Assessing a 25-Foot Ranger Tug for the Passenger Trade
Ranger 25 Orientation and Guest Planning
Goals:
- Meet USCG safety equipment requirements to ensure vessel is in compliance.
- Assess vessel for use in passenger trade, paying special attention to passenger safety and comfort. Noise, vibration, and engine smell are our three top considerations.
- Address owner’s concerns and priorities for client events.
Video of initial assessment available here.
Punch List:
- Obtain missing equipment, perform repairs, schedule routine cleanings as listed below.
Next Steps:
- Establish standard operating procedures for client trips for continuity between captains and crew.
- Establish standard operating speeds based on rpm’s and noise reduction for passenger comfort.
- Establish standard routes for specified lengths of trips. Practice timings.
- Establish passenger orientation speech.
Vessel Areas:
- Bow
- Anchor system
- “Up” foot control on bow inoperable.
- Check specifications on that anchor – if too small, move under cockpit seat.
- Check vessel recommendations on anchor size, holding capacity, possibly purchase.
- Running lights
- Port running light is upside down.
- Forward
- Passenger safety is excellent
- Rails, space are excellent
- This area will not be available for passenger use.
- Midships
- Passenger safety is excellent
- Rails, space are excellent
- This area will not be available for passenger use.
- Boarding
- Passenger safety is excellent
- Steps stable
- Handholds excellent
- Aft, Cockpit
- Passenger safety is excellent
- Handholds sturdy
- Steps are solid and well-placed
- Beverage no spill holders available
- American flag needs replacing, stow when not underway – close to 25 inches on the fly is correct for this vessel size.
- Fly courtesy flag of host country higher than your country flag only when you are a guest in that country.
- No flag shall be flown above the American flag, especially partisan political activity, for passenger comfort and to avoid uncomfortable harassment.
- Burgees, yacht club flags are usually half to a quarter the size of the national flag or ensign; they must be smaller and are never flown on the stern.
- Seating
- Aft seat is uncomfortably high; cooler underfoot would solve.
- Two compact deck chairs could fit – steps a bit low for seating.
- Tiny but stable table might be useful.
- Location of throwable ring, light
- Could be installed on aft or side rail.
- PFD accessibility excellent
- Comfort – air, view, circulation
- Gybe when running downwind
- Shade, sunscreen
- Install sides as necessary
- Hydration, snacks, ginger ale, water is available
- Helm
- Radio chatter when running lights engaged – possible spark – check wiring
- Last switch on one panel is not labeled
- Shifting cable – smooth, then jerky – possibly try to adjust
- Engine
- Possible seepage around lift pump.
- Label and lubricate thru-hull fittings.
- Replace corroded engine mounts.
- Add anti-vibration engine mounts.
- Affix noise reduction barrier to hull.
- Affix engine compartment gasket to hatch.
- Rubber undercoating for engine hatch.
- Rubber-backed carpet for cockpit area.
- Belowdecks
- Steps, handholds
- First cushion on port needs wipeable corner cover.
- Steps, handholds
- Head
- Privacy
- Aft porthole needs a doily or covering.
- Seat space
- Hand holds
- System procedure, supplies
- Intake issue.
- Need tiny tiny trash can.
- Need thick dark paper envelopes for ladies.
- Privacy
Aesthetics
- Belowdecks
- Staining around ports, windows
- No plastic flatware
- Everything spotless (basket on table needs bleaching)
- Either luxury brands or remove labels from products and re-label
- Medium tray for moving service items around boat
- No red wine
- No spray sunscreens
- No clutter
- Eyebrow polish/paint/rejuvenate
- Handle on settee window needs re-affixing
- Cockpit teak needs treatment
- Small fan at helm
- Small fan at copilot seat
USCG Compliance
- Rules and Regulations
- PFD’s for every passenger – appropriate size
- Children 6 and under must wear out of cabin on inland waters
- Children 13 and under must wear out of cabin when offshore
- Boat policy will be 13 and under wear at all times outside of cabin.
- Sound producing device – have horns and integrated horn
- Running lights, anchor light – port light need righting
- Type IV Throwable – need to obtain
- Flares – three good for day and night – have one, need two more
- Fire Extinguishers – need two
- Holding tank – need to verify is operational, procedure to empty
- Smoke alarms – check for ones designed for marine application
- Carbon Monoxide detectors – check for ones designed for marine application
- Current registration on board and affixed
- Current documentation on board
- PFD’s for every passenger – appropriate size
- Not Compliance – But Recommended for Safety, Efficient Operation
- High power handheld beam light
- Two high lume rechargeable flashlights
- Handheld VHF
- Ring-type throwable with light
- Bleeding Control – two tourniquets, wound packing material, elastic bandage
- First Aid Kit – sting relief, the usual supplies
- Engine maintenance log book
- Vessel travels log book
- Guest passenger log book
Vessel Procedures
Establish Procedures for Vessel
- Set up digital alerts for any expirables and services
- Add captain(s) to vessel insurance
- Copy of captain’s credentials and drug testing consortium letter on file
- Crew must enroll in random drug testing program
- Copy of crew’s drug testing program letter on file
- Captain and Crew attire expectations
- Captain and Crew gratuities policy
- Add captain(s) to vessel insurance
- Passenger Comfort
- Climate – shade, a/c, ambient temperature
- Speed for comfort
- Speed for noise
- Speed for conversation
- Speed/rpm’s for vibration – set chart of speeds
- Motion sickness
- Fulcrum determination
- Breeze determination
Passenger Orientation Speech
- Items to demonstrate and cover
- VHF
- Pfds
- Flares
- Throwables
- Fire extinguishers
- Holding tank and toilet
- Sound producing device
Routes and Other
- Time Each run
- South to Crescent Beach – timings
- North to Cap’s, Airport, Guana – timings
- East and South to Lighthouse, Conch House
- Determine distance, comfort, hours
- Lunch stops – Kingfish, Beaches, Caps, Kates, Southern Destinations
- What to Expect Information for her Website
- FAQ’s
- What to wear
- Weather, temperature, winds
- Environment
- Sea Life
- Boat Traffic
- Bridges, Developments, Natural Areas
- Schedule
- Specialty Events
- Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate
- Blankets
- Binoculars
To be Determined and Practiced on Board on a Routine Schedule:
- Emergency Procedures
- Man overboard
- Written procedures checklist
- Fire
- Written procedures checklist
- Taking on water
- Written procedures checklist
- Collision
- Written procedures checklist
- Medical Emergency
- Written procedures checklist
- Running aground
- Written procedures checklist
- Engine Problem
- Written procedures checklist
- Weather Situations
- Written procedures checklist
- Man overboard
Pre-departure passenger safety orientation laws:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/185.506
Guide for Passenger Comfort on Ships
United States Power Squadron Flag Etiquette
https://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html

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