Wayne R. Hill

My name is wayne Hill 47 year old male Tug operator on the great lakes Started my lake/river towing as a teen .Worked extensively assisting ships to port as well as multiple barge operation . The waters were primaraly upon the southern shores of lake Michigan . I presently work as a relief pilot in Chicago and as a full time chief engineer on a casino boat . In order to keep my master of towing on my licensee ,I have to complete a towing assessment report .My towing assessment was last done by an old captain in chicago who I work with for many years before I went to the local casino . The towing assessment has many problems with weeding out non-towboat (masters ) We have created an even easier way for non Towing Masters to get on a tow boat with a flick of the pen .All they have to do is have a towing vessel assesment officer fill out there form and now there a Master of towing . I recomend that In order to maintain safety on towing vessels ,The vessel be inspected every 6 months by the coast guard and the Master must have had at least 1080 days of deck hand experience , with at least 120 days of REAL wheel house training . In wake of the am track disaster 20 something years ago ,The radar training that was implemented by the coast guard should be re considered immediately . Rapid radar training in not for towing vessel operators . Its nice to know ,but does not fully apply to solo navigation . I worked on towing vessel for years .As a youth ,it was I that turned on the radar, tuned it in for the captain ,The radar was always ready to go .If only more licensees had that experience .Company owners refuse to properly train a future towboat captains . (The rule states 120 days of wheel house training ) Thats the most critical part and its always been ignored our not enforced by the coastguard. Wayne Hill Master of towing/1600 master great lakes and inland waters limited Chief Engineer 4000 hp/oceans