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 series of VTS measures for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 0 to MM 2.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP), and MM 65 to MM 67 AHP. These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the removal of the submerged dredge pipelines across the Mississippi River Ship Channel, and are in effect with the following provisions:
- January 17, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0 – MM 2.0 AHP and MM 65 – MM 67 AHP.
- (Back-up Date) January 19, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0 – MM 2.0 AHP and MM 65 – MM 67 AHP.
Between the closure areas (MM 2.0 and MM 65 AHP), vessels are allowed to transit normally. For questions or status updates, mariners should contact the on-scene vessels:
- Dredge CAPT FRANK via VHF-FM channels 67 and 71 (MM 0 to 2.0 AHP).
- Dredge JS CHATRY via VHF Channel 67 and 71 (MM 65 to 67 AHP).
Updates and/or changes to this schedule will be broadcast via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and/or industry-wide email
Vessels intending to arrive or depart the Mississippi River on the day of a closure must arrive at Pilottown (outbound) no later than 5:30 a.m. or Southwest Pass Entrance Light (inbound) no later than 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure.
For additional information, contact:
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or Secnola-wpm@uscg.mil
