Notice to Navigators: Gulf and Intracoastal Waterways

NOTICE TO MARINERS
GULF AND INTRACOASTAL WATERWAYS

LNM 13-22

 

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

 

MS – DOG KEYS PASS TO WAVELAND – Gulfport Ship Channel

The Coast Guard will be making the following change permanent after May 10, 2022: Discontinue Gulfport Obstruction Light (LLNR-9785) in approximate position 30-14-03.0042N/088-59-00.023W.

 

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. Navy Operations

Commencing May 1, 2022 and continuing until May 20, 2022, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division will be conducting surface and subsurface testing operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City Operations Area; 3A, bound by the following positions:

• 30-09-08.800N 085-47-13.700W,
• 30-08-39.000N 085-46-40.200W,
• 30-08-39.900N 085-47-48.800W and
• 30-08-09.200N 085-47-14.800W.

Testing will result in restricted maneuverability and should be considered a hazard to navigation. The vessel will display the appropriate day shapes per the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) while the operations are being conducted. The main surface craft supporting these test/operations and serving as the surface vessel is the M/V PATRIOT. Mariners are requested to maintain at least a one nautical mile closest point of approach of the PSC 08, PSC 05, PSC 07 and PSC 09, while operations are in progress. All U.S. Navy support craft will monitor VHF-FM Channel 16.

 

FL - GULF OF MEXICO - U.S. Air Force Operations

The U.S. Air Force will be conducting air-to-surface weapons testing in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 20 nautical miles south of Destin, Florida. The times the hazard area will be active are April 4-8, 2022, from 8:00 a.m., until 1:00 p.m., each day. The hazard area in the Gulf of Mexico is bound by the following approximate positions:

• 30-18-23-4N 086-24-59.4W,
• 30-12-02.4N 086-15-12.0W,
• 29-54-46.2N 086-15-12.0W,
• 29-47-14.4N 086-22-16.8W,
• 29-47-14.4N 086-42-49.8W,
• 29-54-50.4N 086-46-39.6W,
• 30-12-22.2N 086-46-31.2W and
• 30-18-25.2N 086-38-56.4W.

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. GEORGE ISLAND - Dredge Operation

Commencing April 1, 2022 and continuing until May 1, 2022, Dredge INTEGRITY will begin maintenance dredging of Sikes Cut. Material will be placed on the west side of Sikes Cut inlet. Floating and submerged pipeline will be used to complete the work. The dredge plant can be contacted on VHF[1]FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting this area. For further information, mariners can contact the USACE Panama City Site Office, at (850) 784-9780.

 

LA - GULF OF MEXICO - Beach Nourishment Operations – UPDATE

Attached as an enclosure to this LNM, notification from Weeks Marine, Inc., West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment Project (BA-0197) Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana.

 

LA - SOUTH PASS - Channel Condition

Two red unlit buoys have been temporarily established in the vicinity of Depot Point Light 14 (LLNR-12650), to mark shoaling. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

LA - SHIP SHOAL - SOUTH PELTO - TRINITY EAST ISLAND - WEST BELLE HEADLAND - TIMBALIER ISLAND - Dredge Operation – UPDATE

Attached as an enclosure to this LNM, notification from Weeks Marine, Inc., Terrebonne Basin Barrier Island and Beach Nourishment/West Belle Headland Restoration (TE-143/TE-118) Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana.

 

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

Based on information provided by the National Weather Service, the Aatchafalaya River Gauge has reached and is forecasted to remain above 3.0 feet. In accordance with 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.811, the following highwater restrictions are in place for the designated Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) that encompasses the Atchafalaya River in the vicinity of the Morgan City Triple Span Bridges (The Bridges), including the waters extending 2,000 yards north of the Highway 90 Bridge and 4000 yards south of the Morgan City Railroad Bridge (MCRRB). Towing on a hawser is not authorized, except that one self-propelled vessel may tow one other vessel without barges northbound. Max length of tow remains 1,180 feet, when transiting The Bridges. Max length of double wide tows (70 feet wide) remains 600 feet, when transiting The Bridges. Tows with a box in the lead must not exceed 400 feet in length. Minimal available horsepower requirements in accordance with 33 CFR table 165.811(e) are in effect. A 5% variance from the available horsepower is authorized. Towing certain dangerous cargo (CDC) barges as defined in 33 CFR 160.202, shall have at least 600 horsepower available or three times the length of tow, whichever is greater. Use of assist boats to meet required horsepower criteria: North and southbound tandem tows shall have at least 50% of the required horsepower wired-in when transiting The Bridges. Once the condition is met, an assist boat may be used to make up the remaining horsepower deficit. North and southbound double wide tows shall have at least 75% of the required horsepower wired-in when transiting The Bridges. Once that condition is met, an assist boat may be used to make up the remaining horsepower deficit. To be in compliance with this requirement, tows must ensure the assist boat is ready and in position to provide immediate assistance throughout the entire transit through the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA). A strong eddy exists, at Mile 99.0, on the Atchafalaya River. Any tows greater than 400 feet, traveling northbound on the Atchafalaya River and turning westbound onto the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), at Mile 99.0, must have an assist boat at the turn. Navigating vessels in high water conditions increases the risk of casualties. Mariners are reminded of their ongoing responsibility to conduct and manage their required navigation assessments and voyage plans to prepare bridge teams for encountering known hazards. Vessel operators are strongly encouraged to continuously evaluate the experience of their mariners operating in high water conditions and consider ensuring more experienced wheelmen are on watch during critical stages of the voyage or using "POSTED" wheelmen to transit through high risk areas. For further information on this advisory, mariners can contact Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay, at( 985) 380-5370 or via VHF-FM Channel 11. For the Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay user manual and the complete list of current Marine Safety Information Broadcasts within the COTP Houma Zone, mariners can visit: https://homeport.uscg.mil/port=directory.

 

LA - BAYOU PETIT CAILLOU - Marine Event

On April 10, 2022, from 11:30 a.m., until 5:00 p.m., the Blessing of the Fleet and Boat Parade will take place. The event will take place on Bayou Petit Caillou, in Chauvin, LA. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office will be on-scene enforcing safety regulations. All vessels are requested to transit at their slowest safe speed in the vicinity of the marine event.

 

LA - CALCASIEU RIVER - Mile 1.5 - Jetty Stone Placement Operations – UPDATE

Continuing through approximately April 30, 2022, a U.S. Government Contractor is placing jetty stone along both the East and West Jetties of the Calcasieu River, from approximate Mile 1.5, to the Gulf of Mexico. The contractor will work 7-days a week, 12-hours a day, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. 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. The M/V BLUE DIAMOND can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 9, 16 and 68. 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.

 

TX - UPPER GALVESTON BAY - Oyster Reef Operations – UPDATE

Continuing until approximately May 15, 2022, Wiipica QRI JV LLC., is building an oyster reef out of limestone aggregate on three 15-17 acres of reef pads between Dollar Point and Moses Lake Flood Gate, approximately 1 mile from the shore, in 8 feet of water bound by the following approximate positions: Northwest Corner: 29-27-22.22N 094-53-45.99W,

• Northeast Corner: 29-27-13.35N 094-53-25.01W,
• Southeast Corner: 29-26-53.29N 094-53-42.61W and
• Southwest Corner: 29-27-01.43N 094-54-01.83W.

Material will be transported to a staging area approximately 1/4 mile from reef site in regulation hopper barges where limestone will be loaded with an excavator onto 120 feet by 30 feet by 7 feet deck barges. The deck barges will be transported to the reef site individually with shallow draft tugs and off loaded by means of hydraulic water blasting. Operations will be conducted from 6:00 a.m., until 6:30 p.m., 7-days a week. On-scene vessels will be 3 tugs, 6 deck barges and 6 spud barges. On-scene vessels will monitor VHF-FM Channel 17. Mariners are requested to maintain a 500-foot safe distance. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

 

TX - GIWW - ESPIRITU SANTO BAY – Shoaling

Shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of Espiritu Santo Bay Ferry Channel in the following area: Approximately 3 feet mean low water of shoaling along the east and west side of the channel, between Espiritu Santo Bay Ferry Channel Daybeacon 3 (LLNR-37935) and Espiritu Santo Bay Ferry Channel Daybeacon 9 (LLNR-37950). Approximately 2 feet mean low water of shoaling, along the east side of the channel, between Espiritu Santo Bay Ferry Channel Daybeacon 11 (LLNR-37955) and Espiritu Santo Bay Ferry Channel Daybeacon 17 (LLNR-37970.01). The shoaling is reportedly not marked. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area.