Good day,

 

Please note the below and attached MSIB received from USCG Sector New Orleans regarding the upcoming river closures scheduled to take place at MM 0 – MM 2 AHOP for dredging operations.  Will pass along further information as it becomes available.

The contactor has confirmed that the dredging of the disposal area will proceed as scheduled.  The Coast Guard’s MSIB that contains the dates and times of the restrictions/closures can be found below. 

Please continue to monitor your email for updates.

VTS Safety Measure – Temporary Closure MM 0 – MM 2 AHP

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a series of VTS measures for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 0.0 to MM 2.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the installation of the Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA) discharge pipeline that will be crossing the navigation channel, and are in effect with the following provisions:

·       November 17, at 6:00 a.m., to November 19, at 6:00 a.m.: One-way traffic between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.

·       November 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.

·       November 19, at 6:00 pm, to November 21, at 6:00 a.m.: No traffic restrictions.

·       November 21 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP

·       (Back-up Date) November 23, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.

Contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the dredge R.S. WEEKS via VHF-FM channels 67 and 71, or at (985) 237-5013 for questions or status updates.

 

Pilot boats are exempt from the above provisions during river closures.

 

Vessels intending to arrive or depart the Mississippi River on the day of a closure must arrive at Pilottown (outbound) no later than 5:30 a.m. or Southwest Pass Entrance Light (inbound) no later than 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure.

 

Updates and/or changes to this schedule will be broadcast via COTP Navigation Outlook and/or Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

 

For additional information, contact:

Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67

Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545

Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or WWMNOLA@uscg.mil