The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a safety advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 198 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 212 AHP. This advisory 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 left descending bank (LDB) near MM 200 (St. Gabriel Revetment) and along the right descending bank (RDB) near MM 209 (Plaquemine Bend revetment).
Revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. local time from January 4 until January 14, 2021, including the weekend. Revetment operations will be suspended from January 15 until January 18, then resume January 19 with anticipated completion January 22, 2021. During revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit will extend approximately 300-800′ channel ward from the bank. The platform will be removed from the channel within 2 hours of work ending and there will be no restrictions during non-working hours. Mariners are advised to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake whenever passing the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU).
The following restrictions are in effect while the MSU is conducting revetment maintenance operations:
-All vessels (except as described below) are prohibited from entering a zone extending from 1 mile upriver to 1 mile downriver from the MSU.
-Northbound vessels having a draft of less than 25 feet may transit around the MSU after contacting the USACE contact pilots stationed on the M/V WILLIAM JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
-Towing vessels pushing small tows approximately 1-2 barges in length may be able to transit past the revetment operation during working hours if deemed safe by the USACE contact pilots.
Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
For additional information, contact the following:
Coast Guard MSU Baton Rouge: (225) 281-2875
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2542
