Reminder: MSIB XVIII Issue 017 still in effect

Good day.

MSIB XVIII Issue 017- Mississippi River Regulated Navigation Area Vessel Requirements is still in effect, as per MSIB Issue 001- Summary of Active MSIBs. Please ensure widest distribution of the attached.

 

MSIB XVIII Issue 017

Mississippi River Regulated Navigation Area Vessel Requirements
Recently, the Captain of the Port (COTP) New Orleans has received several reports of vessels underway on the lower Mississippi River with a main engine unable to immediately achieve maximum ahead revolutions as requested by the Pilot on board. During our investigation of these matters, it was determined that the main engines were all in good working order, but were unable to answer the full range of commands because of some type of automatic acceleration-limiting program that prevented the main engine from responding immediately.

Requirements

In accordance with 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.810, Mississippi River, LA-Regulated Navigation Area (RNA), Masters are reminded that before embarking a Pilot when entering or getting underway in the Mississippi River RNA,  main propulsion machinery must be available to immediately respond to the full range of maneuvering commands and that any load-limiting programs or automatic acceleration-limiting programs that would limit the speed of response to engine orders beyond that needed to prevent immediate damage to the propulsion machinery are capable of being overridden immediately.  Prior to entering or transiting the Mississippi River, the attending Pilot shall be provided information on how any load-limiting programs or automatic acceleration-limiting programs effect the operation of the main propulsion plant and the mechanism/procedure used to override the system should that become necessary for safe navigation.

Furthermore, each self-propelled vessel of 1,600 or more gross tons subject to 33 CFR Part 164 shall also comply with the following:

1. While under way in the RNA, each vessel must have an engineering watch capable of monitoring the propulsion system, communicating with the bridge, and implementing manual-control measures immediately when necessary. The watch must be physically present in the machinery spaces or in the machinery-control spaces and must consist of at least a licensed engineer.

In addition, the Master shall ensure that the Chief Engineer of the vessel has certified that the following additional operating conditions will be satisfied so long as the vessel is underway within the RNA:

1. The main propulsion plant is in all respects ready for operations including the main propulsion air-start systems, fuel systems, lubricating systems, cooling systems, and automation systems;
2. Cooling, lubricating, and fuel-oil systems are at proper operating temperatures;
3. Main-propulsion standby systems are ready to be immediately placed in service.

For additional information, contact the following:

Vessel Traffic Center Lower Mississippi River (24 hours): (504) 365-2230, VHF-FM ch 05A, 11, or 12
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours):  (504) 365-2200

CAPTAIN W. R. ARGUIN
Captain of the Port New Orleans

 

MSIB XIX Issue 001

Summary of Active Marine Safety Information Bulletins

This Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) summarizes and will maintain all current Marine Safety Information Bulletins.

The following is a list of active Marine Safety Information Bulletins.

MSIB Vol XV, Issue 013: Vessel Anchoring Capabilities, published January 28, 2015.
MSIB Vol XVII, Issue 002: UAS and MTSA Regulated Waterfront Facility Reporting Process, published February 9, 2017.
MSIB Vol XVIII, Issue 017: Mississippi River Regulated Navigation Area Vessel Requirements, published March 9, 2018.
MSIB Vol XVIII, Issue 069: Special Consideration for Inspected Towing Vessels Flammable/Combustible Storage Cabinets, published October 1, 2018.
MSIB Vol XVIII, Issue 080: Krotz Springs Railroad Bridge Repair Efforts and Daylight Transit Closure, Atchafalaya River, published November 2, 2018.

This MSIB supersedes MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 001 and cancels all MSIBs not listed above that were issued prior to January 1, 2019.  Unless otherwise cancelled, all MSIBs issued on or after January 1, 2019, particularly those safety measures pertaining to high water levels on the Mississippi River, remain in effect.

For further information, contact the following:

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Coast Guard Baton Rouge Waterways Management: (225) 298-5400 x230
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (24 hours): (504) 365-2230, VHF-FM Ch-12
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2542

CAPTAIN K. M. LUTTRELL
Captain of the Port New Orleans

For a current list of MSIBs in the COTP New Orleans Zone visit: https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/new-orleans under “Safety Notifications”

 

• MSIB Vol XIX Issue 001 Summary of Active MSIBs.pdf
• MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 017 Mississippi River RNA requirements.pdf