This Marine Safety Information Bulletin supersedes Volume XXIII, Issue 029 “Carrollton Gauge at 8 Feet and Rising”.
The Carrollton Gauge reads below 9 feet and falling, the following measures are no longer in effect:
1. In accordance with 33 CFR 161.65, the Governor Nicholls Harbor Traffic Control Light 94, Gretna Harbor Traffic Control Light 97, and the Westwego Traffic Light 102 are energized.
The Harbor Traffic Control Lights are located at: Governor Nicholls Light, MM 94.3, AHP, Left Descending Bank (LDB), LMR (LLNR 13855/34770), Gretna Light, MM 96.6, AHP, Right Descending Bank (RDB), LMR (LLNR 13880/34795), and Westwego Traffic Light, MM 101.4, AHP, RDB, LMR (LLNR13950).
2. The Governor Nicholls Navigation Light 94 and the Gretna Navigation Light 97 are extinguished while Traffic Control Lights are operating.
3. In accordance with 33 CFR 160.111 (c), the COTP has determined that during periods of high water, unless moored to a shore side facility or mooring buoys, all deep draft vessels must have three means to hold position. An example would be two fully operational anchors and the propulsion system. Should a vessel lose an anchor or suffer a propulsion casualty, and the vessel does not have redundant capabilities available, such as aft anchors or two main engines, then a third means of holding position could be via tug assist.
4. Mid-Stream cargo transfers must be preceded by 48-hour notice (See Enclosure 2 for Midstream Transfer Notice form).
Midstream cargo transfers may be conducted at the designated anchorages within the New Orleans COTP zone as defined by 33 CFR 110.195(a), with exception of the General Anchorage (MM 90.1 – 90.9 AHP) and the Quarantine Anchorage (MM 90.9 – 91.6 AHP). This requirement does NOT affect:
a. Vessel-to-vessel transfers, which take place at a Coast Guard regulated facility.
b. Bunkers or delivery of ships stores.
c. Cargo operations, which take place in a designated and established mid-stream, buoy system.
Anyone wishing to conduct vessel-to-vessel cargo transfers not specifically exempted as noted above, should contact the Sector New Orleans Facility Compliance Branch at (504) 365-2370 or by e-mail at FacilitiesNOLA@uscg.mil.
5. All vessels, facilities, and vessel agents planning to warp a vessel should consult with the appropriate pilot association prior to warping.
6. Tows are prohibited from transiting VTS special areas by a vessel with insufficient power to permit ready maneuverability and safe handling (unable to maintain an average speed of at least 3 MPH (2.6 knots).
7. For all vessels operating in the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) below Mile Marker (MM) 167.5 Above Head of Passes (AHP), including South Pass and Southwest Pass, additional high-water requirements are found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.810.
The following measures remain in effect:
1. In accordance with 33 CFR 161.65, the Governor Nicholls Harbor Traffic Control Light 94, Gretna Harbor Traffic Control Light 97, and the Westwego Traffic Light 102 will be de-energized.
The harbor traffic control lights are located at:
Governor Nicholls Light, Mile Marker (MM) 94.3 Above Head of Passes (AHP), Left Descending Bank
(LDB) (LLNR 13855/24770); Gretna Light, MM 96.6 AHP, Right Descending Bank (RDB)
(LLNR13880/34795); and the Westwego Traffic Light, MM 101.4 AHP, RDB (LLNR13950)
2. The Governor Nicholls Navigation Light 94 and the Gretna Navigation Light 97 are energized when the Traffic Control Lights are extinguished.
For further information, contact:
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hours): (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67
Sector New Orleans Facility Compliance Branch: (504) 329-2370 or FacilitesNOLA@uscg.mil
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
