The Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) continues to respond to the shoaling in Southwest Pass and on the Crossings Above New Orleans created by the extended high river stages of early 2018. The MVN is actively dredging on the Crossings Above New Orleans with all three dustpan dredges and the industry hopper dredge GLENN EDWARDS working to restore the central 250 feet of the authorized channel width (500 feet).
UPDATED: DRAFT RESTRICTIONS IN THE AREA OF SOUTHWEST PASS (SWP):
The Bar Pilots increased their maximum draft recommendation to 47 feet freshwater at 1000 hours on Saturday, June 9, 2018 (notice attached). The previous maximum draft of 46 feet freshwater became effective at 1000 hours on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
The Crescent River Port Pilots Association increased their maximum draft recommendation to the 47 feet (freshwater) on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.
The Federal Pilots remain at their full maximum draft of 45 feet as reestablished on May 30, 2018.
The controlling maximum draft recommendation allowable for vessels transiting Southwest Pass has returned to normal as set at 47 feet freshwater.
INDUSTRY HOPPER DREDGES IN SOUTHWEST PASS (SWP):
BAYPORT: The industry hopper dredge BAYPORT (Manson Construction) completed Southwest Pass Hopper Dredge Rental Contract No. 3-2018 on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The BAYPORT began work under this contract in SWP on Monday, March 12, 2018.
NEWPORT: The industry hopper dredge NEWPORT (Manson Construction) completed Southwest Pass Hopper Dredge Rental Contract No. 2-2018 on Sunday, June 10, 2018. The NEWPORT began work under this contract in SWP on March 11, 2018 under.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGES IN SOUTHWEST PASS (SWP):
ROBERT M. WHITE: The cutterhead dredge ROBERT M. WHITE (Manson Construction) completed Southwest Pass Cutterhead Dredge Rental Contract No. 1-2018 on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The cutterhead began dredging in SWP under this contract on March 16, 2018. All material removed was beneficially used and strategically placed to create new land alongside of SWP.
G.D. MORGAN: The industry cutterhead dredge G.D. MORGAN (Weeks Marine) continues dredging from Mile 2.5 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to Mile 1.5 BHP on the right descending bank (westside) and is presently at Mile 0.42 AHP. The cutterhead continues to respond to Southwest Pass Cutterhead Dredge Rental Contract No. 2-2018. All material removed will be beneficially used and strategically placed to create new land alongside the western boundary of SWP.
DUSTPAN DREDGES ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
HURLEY: The Corps’ dustpan dredge HURLEY continues dredging the central 250 feet at Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224 AHP). The dustpan dredge began dredging on the Crossings on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge WALLACE McGEORGE continues dredging the central 250 feet at Bayou Goula Crossing (Mile 198.2 AHP). The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Friday, May 11, 2018.
JADWIN: The Corps’ dustpan dredge JADWIN is dredging the central 250 feet at Belmont Crossing (Mile 154 AHP). The NOBRA and Federal Pilots continue to assist by anchoring vessels in the Belmont Anchorage (Mile 154 AHP to Mile 152.9 AHP) “as far east as possible” in effort to keep the Anchorage accessible while the dustpan dredge is working this location. The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
INDUSTRY HOPPER DREDGE ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
GLENN EDWARDS: The industry hopper dredge GLENN EDWARDS (Manson Construction) completed the central 250 feet of channel at Medora Crossing (Mile 212 AHP) and moved upriver to Sarine Point (Mile 219 AHP) on Sunday, June 10, 2018. The hopper dredge commenced dredging in SWP on April 17, 2018. The GLENN EDWARDS is expected to complete this contract on or about June 20, 2018.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE AT THE NEW ORLEANS HARBOR:
MIKE HOOKS: The MVN issued a contract to Mike Hooks, Inc. to dredge in the New Orleans Harbor and is coordinating the cutterhead assignment with the representatives of the Port of New Orleans. The cutterhead dredge MIKE HOOKS will respond to this contract, the dredge is already working under contract directly for the Port of New Orleans.
