier work and life

After identifying the risk factors
affecting you most, its important to
find a solution that will fit into your
operation. There is no one size fits all
answer to reducing fatigue and increasing endurance. In reality, some of these
risk factors in the industry may not be
able to be eliminated or reduced, but
once identified, awareness of key risks
makes the work environment safer for
everyone.
Jo Ann Salyers is an independent consultant
and owner of Salyers Solutions, LLC, with 35
years in the safety, training and risk management areas of the maritime industry. Jo Ann is a
certified USCG CEMS Expert and holds CEMS
Coaches and Awareness sessions throughout the
country. Visit http://salyerssolutions.com
Article adapted from its original publication in
Professional Mariner. Used with permission.

The Martin Mariner is a quarterly

publication of the HSSEQT
department at Martin Marine,
a division of Martin Operating
Partnership L.P.
Contests and giveaways valid only for
current employees of Martin Marine.

Questions and submissions:

joel.burdeaux@martinmlp.com
Vice President - Marine
Rick Freed
HSSEQT Manager
Lester Fulfer
Manager - Safety & Training
Shawn Roberts
easy

medium

HSSEQT Analyst
Rebecca Hellman
HSSEQT Creative Associate
Joel Burdeaux

hard

Martin Marine
HSSEQT
2904 N. 23rd Street
La Porte, TX 77571

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