IRPT: Notice to Navigators
NOTICE TO MARINERS
Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway
LNM 15-22
SECTION VII – GENERAL
This section contains information of general concern to the Mariners. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting these areas.
FL - GULF OF MEXICO - U.S. Air Force Operations
The U.S. Air Force will be conducting munition launches in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 20 nautical miles south of Destin, Florida. The times the hazard area will be active are April 20-22, 2022, from 7:00 a.m., until 11:00 a.m., each day. The hazard area in the Gulf of Mexico is bound by the following approximate positions:
30-18-21.2N 086-38-08.6W,
30-18-21.2N 086-27-53.4W,
30-12-55.1N 086-21-47.0W,
30-00-53.1N 086-21-44.1W,
29-57-49.6N 086-29-55.6W,
29-57-49.6N 086-36-08.7W,
30-00-25.4N 086-43-59.2W and
30-12-55.1N 086-44-02.2W.
All vessels are required to remain clear of the hazard area during the mission periods. Hot range advisories and broadcast notice to mariners will be transmitted via VHF-FM Channel 16 and on HF Upper Sideband 2182 KHZ, by the Eglin Joint Test and Training Operations Control Center, call sign (Wolfcall). Points of contact are Eglin Joint Test and Training Operations Control Center (JTTOCC) at (850) 882-5800 or Carmen Parker, at (850) 882-2557.
FL - ST. ANDREW BAY - Marine Incident
F/V PHI LONG HAI, approximately 50 feet in length, has been reported on fire in St. Andrew Bay, Panama City, FL., in approximate position 30-0936.0N 085-42-24.0W, on April 11, 2022. The F/V is reportedly not marked. Mariners are urged to avoid this area.
FL - GULF OF MEXICO - PERDIDO PASS - Sailing Vessel Aground
A 40-foot S/V has been reported aground in the vicinity of Perdido Pass, FL., southeast of Fort McRee in approximate position 30-18-48.0N 087-1842.0W, on April 12, 2022. The S/V is reportedly not marked. Mariners are urged to transit this area with caution.
FL - GULF OF MEXICO - PENSACOLA - Dredge Operation – UPDATE
Continuing until approximately May 1, 2022, dredging operations are being conducted in the Pensacola Entrance Channel. Beach nourishment operations will be conducted in the vicinity of McRee Beach on Perdido Key, FL. Turtle trawling will be performed in conjunction with dredging under direction of USACE. Operations will be conducted 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Dredge BAYPORT will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13, 16 and 79. For further information, mariners can contact the USACE Irvington Site Office, at (251) 957-6019. Mariners are urged to transit the area at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake after passing arrangements have been made.
LA - GULF OF MEXICO - Survey Operations
Continuing until further notice, survey operations will be conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, bound by the following approximate positions:
27-17-03.0N 090-09-20.4W,
27-20-46.2N 089-58-53.4W,
27-09-10.2N 089-53-19.2W and
27-05-48.6N 090-03-57.0W.
M/V REM SALTIRE is operating two remotely operated vessels. M/V SANCO SPIRIT and M/V VICTORY G., are towing 130 meter long cables. Survey vessels are requesting a wide berth when transiting the area.
LA - SPANISH PASS - Dredge Operation – UPDATE
Attached as an enclosure to this LNM, notification from Weeks Marine, Inc., Barataria Basin Ridge and Marsh Creation Project No. BA-0203 Spanish Pass Increment, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
LA - CAMINADA PASS - BAYOU FIFI PASS - Sandbagging and Matt Laying Operations
Commencing April 14, 2022 and continuing until May 6, 2022, sandbagging and matting operations will be conducted in the vicinity of Caminada Pass, in approximate position 29-12-21.78N 090-02-46.61W. Upon completion sandbagging and matting operations will be conducted in the vicinity of Bayou Fifi Pass, in approximate position 29-16-14.98N 089-57-45.24W. Operations will be conducted 7-days a week, during daylight hours only. BH101-Open Deck Barge, BH104-Spud Barge, Tug GEORGE C., Tug MAGGIE LYNN, Crew Boat JORDIE LYNN and M/V CAPT BLAKE TERRY will be onscene and will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners are urged to transit the area at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and give advanced notification 10-minutes prior to passage.
LA - TERREBONE BAY - Missing Research Buoy
A research buoy has been reported missing in the vicinity of Terrebonne Bay. The buoy is about 1 to 2 feet visible above the waterline and cylindrical in shape, with yellow paint on top. Mariners are urged to contact Benjamin Slotinick, at (530) 902-2905 or David Morgan, at (225) 6108024, if sighted.
LA - ATCHAFALAYA RIVER - BERWICK BAY - Bridge Repair
Continuing until April 14, 2022, construction work is being conducted under the Highway 90 Bridge across the Atchafalaya River, Berwick Bay, at Mile 121.1, Morgan City, Louisiana. A work boat is in the vicinity of the Highway 90 Bridge, pulling old electrical cable. Mariners should use extreme caution and operate at slowest safe speed when navigating in the vicinity of the Triple Span Bridges. Mariners can contact Vessel Traffic Services Berwick Bay via VHF-FM Channel 11 or at (985) 380-537o, for updated information.
LA - GIWW - MORGAN CITY - PORT ALLEN ALTERNATE ROUTE - Lock Condition
Commencing on April 18, 2022 and continuing through May 9, 2022, a U.S. Government Maintenance Unit will be performing repairs to the timbers on the floating concrete guidewall. The majority of the work will be performed from behind the guidewall, and no delays to navigation are expected. Mariners are to use extreme caution when entering and exiting the forebay while the repair work is ongoing. Port Allen Lockmaster, Adam McFarlain, can be reached, at (225) 343-3752, for up-to-date information. The points of contact with theUSACE New Orleans District are Victor Landry, at (504) 862-2407 and Robert Swayze, at (504) 862-2060.
LA - MORGAN CITY TO PORT ALLEN - Submerged Construction Hazards - Vessel Restrictions – UPDATE
The Bayou Chene Floodgate construction site is open to 24-hour traffic with restrictions, as it remains an active construction site. Mariners should exercise caution and navigate at slowest safe speed when transiting at Bayou Chene. Any tow configuration with a combined beam greater than or equal to 54 feet or a length greater than 600 feet are required to have an actively engaged, shadow assist tug when transiting through the construction site. To be in compliance with this requirement, tows must ensure the assist tug is ready and in position to provide immediate assistance throughout the entire transit through the floodgate. Vessels shall not meet or overtake when transiting through the construction site. All vessels intending to transit the Bayou Chene Floodgate area are required to report their dimensions to Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay before entering Bayou Chene. Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay can be reached , at (985) 380-5370 or VHF-FM Channel 11. All allisions with the Bayou Chene Floodgate structure must be reported and will be investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard. For further information on this advisory mariners can contact U.S. Coast Guard Morgan City Waterways Management, at (985) 397-3289.
LA - CALCASIEU RIVER BAR CHANNEL - Dredge Operation – UPDATE
Continuing until approximately April 20, 2022, the Dredge COLUMBIA is working in the Calcasieu River Bar Channel, from Mile -1.7 to Mile -10.0. The dredge will work 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and will give way to passing navigation. The dredge can be contacted on either VHF-FM Channel 13 or 16, for sailing instructions. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. The point of contact with the USACE New Orleans District is Tracy Falk, at (504) 862-2971.
TX - GULF OF MEXICO - GALVESTON HARBOR AND CHANNEL, HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL AND BOLIVAR TO REDFISH - Dredge Operation
Continuing until April 30, 2022, dredging operations are being conducted in Galveston Harbor and Channel, Houston Ship Channel and Bolivar to Redfish. Disposal operations will be at ODMDS No., 1. Turtle trawling may be performed in conjunction with dredging if directed by USACE. Operations will be conducted 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Dredge NEWPORT will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13, 16 and 66. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area and to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake after passing arrangements have been made.