Notice to Navigators: Pacific Rivers
NOTICE TO MARINERS
PACIFIC RIVERS BASIN
LNM 11-22
SECTION I - SPECIAL NOTICES
This section contains information of special concern to the Marine
OREGON – WASHINGTON – Hazardous Weather Outlook service for the Eastern Pacific Ocean
In coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the US Coast Guard is pleased to announce the addition of a new Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO) service that covers the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This service is available to all those who could benefit from advanced warning of hazardous weather in both coastal regions and open waters. As with the currently available Western Atlantic Hazardous Weather Outlook, Seven Day HWO’s will be released every Wednesday with additional Situational HWO’s issued as conditions require. The service will begin on 06 Apr 2022; however, users can sign up in advance at any time.
In the recent past, several maritime tragedies and “near misses” in the coastal waters of the United States have occurred due to hazardous weather, such as the sinking of the SS El Faro in 2015. Based on recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in cooperation with the NWS and the United States Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN), developing improved methods of delivering Marine Safety Information remain a top priority.
The NWS Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) and the NHC’s Tropical and Analysis Forecast Branch (TAFB) will be providing weekly and situational reports to the USCG, who will then be making this information available to the public. Through the free online subscription service, GovDelivery, which currently offers subscribers a wide array of Marine Safety Information such as Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNMs) and Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs) provided through USCG NAVCEN, users will be able to register to receive Hazardous Weather Outlook reports giving forewarning of major weather events. For subscribing to Eastern Pacific Hazardous Weather Outlook reports by E-mail: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSCG_506 For subscribing to Eastern Pacific Hazardous Weather Outlook reports by RSS Feed: https://public.govdelivery.com/topics/USDHSCG_506/feed.rs
COLUMBIA RIVER – BLALOCK ISLAND TO MCNARY DAM – LAKE UMATILLA – Bridge inspection
WSDOT will be performing a regular scheduled biennial inspection of the eastern span of the I-82 Highway Bridge (north bound) (LLNR 12753) that crosses the Columbia River at RM 290.5 near Umatilla, between the hours of 0730 – 1500 daily on 23 – 24 Mar 2022. The I-82 Highway Bridge will be inspected deploying two under-bridge inspection trucks (UBITs) from the top of the bridge deck. UBITs have a flashing amber strobe light mounted to the bottom of each bucket. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area below the UBITs. For more information, contact Greg Seipel at (360) 556-4122 or SeipelG@wsdot.wa.gov.
WASHINGTON – STRAIT OF GEORGIA AND STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA – PUGET SOUND – Bottom Trawl survey
From 25 Apr through 20 May 2022, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Fish Science (MFS) Unit will conduct their annual bottom trawl survey to assess marine fish living in the waters of Puget Sound, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia, San Juan Archipelago, Hood Canal, Central Sound, and South Sound regions. The vessel chartered by WDFW for the survey is the F/V Chasina, a 58- foot seiner/trawler (call sign WYQ-6987), with red hull and red and white superstructure, which will carry WDFW RESEARCH placards posted on both sides of the upper deck. For more information on WDFW’s MFS unit and the bottomfish programs, visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/species[1]habitats/species/bottomfish. For more information on the bottom trawl survey contact Jennifer Blaine at (425) 379-2313 (office) or (425) 231- 9476 (cell) or email at Jennifer.Blaine@dfw.wa.gov.
WASHINGTON – APPROACHES TO ADMIRALTY INLET – Sequim Bay scientific sensor deployment
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will be deploying and retrieving submerged scientific equipment in the entrance channel to Sequim Bay, Washington for 4 weeks between 11 Apr and 30 Jun 2022. The submerged scientific equipment will be located at approximate position 48-04-53 N, 123-02-30 W. There will be no surface marker buoys on the equipment, but the equipment extends approximately 10 feet above the seafloor, leaving at least 9 feet of water over the equipment at all times. The research vessels DESDEMONA or STRAIT SCIENCE may be on scene during the deployment and retrieval. The vessels may be hailed on VHF-FM channel 16. For additional information, contact PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory, John Vavrinec, at (360) 681-3665 or email john.vavrinec@pnnl.gov.
WASHINGTON – PUGET SOUND – SEATTLE TO BREMERTON – DUWAMISH WATERWAY – Bridge emergency deviation (Revised from LNM 08/22)
The Coast Guard has approved an emergency temporary deviation from the operating regulations of the 1st Ave South Highway Bridge (LLNR 16887), AKA SR-99 Bridge, across the Duwamish Waterway, mile 2.5, Seattle, WA. The subject bridge sustained damage from a roadway accident, and the draw span is limited to opening when sustained winds are less than 10 knots. The bridge operator may exercise good judgement to delay or not open the draw for a reasonable time only when sustained winds exceed 10 knots. The bridge operator may delay the opening of the draw for a reasonable time while waiting for sustained winds to be less than 10 knots, but shall inform mariners for the reason of delayed openings. Mariners shall contact the bridge operator prior to entering the Duwamish Waterway to request an opening, if the bridge cannot open due to wind velocity, the bridge operator shall record the vessel(s) name and contact them every thirty minutes with a draw status. The reasonable delay to open due to damages applies to all vessels requesting an opening including vessels of 5000 gross tons and over, a vessel towing a vessel of 5000 gross tons and over, and a vessel proceeding to pick up for towing a vessel of 5000 gross tons and over. During this closure, the draw of the subject bridge may also delay opening the draw to marine vessels engaged in emergency operations. Repairs to the bridge are taking longer than expected, and the anticipated completion date is now 15 Apr 2022.
WASHINGTON – LAKE WASHINGTON SHIP CANAL – Bridge notice
The Coast Guard has approved a temporary deviation to the operating schedule that governs the Fremont Bridge (LLNR 18182), mile 2.6, and the University Bridge (LLNR 18235), mile 4.3, both crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation accommodates the Tenacious Ten running event. The draws of the subject bridges are authorized to remain in the closed-to-navigation position as follows: the University Bridge need not open for vessel traffic from 0800 to 0830 on 09 Apr 2022, and the Fremont Bridge need not open for vessel traffic from 0815 to 1015 on 09 Apr 2022. The Fremont Bridge in the closed-to-navigation position provides 14 feet of vertical clearance. The University Bridge in the closed-to-navigation position provides 30 feet of vertical clearance, and 45 feet of vertical clearance at the center. All vertical clearance references to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. There is no alternate route for vessels to pass. Vessels that do not require bridge openings may continue to transit beneath these bridges during the closure periods. The draws will be required to open, if needed, for vessels engaged in emergency response operations during this closure period. For more information on this event, contact Kit Loo at (206) 684- 3669 or kit.loo@seattle.gov.
WASHINGTON – ANACORTES TO SKAGIT BAY – SWINOMISH CHANNEL NORTH ENTRANCE – Bridge Notice
The Coast Guard has approved a temporary deviation to the operating schedule that governs the BNSF Railroad Bridge 7.6 (LLNR 19155.1) across the Swinomish Channel, mile 8.4, near Anacortes, WA. BNSF is authorized to not open the draw of the subject bridge from 0900 to 1500 on 12 – 26 Apr 2022. This deviation accommodates mechanical repairs to the swing span. During the closure times, mariners may use the alternate route is via the southern Swinomish Channel using Skagit Bay. The span will not open for emergencies or tribal fishing vessels during the repair period. This deviation has been coordinated with the Swinomish Tribal fisheries. Bridge 7.6 normally operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, and is normally maintained in the open-to-navigation position. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.5 at all other times. Vessels able to pass through the subject bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. Bridge 7.6 provides 8 feet of vertical clearance and 100 feet of horizontal clearance in the closed-to-navigation position. Vertical and horizontal clearances are referenced to mean high-water elevation. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of the requested temporary deviation. For more information, contact Jeff Swanson at (909) 386-4910 or jeff.swanson@bnsf.com.
SECTION VII - GENERAL
This section contains information of general concern to the Mariners. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting these areas.
SUMMARY OF BRIDGE LIGHTING DISCREPANCIES AND CORRECTIONS
The summary of Bridge Lighting Discrepancies and Corrections is listed as Enclosure (1) of this Local Notice to Mariners.
SUMMARY OF DREDGING OPERATIONS
The summary of Dredging Operations is listed as Enclosure (2) of this Local Notice to Mariners.
SUMMARY OF MARINE EVENTS
The summary of Marine Events is listed as Enclosure (3) of this Local Notice to Mariners.