VTS Lower Mississippi River: 5 Day Outlook Thursday, December 7, 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. Latest updates are in red text.

 

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	Until further notice	24/7	One-way traffic; ships shall check in with contact pilots onboard M/V CANDACE on VHF-FM 67 or 71 See updated Alliance Anchorage info below
Bank Stabilization Stone Placement MM 84.3, LDB (Poydras) MSIB - 060	November 17 – December 22	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.
Bank Stabilization Operations MM 248-250 MSIB – 063	December 5 – December 13	0800-1600	One-way traffic at slowest safe speed. Vessels shall contact the M/V HARVEY SBISA on VHF Ch. 12, 13, or 16 to make passing arrangements.   Tows transiting southbound during working hours (0800-1600) should be no more than four (4) barges wide.
Alliance Anchorage MSIB - 056	Until further notice	N/A	Northern 5,800’ of anchorage is open. Vessels must notify Contact Pilot onboard M/V CANDICE on VHF-FM 67 or 71 to deconflict with Saltwater Sill operations.
Point Celeste Anchorage MSIB - 034	Until further notice	N/A	Northern 3,750’ of anchorage is open. Vessels must notify M/V JS CHATRY on VHF-FM 67 or 71 to deconflict with dredging operations.
Harvey Lock  USACE Nav Bulletin No. 23-129	Until Further Notice	Open during daylight hours	OPEN for navigation during daylight hours. Please contact lockmaster to arrange nighttime passage. Slowest safe speed from passing SHIPS to minimize wake

 

MSIB 062 – Oil Discharge – Gulf of Mexico has been rescinded.

As a result of a recent pipeline survey, there is an exposed line approximately 7NM East of the Delta National Wildlife Refuge at 29-15-37.76N, 089-01-11.83W. The pipeline is currently marked with a 36-inch orange buoy. The M/V LESLIE ANN is on site and can be contacted at 985-677-9105. Mariners should keep clear of the location, transit the area with caution, and refrain from fishing, trawling, or anchoring.

 

No significant concerns to navigation exist at this time. For more information, please see the latest press release at  UPDATE 3: Unified Command monitors, responds to Gulf oil incident.

 

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 to 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: VTS Safety Measure - Saltwater Barrier Sill MM 63.8 (Update 2)

 

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 Operations

Tentatively starting in January 2024, 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.