SAFETY/OHIO RIVER/GENERAL/SEC OHV BNM 0343-25

THE U.S. COAST GUARD CAPTAIN OF THE PORT PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED THIS SAFETY ADVISORY DUE TO HIGH WATER / HIGH FLOW CONDITIONS AT MONTGOMERY DAM, MILE MARKER 31.7, OHIO RIVER. THE GATE OPENING AT MONTGOMERY DAM IS GREATER THAN 40 FEET. EXERCISE CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING UNDER THE NEWELL HIGHWAY BRIDGE MILE MARKER 44.5 DUE TO THE STRONG SET AND CURRENTS IN THAT AREA. UPBOUND TOW VESSELS ARE ADVISED THAT WHEN PERFORMING A SET OVER OR KNOCK OUT THROUGH THE MONTGOMERY LOCKS, TO SECURE THE HEAD OF THEIR TOWS TO THE LOCK WALL USING THE CLOSEST PIN POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SET OVER OR KNOCK OUT IS INITIATED, AND ENSURE THAT TOWS ARE FULLY SECURED PRIOR TO LEAVING THE VICINITY OF THE LOCKS. DOWNBOUND TOW VESSELS PERFORMING A DOUBLE LOCKAGE ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO HAVE A HELPER BOAT ASSIST THE TOWS IN KEEPING ALONGSIDE THE GUIDE WALL WHILE ENTERING THE LOCKS.

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