Captain Michael Miller, President of the BAR Pilots, has announced that they will increase the Maximum Recommended Draft at SWP to 47’ (FW) effective at 1000 hours, local, today.

Here is the official notice: BAR SWP to 47 Feet.pdf

Southwest Pass, Recommended Transit Draft

The Bar Pilots of the Port of New Orleans recommend that vessels transiting the Southwest Pass from the Sea Buoy (Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy “SW”) to mile 1.5 above Head of Passes should not have a deep transit draft in fresh water greater than Forty-Seven feet (47 feet).

This draft recommendation, which may be increased or decreased at any time as conditions warrant, becomes effective at 1000 hours CST on June 09, 2018.

Nothing in the recommendation should be construed as limiting a pilot in the exercise of their judgment.