MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 081 LMR VTS Measure Allendale Revetment Operations MM 239.3 AHP

VTS Measure - Allendale Revetment Operations MM 239.2 AHP LMR

Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 238 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 241 AHP.  This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the USACE revetment operations occurring along the right descending bank (RDB) in the vicinity of MM 239.2.  The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM (including weekends).  The platform will be removed at night. 

Effective at 6:00 AM on November 2, 2018, this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:

* All upbound tows shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River ("Baton Rouge Traffic") at MM 219 (Sardine Crossing) on VHF-FM Channel 12.
* All upbound tows with five or more barges intending to transit above MM 238 are restricted to nighttime transits only (between 7:00 PM - 6:00 AM).
* All upbound tows with four (2x2) or less barges may transit above MM 238 during daylight hours (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM) with permission from VTS-LMR.

* All downbound tows shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River ("Baton Rouge Traffic") at Port Hudson Light (MM 254.5) on VHF-FM Channel 12.
* All downbound tows with five (5) or more barges intending to transit below Thomas Point (MM 240) are restricted to nighttime transits only (between 7:00 PM - 6:00 AM).
* All downbound tows with four (2x2) or less barges may transit below Thomas Point (MM 240) during daylight hours (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM) with permission from VTS-LMR, but must flank Thomas Point.  Vessels intending to steer the point shall transit during nighttime hours (7:00 PM - 6:00 AM).

VTS-LMR ("Baton Rouge Traffic") will maintain a queue of vessels waiting to transit Thomas Point and will permit vessels to transit when it is safe to do so via communications on VHF-FM Channel 12. 

Mariners are urged to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution.  Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.  Vessels shall make passing arrangements with the USACE contact pilots on scene (M/V HARRISON and M/V WILLIAM JAMES) via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82.   

For further information, contact:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center:  (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67