VTS Measure – English Turn Revetment Operations MM 76.5 AHP LMR

This is a revision to Marine Safety Information Bulletin, Vol. XVIII, Issue 087, distributed on 14 December, 2018.
 
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a VTS Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 74.8 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 78.0 AHP.  This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revetment operations occurring along the right descending bank (RDB) near MM 76.5 AHP (English Turn).  The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM from December 14 – 21 (including weekends).  At the conclusion of daily operations, the platform will remain on-scene and will extend approximately 480’ from the RDB into the river at night.
 
Effective at 2:00 PM on December 14, 2018, this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:
 
  • All vessels are prohibited from anchoring in Belle Chasse Anchorage above MM 74.8.
  • All vessels with drafts 35’ and greater are restricted to one-way traffic at all times from MM 75.5 to MM 77.5 AHP LMR.
  • All vessels shall transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake from MM 75.5 to MM 78.0 AHP LMR.
  • All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V HARRISON or M/V WILLIAM JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
 
Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and/or via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.    
 
For further information, contact:
 
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67