Notice to Navigators: Lower Mississippi River

NOTICE TO MARINERS
LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

LNM 09-22

 

SECTION I - SPECIAL NOTICES

This section contains information of special concern to the Mariner.

 

LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - SAFETY ADVISORY/CHANNEL CONDITION

The COTP Lower Mississippi River has issued a high-water Safety Advisory between approximate Miles 869.0 and 725.5. Mariners are advised to transit the Lower Mississippi River with caution due to the hazardous conditions associated with strong currents, severe outdrafts, missing/off station aids to navigation and diving buoys. The COTP with the concurrence of the Lower Mississippi River Committee recommends the following limits for tows when the Memphis Gauge reaches 25 feet when transiting between Miles 869.0 and 725.5. All down-bound tows:

• Towing vessels must have at least 240 h.p., per barge, with a maximum tow size of 36 barges.
• Towing vessels with less than 6,000 h.p., a maximum tow size of 25 barges.
• Towing vessels with 6,001 h.p. to 7,200 h.p., a maximum tow size of 30 barges.
• Towing vessels with 7,201 h.p. to 8,400 h.p., a maximum tow size of 35 barges.
• Towing vessels with greater than 8,401 h.p., a maximum tow size of 36 barges.

Refer to the Waterways Action Plan for further details. All up-bound tows, must maintain an average speed of 3 MPH, over the ground, for 2 miles leading up to the Memphis Bridges. If a tow is unable to average 3 MPH, it must arrange for an assist tug or reduce tow size through the Memphis Bridges. Fleet operators should regularly check their fleet and immediately report barge breakaways to the U.S. Coast Guard. Mariners are requested to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Western Rivers Command Center at (866) 777-2784, or via VHF-FM Channel 16, for additional information or to report areas of concern.

 

LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - SAFETY ADVISORY/CHANNEL CONDITION

The COTP Lower Mississippi has issued a high water Safety Advisory from Mile 439.0 to Mile 303.0, due to hazardous conditions associated with strong currents, severe outdrafts, missing/off station aids to navigation and diving buoys. The COTP in concurrence with the Lower Mississippi River Committee recommends the following limits for tows transiting between Mile 439.0 and Mile 303.0, when the Vicksburg, Mississippi Gauge reaches 36 feet. Down-bound tows:

Towing vessels must have at least 240 h.p., per barge, with a maximum tow size of 36 barges. Towing vessels with less than 6,000 h.p., a maximum tow size of 25 loaded barges.

• Towing vessels with 6,001 h.p. to 7,200 h.p., a maximum tow size of 30 barges.
• Towing vessels with 7,201 h.p. to 8,400 h.p., a maximum to size of 35 barges.
• Towing vessels with greater than 8,401 h.p., a maximum tow size of 36 barges.

Refer to the Waterways Action Plan for further details. All up-bound tows must maintain an average speed of 3 MPH, over the ground for 2-miles leading up to the Vicksburg Bridges. If a tow is unable to average a minimum speed of 3 MPH, it must arrange for an assist tug or reduce tow size through the bridges. Fleet operators should regularly check their fleets and immediately report barge breakaways to the U.S. Coast Guard. Mariners are requested to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Western Rivers Command Center via VHF-FM Channel 16 or at (866) 777-2784, for further information or to report areas of concern.

 

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 – MISSISSIPPI RIVER – New Orleans to Baton Rouge

The Coast Guard will be making the following change permanent after April 26, 2022: Establish La Place Anchorage Isolated Danger VAIS LP (LLNR-14407) in approximate position 29-30-12.200N/089-42-35.700W, V-AIS Aid, showing Isolated Danger virtual aid, with assigned MMSI 993682318.

 

SECTION VII – GENERAL

This section contains information of general concern to the Mariners. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting these areas.

 

LA/MS - MISSISSIPPI SOUND APPROACHES - LAKE BORGNE - Marsh Creation Operations – UPDATE

Dredging activities for the creation of Golden Triangle Marsh Creation in Lake Borgne, have been suspended until a later date.

 

LA - MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 0.0, AHOP - SOUTHWEST PASS - MILE -20.0 BHP - Dike Repair

Continuing through approximately July 16, 2022, a U.S. Government Contractor will be repairing the jetty and foreshore dikes on the RDB and LDB, of Southwest Pass from Head of Passes (Mile 0.0), to Mile -20.0 Below Head of Passes. The Contractor will work 7-days a week, 10-hours a day, during daylight hours, and the plant will include anchor and spud barges, with hydraulic backhoe or trackhoe. 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 out of the Mississippi River Channel, in the vicinity of the work site. The M/V WARREN JR., can be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 16 and 67, and working channel 72. 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 - MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 232.6, AHOP - Soil Borings

Continuing through March 12, 2022, from 7:00 a.m., to 6:00 p.m., each day, Geoengineers, Inc., is collecting bore samples from a barge on the Lower Mississippi River, at Mile 232.6, AHOP. Mariners may contact Kyle Kilfian, at (937) 243-5749, or M/V DONNIE VERRET, on VHF-FM Channels 67 and 68. Mariners are urged to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake in the area.

 

MILE 232.6 - SOIL BORING OPERATION

Continuing through March 12, 2022, from 7:00 a.m., to 6:00 p.m., each day, Geoengineers, Inc., is collecting bore samples from a barge on the Lower Mississippi River, at Mile 232.6, AHOP. Mariners may contact Kyle Kilfian, at (937) 243-5749, or M/V DONNIE VERRET, on VHF-FM Channels 67 and 68. Mariners are urged to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake in the area.