Notice to Navigators: Gulf and Intracoastal Waterways

NOTICE TO MARINERS
GULF AND INTRACOASTAL WATERWAYS

LNM 12-22

 

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).

 

LA – LAKES PONTCHARTRAIN AND MAUREPAS

In order to provide a more efficient and effective Aids to Navigation signal, the Coast Guard is proposing the following Aid to Navigation Change after completion of Bucktown Marina Groin:

• Establish Bucktown Marina Entrance Light 1 (LLNR -11182) in approximate position 30-01-25.9979N/090-07-20.2391W, showing Fl Q G, Nominal Range 5NM, SG on pile. Establish Bucktown Marina Entrance Light 2 (LLNR -11184) in approximate position 30-01-25.3100N/090-07-20.8000W, showing Fl 2.5s R, Nominal Range 3NM, TR on pile.
• Establish Bucktown Marina Entrance Light 3 (LLNR -11186) in approximate position 30-01-24.3426N/090-07-22.2442W, showing Fl 2.5s G, Nominal Range 3NM, SG on pile. Comments will be taken until May 17, 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 - Dredge Operation

Continuing until approximately May 1, 2022, the Dredge BAYPORT is conducting maintenance dredging of the Pensacola Entrance Channel. The dredge will be pumping material ashore onto the adjacent (down-drift) Perdido Key Beach, FL., west of the entrance channel. Floating and submerged pipeline will be used to complete the work. The dredge and assistant plant can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting this area. For further information, mariners can contact the USACE Irvington Site Office, at (251) 957-6019.

 

AL - MOBILE RIVER - THREE MILE CREEK - Dredge Operation

Commencing April 1, 2022 and continuing until further notice, the Dredge E. STROUD will begin maintenance dredging operations in the Mobile River, in the vicinity of Three Mile Creek. The dredge will be placing material in the upland disposal areas adjacent to the channel. The dredge can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. For further information, mariners can contact the USACE Irvington Site Office, at (251) 957-6019. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting these areas.

 

MS - PASCAGOULA HARBOR - Dredge Operation

Continuing until approximately April 12, 2022, the Dredge MISSOURI H., is dredging in Bayou Casotte. After completion the dredge is expected to work in the Gulf LNG Terminal Channel, dredging until approximately May 31, 2022. The dredge will be disposing material from Bayou Casotte and Gulf LNG into open water placement areas and the Tenneco upland placement area, respectively. Floating and submerged pipeline will be used to complete the work. The dredge and and associated plant can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting this area. For further information, mariners can contact the USACE Irvington Site Office, at (251) 957-6019.

 

LA/MS - MISSISSIPPI SOUND APPROACHES - LAKE BORGNE - Dredge Operation

Commencing March 28, 2022, and continuing until approximately December 28, 2023, Cutterhead Dredge MIKE HOOKS will be performing dredging operations at the south end of Lake Borgne. The pipeline will run directly south from the dredge to a shore connection on the shoreline. The pipeline will be submerged in shallow water and will be marked at approximate 500 feet intervals with a combination of orange buoys and risers with flashing amber lights. Additionally there will be pipeline in the marsh south of the lake. Operations will be conducted 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The Dredge MIKE HOOKS can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16 or at (337) 489-6793. The field point of contact for Mike Hooks, LLC., is Captain Ricky Domingue and can be contacted at (337) 802-3323. The alternate point of contact is Chris Brown, at (337) 485-5121. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

LA - BARATARIA PASS - Sandbagging Operations

Continuing until approximately April 1, 2022, Chevron Pipe Line Company is conducting sandbagging operations in Barataria Pass, at approximate position 29-16-35.09N 089-57-26.36W, between Mile 1.0 and 2.0. Operations will be conducted 7-days a week, during daylight hours only. On[1]scene vessels will consist of BH101-Open Deck Barge, BH104-Spud Barge, Tug ANDREW C., Tug MAGGIE LYNN, Crew Boat JORDIE LYNNE and M/V CAPT BLAKE TERRY. On-scene vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channel 13 and 16. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

LA - WILKINSON BAY - Pipeline and Platform Installation Operations

Commencing April 1, 2022 and continuing until approximately April 1, 2023, Sunland Construction will be installing two elevated platforms and 42- inch diameter natural gas pipelines in the vicinity of Wilkinson Bay, LA., bound by the following approximate positions:

• 29-35-12.84N 089-54-17.87W,
• 29-26-14.07N 089-55-36.55W and
• 29-25-19.49N 089-52-22.95W.

Operations will be conducted 7-days a week, from 7:00 a.m., until 7:00 p.m. There will be 4 dredges, 4 tugs and 4 barges on-scene. The on-scene vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channels 16 and 65. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

LA - MORGAN CITY TO PORT ALLEN ALTERNATE ROUTE - Channel Condition

Based on information provided by the National Weather Service, the Atchafalaya River Gauge is above 3.0 feet. The COTP Houma directs the following temporary emergency vessel movement controls for Berwick Bay, in accordance with 33 CFR 165.811. The following highwater restrictions are in place for the Atchafalaya River in the vicinity of the Morgan City Triple Span Bridges, to include the waters extending 2,000 yards north of the Highway 90 Bridge and 4,000 yards south of the Morgan City Railroad Bridge:

• Towing on a hawser is not authorized, except that one self-propelled vessel may tow one other vessel without barges northbound.
• Max length of northbound tandem tows remains 1,180 feet when transiting the Morgan City Triple Span Bridges.
• Max length of all southbound tows transiting the Morgan City Bridges is 600 feet. Max length of 600 feet and width of 70 feet for double wide tows, regardless of direction, when transiting the Morgan City Triple Span Bridges.
• A strong eddy exists at mile 99.0, on the Atchafalaya River. Any tows 400 feet or greater traveling northbound on the Atchafalaya River turning westbound onto the GIWW, at Mile 99.0, must have an assist boat to turn.
• Max length of 400 feet for all tows with a box in the lead. Minimal available horsepower requirements in accordance with 33 CFR table 165.811(e) are in effect.

Use of shadow boats to meet required horsepower criteria:

• All tows shall have at least 75% of the required horsepower wired in when transiting the bridges. Once that condition is met, a shadow boat may be used to make up the remaining horsepower deficit.
• Towing certain dangerous cargo barges as defined in 33 CFR 160.202, shall have available horsepower of at least 600 or three times the length of tow, whichever is greater.

Mariners shall use extreme caution when transiting the Wax Lake Outlet, due to high beam currents. All mariners unfamiliar with this transit should consider using an assist vessel. Vessels failing to comply with these Vessel Traffic Service controls measures may be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of up to $25,000. For further information, mariners can contact Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay, at (985) 380-5374.

 

LA - GIWW - MORGAN CITY - PORT ALLEN ALTERNATE ROUTE - Lock Guidewall Contruction/Lock Closure – UPDATE

The Bayou Sorrel Lock will be closed to navigation through March 24, 2022, from 8:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m., each day, due to dive operations being performed by a U.S. Government Contractor. Construction will then resume on the southwest guidewall and dolphin on March 25, 2022, with the lock having intermittent closures to navigation Mondays through Fridays, from 6:30 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., each day, until February 28, 2023. Mariners are urged to be cautious and should enter along the north side of the lock and avoid making contact with the southwest side of the guidewall. The Tug M/V EFFIE CLARE will be on site to assist with the contractor’s crane barge and will be monitoring VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. For up-to-date information, mariners can call the Lockmaster, Brad Blanchard, at (225) 659-2581. The points of contact with the USACE New Orleans District are Tim Connell, at (504) 862-2360 and Anh Nguyen, at (504) 862-2153.

 

LA - PORT OF IBERIA - Dredge Operation

Commencing March 28, 2022 and continuing until approximately October 20, 2022, Magnolia Dredge and Dock, LLC., will be performing a Hydraulic Dredging project in the vicinity of Port of Iberia, Commercial Canal going into Rodere Canal and Port Canal. Dredge equipment will be in the area along with floating pipeline and submerged pipeline. Operations will be conducted 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Dredge GRAND TERRE will be excavating material in this area and transporting it via 18-inch black floating pipeline, that will be marked every 60 feet with an orange unlit buoy along with a lighted buoy, with an amber flashing light. The floating pipeline will be managed to allow boat traffic to still pass. Submerged pipelines will be installed at various locations within the project area as the project progresses. The submerged pipeline will be marked with lighted buoys, showing 2 red lights, one 3 feet below the other, on either side of the submerged weighted pipeline crossing, located 100 feet to either side of the connecting line. The dredge, work boats, and Mud Tug will monitor VHF-FM Channel 13. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

LA - SCHOONER BAYOU CONTROL STRUCTURE - Restricted Operations – UPDATE

The restrictive locking procedures have been lifted and the Schooner Bayou Control Structure has resumed normal operations.

 

LA - GIWW - CALCASIEU LOCK - Lock Operation

Continuing through May 19, 2022, the Calcasieu Lock will be closed to navigation, Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m., to 6:00p.m., for a U.S. Government Maintenance Unit performing necessary repairs to the timber guidewalls. The Lockmaster, Charles Hebert, can be reached at (337) 477-1482. The points of contact with the USACE New Orleans District are Vic Landry, at (504) 862-2407 and Robert Swayze, at (504) 862-2060.

 

TX - HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL - Dredge Operation – UPDATE

Commencing April 1, 2022 and continuing until January 25, 2023, the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company L.L.C., will conduct dredging operations for the Houston Ship Channel and Bolivar Roads Expansion Channel Improvement Project. The DREDGE 54 will remove material from the Houston Ship Channel and place material at a designated offshore disposal area using material transport scows towed by tugs. The DREDGE 54 and assistant plant will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. 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. Attached as an enclosure to this LNM, are chartlets depicting the area.