MSIB XXV Issue 024 Safety Zone: Safety Zone: Morgan City-Port Allen Route MM 54.5 to MM 55.5

Safety Zone:

Morgan City-Port Allen Route MM 54.5 to MM 55.5

 

1. A safety zone will be enforced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 5, 2025 and April 6, 2025 on all waters of the Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route from mile marker 54.5 to 55.5 in the vicinity of the Morley Bridge. This safety zone is necessary to protect spectators, race participants, vessels, and the marine environment during the Morley Mill Town Showdown drag boat races. The following requirements of the safety zone will be enforced by the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs as Patrol Commander who may be contacted on Channel 14 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) and State Channel INTEROP 10 by the call sign "PATCOM.":

1. 1. All persons and vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The "official patrol vessels" consist of any Coast Guard, state or local law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved by the Captain of the Port, Sector New Orleans, to patrol the event.
   2. Spectator vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do so only with prior approval of the Patrol Commander and when so directed by that officer and will be operated at a no wake speed in a manner which will not endanger participants in the event or any other craft.
   3. No spectator shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the through transit of participants or official patrol vessels in the regulated area during the effective dates and times, unless cleared for entry by or through an official patrol vessel.
   4. The Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
   5. Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the regulated area specified in paragraph (1) of this bulletin, but may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable channel.
   6. The Patrol Commander may terminate the event or the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or property.
   7. The Patrol Commander will terminate enforcement of the safety zone at the conclusion of the event.

For further information, contact the following:

West Baton Rouge Sheriffs: (225) 603-7126, VHF-FM CH 14 and State Channel INTEROP 10

Coast Guard Baton Rouge Waterways Management: (225) 298-5400 x 230

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2278

Coast Guard Sector Command Center New Orleans (24 hours): (504) 365-2209