A Daily Publication of the New Orleans Board of Trade

NOBRA Pilots: High Water Restrictions to remain in place until Carrolton Gauge reaches 12 feet and falling.

• Mooring/unmooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities and any berth that requires the use of a mooring boat along the NOBRA Pilot’s Route shall be restricted to daylight hours.

 Pilot Recommendations:
Bar Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet.
 
Crescent Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet.
 
NOBRA Pilots: Recommended loading draft is as follows: 50 feet from New Orleans to Mile 175 ; 47 Feet from Mile 175 - Mile 180; 45 feet from Mile 180 to Mile 234.  Vessels with a draft of 41 feet or greater are required to transit the Baton Rouge Harbor (Mile 180 - Mile 234) during daylight hours only.

NOBRA Pilots - High Interest Vessels
Vessels classified as HIGH Interest by the Coast Guard, A Federal Authority, Any State Authority, or the NOBRA Board of Directors, may require 2 pilots and be limited to daylight transit only along the NOBRA Route.  Any customer of the NOBRA Pilots, docks, berths, moorings, agents, owner, or owner representative may petition the NOBRA Board of Directors to establish or remove the HIV classification.  PER THE NOBRA PILOTS, A VESSEL ONLY REQUIRING A CREW CONTROL SECURITY PLAN (CCSP) BY THE COAST GUARD WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE 2 PILOT RULE.   

Federal Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft:50 feet from the Sea Buoy to Mile 175; 45 feet from Mile 175 – Mile 232.4; and 40 feet from Mile 232.4 – Mile 233.8.

• Starting on May 5th, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. and continuing through October 5th, 2025:
  • All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed between MM 23 and MM 24.
  • All vessels shall avoid overtaking or meeting within 1,000 feet of the work barges.
  • Ostrica Anchorage will be CLOSED for the duration of this work.
  • These restrictions are in place 24/7.

1. Towing vessels should not transit between two anchored ships.
2. Towing vessels less than 79 feet in length should maintain a one-foot minimum freeboard at the lowest point. Towing vessels should only operate with less than one foot of freeboard if the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) specifically addresses the hazardous conditions associated with high river currents and low freeboard.
3. Towing vessels should maintain a minimum barge-to-horsepower (HP) ratio of 300 HP per standard barge and 700 HP per oversize barge for downbound transits. Empty barges may be calculated at ½ the horsepower requirements to that of a loaded barge when computing the overall horsepower requirement. Towing vessels with Z-drive propulsion types may be treated as having a horsepower 20% greater than the engine’s rating for the purpose of this calculation. VTS LMR may, on a case-by-case basis, approve exceptions up to 400 HP based on conditions and size of tow. VTS LMR may make horsepower exceptions to allow pushing up to 2 standard barges more than calculated for tows that are fully squared off.
4. As per 33 CFR 165.803 (b)(3) upbound vessels must be able to make an average of 3 MPH (2.6 knots).
5. Vessels should maintain a minimum safe distance upriver of stationary objects (such as anchor blocks, midstream berths, etc.) of twice the tow length. If the minimum distance allowed is impracticable, then a second assist vessel should be utilized.
6. Lite boat vessels engaged in a down streaming maneuver that is greater than 150 feet from a bank shall operate under the following provisions:
   • Limited to daylight as much as possible.
   • Rescue vessel should be available during these operations.
   • Vessel should be 65 feet or greater in length overall (LOA) and at least 1,200 HP.
7. As per 33 CFR 165.810 (d) (2), vessels are prohibited from entering South Pass (from the Gulf) if the vessel has a speed of less than 10 miles per hour (MPH) (8.7 knots).
8. A VTS measure may be established prohibiting cargo operations in the anchorages without COTP permission between SWP and mile marker 167.5 AHP (bunkers and ship stores are exempt).
9. Vessels should be separated by 1,000 feet in anchorages throughout the LMR when practicable. 

1. For barge fleets located between MM 88 and MM 240 AHP, additional high-water requirements are found in 33 CFR 165.803(m). 
2. For all other barge fleets (below MM 88), a Safety Zone in accordance with 33 CFR 165.20 or other Traffic Control Measures may be established to enhance the safety of barge fleets. The 33 CFR 165.803 regulations requiring stricter barge fleeting standards on the LMR may be extended to include all barge fleets in these areas. 
3. Downbound vessels planning to transit Algiers Point are prohibited from towing on the hawser without prior permission from Vessel Traffic Service LMR. 
4. In addition to the requirements contained in 33 CFR 161.13, the following measures apply to vessels transiting through or within the Algiers Point VTS Special Area: 
5. No vessel shall enter or get underway without prior approval of the VTS and must abide by any direction or measures issued by the VTS.
6. A vessel awaiting a VTS direction to proceed must keep clear of other vessels transiting.
7. Vessels shall not enter the Special Area if a hazardous vessel operating condition or circumstance exists, as defined in 33 CFR161.2, without prior approval from the COTP.
8. Vessels shall not meet, cross, or overtake any other vessel in the Special Area without prior approval from the VTS. If the VTS approves the maneuver, before executing the maneuver, vessels shall communicate on the designated bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone frequency intended navigation movements and any other information necessary to make safe passing arrangements. 
9. As required by 33 CFR 165.810(b)(3), tows are prohibited from transiting VTS special areas by a vessel with insufficient power to permit ready maneuverability and safe handling (unable to maintain an average speed of at least 3 MPH (2.6 knots). 
10. For all vessels operating in the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) below Mile Marker (MM) 233.9 Above Head of Passes (AHP), including South Pass and Southwest Pass, additional high-water requirements are found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.810. 
11. All Deep Draft vessels to include Ocean-going Towing vessels should have three means to hold position unless moored to shore or a mooring buoy. 
12. Downbound Ocean-going Towing vessels towing on the hawser should consult with the appropriate pilot association to determine the need for assist tugs. 
13. Towing vessels should review MSIB Vol XIX, Issue 007, “Towing Vessel Safety Advisory During High Water,” issued 15 January 2019 for additional provisions.

Lower Mississippi River Bridges Air-Draft Calculations:
​The above clearances were calculated this morning using gauge readings provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a guide the pilots require at least an additional 3 feet of clearance for the Vessel's Air Draft.  The individual pilot assigned to the vessel will make the final determination of the vessel's allowable clearance.  Actual clearance should be verified when ordering pilot services. 

NOAA PORTS INFORMATION:
To Access the NOAA Ports System for the Lower Mississippi River, go to the following link: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/index.shtml?port=lm

National Information:
Marsec Level – 1

VESSELS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS:

VESSELS SCHEDULED TO DEPART IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS: