Port Alert
New Orleans, LA / Mississippi River
November 14, 2025
Notices
Please note the below update to the scheduled upcoming full channel closure at MM. 0.0 – MM 2.0 AHOP for dredging operations. We will pass along more information as it becomes available.
Mariners are advised of operational changes to MSIB Volume XXV, Issue 074: VTS Safety Measure -- Temporary Closure MM 0 to MM 2 AHP. Operations have been delayed by 24 hours. Please refer to the updated schedule below.
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:
Mariners are advised of operational changes to MSIB Volume XXV, Issue 074: VTS Safety Measure -- Temporary Closure MM 0 to MM 2 AHP. Operations have been delayed by 24 hours. Please refer to the updated schedule below.
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 17th at 12:00 p.m. to November 18th at 6:00 a.m.: One-way traffic between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
- November 18th 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 18th 6:00 p.m. to November 20th 6:00 a.m.: Channel will be OPEN to vessel traffic.
- November 20th 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 21st 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 Texas via VHF-FM channels 67 and 88, or at (910) 547-9917 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 days 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 industry-wide email and/or Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
For additional information, contact:
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 1005, 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
