VTS Lower Mississippi River: 5 Day Outlook Thursday, November 9, 2023

READ THIS LINE FIRST!!!! The below table provides updated information to the referenced MSIB or other operation impacting navigation. This outlook is the LATEST and MOST ACCURATE Information.

Subscribe to the VTS LMR 5-day outlook email here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/subscriber/new Subscribers should enter their preferred email, then ensure “VTS LMR” is selected under ‘Mariners Tab’ and submit.

Location	Date	Time	Closure or Restriction
Water Barge Distribution MM 49.2 MSIB - 058	October 6 - TBD	24/7	Slow safe speed/wide berth to minimize wake
Saltwater Barrier Sill MM 63.5-64 MSIB - 056	October 1 – November 30	24/7	One-way traffic; ships shall check in with contact pilots onboard JS CHATRY on VHF-FM 67 or 71
Bank Stabilization Stone Placement MM 84.2, LDB (Poydras) MSIB - 060	November 13 – December 15	0700–1900	One way traffic at slowest safe speed when passing work site. If further assistance is needed, vessels can contact New Orleans VTS on VHF CH. 12 or the on-scene vessels M/V KACIE LUHR and M/V MEGAN DAWN on VHF CH 13, 16, or 72.
Bank Stabilization Stone Placement MM 108.5, RDB (Avondale) MSIB - 060	POSTPONED UNITL November 11-13	0700–1900	One way traffic at slowest safe speed when passing work site. If further assistance is needed, vessels can contact New Orleans VTS on VHF CH. 12 or the on-scene vessels M/V KACIE LUHR and M/V MEGAN DAWN on VHF CH 13, 16, or 72.
College Town Light MM 225-228.3 MSIB - 041	Until further notice	24/7	All towing vessels in vicinity of College Town Light (MM 225 to MM228.3) are reminded and advised to keep flat on the bank and provide a wide berth to deep-draft traffic.
Alliance Anchorage MSIB - 056	Until further notice	N/A	Closed to all vessels
Point Celeste Anchorage MSIB - 034	Until further notice	N/A	OPEN to all vessels.
Harvey Lock  USACE Navigation Bulletin NO. 23-129	Until further notice	Daylight hours only	OPEN for navigation, Daytime Only Slowest safe speed from passing SHIPS to minimize wake
Algiers Lock USACE Navigation Bulletin NO. 20-197	October 2 – December 1	N/A	Closed to all traffic (Emergency Repairs)

 

MSIB 060: Mississippi River – Bank Stabilization Stone Placement

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’ bank stabilization & stone placement work at the locations listed below. Construction efforts will involve multiple vessels and barges with anchors deployed encroaching into the navigation channel. The below dates and restrictions may vary based on operations. Daily updates to the schedule and restrictions will be messaged via the Vessel Traffic Service 5-day outlook email.

 

All interested navigation stakeholders are highly encouraged to subscribe the VTS 5-day outlook email here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/subscriber/new . Subscribers should enter their preferred email, then ensure “VTS LMR” is selected under ‘Mariners Tab’ and submit.

 

 

 

 

All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed when passing the work site. The on-scene vessels M/V KACIE LUHR and M/V MEGAN DAWN can be contacted by concerned traffic on VHF Channel 13, 16, and 72.

MSIB 058: Mississippi River Saltwater Intrusion

Mariners are advised to operate with caution in the vicinity of the locations listed below until further notice. The USCG will provide updates of locations with active mitigation efforts via industry wide email. It is recommended that vessel operators working in support of mitigation efforts at or near these locations maintain a proper lookout and notify passing traffic when precautions, such as transiting at slowest safe speed may be needed. Communications should be made on VHF Channel 12 with VHF Channel 67 as a backup. If immediate assistance is needed, operators should contact the Lower Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Service.

Location	River MM (AHP) & Bank
Port Sulfur	49.2 RDB
Pointe A La Hache	49.7 LDB
Belle Chasse	75.5 RDB
Dalcour	80.9 LDB
St. Bernard	88.0 LDB
New Orleans Algiers	95.7 RDB
Gretna	96.7 RDB
West Jefferson	99.1 RDB
New Orleans Carrollton	104.7 LDB
East Jefferson	105.4 LDB

 

MSIB 056: LA- MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 63.8, AHP – SALTWATER BARRIER SILL CONSTRUCTION

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’ raising of the emergency Saltwater Barrier Sill at Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker (MM) 63.8 Above Head of Passes (AHP). The new sill is being constructed to an elevation of minus 30’ with a 620’ wide, minus 52’ cut along the Left Descending Bank (LDB) allowing for deep draft vessels to transit. The following channel restrictions will be in effect beginning on September 23 at 1200:

• All vessels are limited to one way traffic from MM 63.3 to 64.2 AHP confined to a channel 620’ wide. The channel is marked on its corners 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 Cutterhead Dredge J.S. CHATRY on VHF Channels 67 or 71 at the following points:
    • Southbound Vessels – Wills Point, MM 68 AHP
    • Northbound Vessels – Poverty Point, MM 59 AHP
  • All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed between MM 63.0 to 65.5 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.

Buoy Locations: 29 42 11.2845N, 089 58 44.1128W

                           29 42 01.5399N, 089 58 38.3448W

                           29 42 15.2087N, 089 58 37.7989W

                           29 42 04.2639N, 089 58 31.7873W

Advance Notice:

Revetment

Tentatively starting in December 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) will begin revetment operations on the Lower Mississippi River. Once the schedule is confirmed, the dates will be promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard via Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM), Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB), and/or industry-wide email.