Please see the below and attached USCG MSIB for the upcoming construction of a saltwater barrier at Mile 63.7 AHOP.  We will pass along more information as it becomes available.

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Volume XXV Issue: 071 Time: 1000 Date: September 28, 2025
VTS Safety Measure – Saltwater Barrier Sill Construction –
MM 63.7 AHP LMR
The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Safety Measures to protect persons and
vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ construction of a Saltwater
Barrier Sill at Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker (MM) 63.7 Above Head of Passes (AHP). The following channel
restrictions will be in effect beginning on September 28 at 10:00 a.m.
1) All vessels are limited to one way traffic from MM 63.65 to 63.91 AHP confined to a channel 900’ wide. The
channel follows the Left Descending Bank (LDB) and is marked on its West side by four white buoys with fixed
white all-around lights.
- All vessels transiting this zone shall check-in with and take direction from the Contact Pilot onboard the J.S.
CHATRY 30 minutes prior to arrival on Channel 67 & 72.
- All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed between MM 63.5 to 65 AHP.
- Alliance Anchorage is closed to all traffic.
- The Contact Pilot is the Coast Guard’s Designated Representative.
- These measures will remain in effect until rescinded/adjusted at a future date.
The channel buoy locations are as follows:
1. 29 42 10.6446 N 089 58 43.5696 W
2. 29 42 07.5379 N 089 58 41.7516 W
3. 29 41 55.5218 N 089 58 34.6319 W
4. 29 41 53.7697 N 089 58 33.6553 W
Contact pilots are on-site 24/7 aboard the dredge throughout operations and can be contacted with the following:
Bruno L. Touchard (Day Shift)
985-215-9798
Damon R. Williams (Night Shift)
504-756-9821
Johnathan Crockett is the Project Manager on site and can be reached at 224-221-9834.
All are reminded that future draft restrictions may be required as a result of the sill’s final height. The U.S. Coast Guard
will coordinate closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide updates as soon as that information becomes
available.
Updates will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and/or Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners. For further
information, contact:
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hour): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hour): (504) 365-2514, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or WWMNOLA@uscg.mil
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD SECTOR NEW ORLEANS
MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Volume XXV Issue: 071 Time: 1000 Date: September 28, 2025
VTS Safety Measure – Saltwater Barrier Sill Construction –
MM 63.7 AHP LMR
CAPTAIN G. A. CALLAGHAN
Captain of the Port New Orleans