Notice to Navigators: Gulf and Intracoastal Waterways
NOTICE TO MARINERS
Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway
LNM 10-22
SECTION I – SPECIAL NOTICES
This section contains information of special concern to the Mariner.
LA - CALCASIEU SHIP CHANNEL, INCLUDING CALCASIEU BAR, JETTY AND PASS CHANNELS AND THE CALCASIEU WATERWAY - WATERWAYS ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STUDY
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a Waterways Analysis and Management System study of the Calcasieu Ship Channel, including Calcasieu Bar, Jetty and Pass Channels and the Calcasieu Waterway, in its entirety. This study focuses on the areas aids to navigation system, waterborne commerce, marine casualty information, port/harbor resources, emergency response plans, routine and emergency communication capabilities and future development projects. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in a user survey should contact: Sector Houston-Galveston Waterways Management 13411 Hillard St. Houston, TX 77034 (409) 789-9850 D08-DG-SFOGalveston-ATON@uscg.mil.
LA - CALCASIEU RIVER, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, BATON ROUGE TO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTHWEST PASS - Dredge Operation
Attached as an enclosure to this LNM, is a notification from Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company for dredging operations in the Calcasieu River, Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico and Southwest Pass areas.
SECTION V – ADVANCE NOTICES
This section contains advance notice of approved projects, changes to aids to navigation, or upcoming temporary changes such as dredging, etc. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting these areas.
LA – FORKED ISLAND TO ELLENDER – Mermentau Channel
The Coast Guard will be making the following change permanent after May 3, 2022: Discontinue Mermentau Channel Range Front Light (LLNR-20750) in approximate position 29-45-15.685N/093-00-36.431W. Discontinue Mermentau Channel Range Rear Light (LLNR-20755) in approximate position 29-45-29.055N/093-00-36.250W.
SECTION VI - PROPOSED CHANGES
Periodically, the Coast Guard evaluates its system of aids to navigation to determine whether the conditions for which the aids to navigation were established have changed. When changes occur, the feasibility of improving, relocating, replacing, or discontinuing aids are considered. This section contains notice(s) of non-approved, proposed projects open for comment. SPECIAL NOTE: Mariners are requested to respond in writing to the District office unless otherwise noted (see banner page for address).
TX – HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL – San Jacinto River
Due to ongoing barge fleeting in area, the Coast Guard is proposing the following Aid to Navigation Change: Discontinue San Jacinto River Lighted Buoy 15 (LLNR-25600) in approximate position 29-48-06.904N/095-03-58.992W. Comments will be taken until May 3, 2022. Please email comments regarding this proposal to: D08-SMB-District-LocalNoticeFeedback@uscg.mil.
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 - PENSACOLA - PANAMA CITY - TALLAHASSEE - Hazardous Operations
Mariners making plans to transit offshore Tallahassee, Panama City and Pensacola, Florida, are advised of frequent rocket activity and associated hazardous areas which may include free falling debris and/or descending vehicles or vehicle components under various means of control. Offshore Pensacola, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-59-27.0N 087-30-00.0W,
29-48-00.0N 087-16-51.0W,
29-36-32.0N 087-30-00.0W,
29-48-00.0N 087-43-08.0W and
29-59-27.0N 087-30-00.0W.
Offshore Panama City, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-54-25.0N 086-10-58.0W,
29-42-57.0N 085-57-50.0W,
29-31-29.0N 086-10-58.0W,
29-42-57.0N 086-24-07.0W and
29-54-25.0N 086-10-58.0W.
Offshore Tallahassee, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-28-26.0N 084-12-00.0W,
29-16-58.0N 083-58-55.0W,
29-05-31.0N 084-12-00.0W,
29-16-58.0N 084-25-04.0W and
29-28-26.0N 084-12-00.0W.
Mariners should contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-5940, for more information. Specific scheduled information and Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) can be found at the following website https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/jacksonville. Upcoming information and Hazardous Areas are also posted on the Patrick Air Force Base website: https://www.patrick.af.mil, or can be obtained by calling 1 (800) 470-7232.
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 - HOUMA NAVIGATION CANAL - CAT ISLAND PASS - Dredge Operation – UPDATE
Hydraulic Dredge E.W. ELLEFSEN and attendant plant have completed maintenance dredging in the Cat Island Pass, between Mile 0.0 and Mile -4.0. Demobilization will occur through March 14, 2022.
LA - ATCHAFALAYA RIVER - Subaqueous Stone Placement
Continuing until approximately April 30, 2022, a U.S. Government Contractor is placing subaqueous stone along the LDB, of the Atchafalaya River, at Mile 14.0. The contractor will work 7-days a week, 10-hours a day, during daylight hours. The plant will include an anchor barge with hydraulic backhoe. An office barge and various material barges will be on-site, staged along the river at this location. During nighttime hours, the contractor will be staged along the LDB, out of the Atchafalaya River Channel. The M/V MISS NINA can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13, 16 and 78. 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 John Page, at (337) 291-3015.
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. The Bayou Chene Floodgate remains an active construction site. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting the area and proceed at a safe speed. 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 during daylight hours. 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) 3805370 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 - Pile Driving Operation/Diving Operations
From March 14-18, 2022, B and J Marine Services will be replacing a private aid to navigation on the Calcasieu River, in the vicinity of Cameron LNG, at approximate position 30-02-10.71N 093-19-41.80W. A tug with crane barge will conduct diving, pile driving and other construction operations. For additional information, mariners can contact the on-scene vessel via VHF-FM Channel 13. Mariners are urged to transit the area with caution.
TX - GULF OF MEXICO - Adrift Ice Container
A commercial ice container has been reported adrift and last seen in approximate position 26-03-30.0N 097-07-30.0W, on March 3, 2022. The container is reportedly marked with a green chemical light. Mariners are urged to transit this area with caution and report any findings/sightings to their nearest U.S. Coast Guard unit.
TX - NECHES RIVER - PORT OF BEAUMONT - Demolition and Dock Construction Operation
Continuing until approximately June 30, 2023, demolition and new dock construction operations are taking place on the Neches River, at the Port of Beaumont, Main Street Terminal 1. Multiple crane, deck and hopper barges will be utilized as well as a diving barge to support dive operations. Construction operations will occur Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m., until 5:30 p.m., with occasional special operations outside this timeframe. On scene vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channel 13. Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur will issue advisories and measures as needed. Mariners can contact Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur for status updates. Mariners should transit the area at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution.
TX - GALVESTON BAY - Pipe Laying Operations – UPDATE
Continuing through approximately April 15, 2022, Broussard Brothers, Inc., is conducting pipe laying operations in Galveston Bay, from approximate position 29-39-45.0230N 094-53-55.5962W to approximate position 29-25-41.8957N 094-49-41.8381W, from 6:00 a.m., until 8:00 p.m., 7-days a week. Equipment on-scene will consist of 68 feet by 26 feet tugs, 150 feet by 50 feet crane barges, a 210 feet by 50 feet pipe lay barge and 140 feet by 40 feet spud barges with drilling and drill support equipment. Work vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channels 16 and 19. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.
TX - GALVESTON BAY - Dredge Operation – UPDATE
Continuing through approximately April 15, 2022, Broussard Brothers, Inc., is conducting dredging operations in Galveston Bay, from approximate position 29-25-32.0804N 094-50-06.6411W, going west to the Texas City shoreline. Operations will be conducted 24-hours each day, 7-days a week. Equipment on-scene will be a 150-foot by 50-foot dredge and a 120-foot by 30-foot spud barge with excavator. On-scene vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 17. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.