摘要: |
In July 2016, the Coast Guard released the long-awaited Subchapter M final rulemaking that set minimum safety standards for towing vessels. An estimated 5,509 towing vessels engaged in pushing, pulling or hauling alongside, were affected by the new rale. Section 143.230 of the rule says that each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists or an essential system develops problems that require attention. The Coast Guard was very specific about the alarms that needed to be included, listing seven alarms involving the engine, generator, steering fluids, fuel levels and bilge levels. It was about that time when Matrix Industrial Systems in Paducah, Ky., received a call from a towing vessel customer who would have to meet the Coast Guard's Subchapter M compliance mandate for an acceptable alarm system. That phone call was the impetus for Matrix to start putting together its Tug Monitor Alarm System that monitors the conditions listed by the Coast Guard, said Matt Dempsey at Matrix Industrial Systems. |