The Big River Coalition’s Corps 2018 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions Update 12318 is attached for your reference.

The December 1, 2018 schedule of work as provided by the Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division is the latest schedule update and is attached. 

The schedule of work at Poydras has been hampered by the high river stages and is now expected to be completed on December 17, 2018 (requiring an additional week).  

The Carrollton Gauge (New Orleans) reading was 10.99 feet at 0800 hours today with a 24-hour change of – 0.36 feet.

The Coast Guard updated the navigation restrictions for vessels transiting from Mile Marker 83 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to Mile Marker 80 AHP.  The restrictions were developed with input from the Pilots, Corps, Coast Guard and navigation representatives after experience with vessels transiting around the revetment operations at the Poydras location (Mile 81 AHP) in the present high river stages.  These restrictions commenced on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 0600 hours and are reproduced below and contained within the attached Marine Safety Information Bulletin. 

 “Effective 6:00 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018, this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:

• Sea-going deep draft vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 80 to MM 83 AHP at all times during these revetment operations.
• Downbound sea-going deep draft vessels over 700 feet long are not permitted to transit between MM 80 and MM 83 AHP from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM while revetment operations are conducted.  These vessels may transit the area after the platform is folded in at night.
• Towing vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 80 to MM 83 AHP LMR from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. After the platform is folded in at night, meeting or overtaking arrangements may be made on a case-by-case basis with agreement of the other vessel and on-scene pilots mentioned below.
• Line tows with 25 or more barges shall consider flanking Lower 12 Mile Point.
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring below MM 83.0 within Lower 9 Mile Point.
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring within Lower 12 Mile Anchorage.
• All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V HARRISON or M/V WILLIAM JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.

Mariners are urged to exercise caution and transit at the slowest safe speed to minimize wake.  Updates and/or changes will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.”

The Coast Guard, Corps, Pilots and navigation stakeholders will continue to monitor the operations and navigational safety, additional adjustments may be warranted.

The Big River Coalition will work to advise its membership of any updates or adjustments as work resumes at the Poydras location at Mile 81 Above Head of Passes along the left descending bank.

Please see the attachments for complete details.

CORPS 2018 REVETMENT SCHEDULE AND TRANSIT RESTRICTIONS 12318

The latest schedule for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) 2018 Mississippi River bank stabilization program schedule (revetment and rock work), with updated navigation restrictions, is enclosed. The December 1, 2018 schedule of work as provided by the MVN is attached. The Corps has completed revetment operations above New Orleans and continues working at the Poydras location (Mile 81 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) the first of the three locations below New Orleans. The schedule of work at Poydras has been hampered by the high river stages and is now expected to be completed on December 17, 2018 (requiring an additional week). There are two remaining locations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans scheduled for rock work (bank stabilization) that will be conducted in 2019.

The Corps previously hosted meetings, with representatives from the Corps’ Bank Stabilization Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, applicable Pilot Associations and navigation representatives, to detail the scope of bank stabilization efforts and develop the proposed transit restrictions. During times of actual revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) extends from approximately 300 to 800 feet channelward from the bank. When the Unit is not folded in, it extends about 480 feet from the bank channelward. When it is folded in, the MSU extends 250 feet from the bank. The scheduled working times for the MSU are from 0600 hours to 1900 hours. In different locations the operations may be completed slightly before or after 1900 hours. The Corps agreed to Industry’s request to fold in the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) at night where revetment locations that warranted navigational concerns. The Pilots and Coast Guard’s Lower Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Service will utilize the Contact Pilot on the MSU to coordinate vessel movements in the vicinity of ongoing revetment operations.

The updated schedules from the Corps will be distributed upon receipt. The BRC will notify our members of any changes; however, please keep in mind that some changes occur without advance notice. The scheduled dates may change but those shown below are based on the latest schedule from the Corps. Updates will be provided in an attempt to distribute accurate information as time permits and the work dates get closer.

The Coast Guard updated the navigation restrictions for vessels transiting from Mile Marker 83 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to Mile Marker 80 AHP. The restrictions were developed with input from the Pilots, Corps, Coast Guard and navigation representatives after experience with vessels transiting around the revetment operations at the Poydras location (Mile 81 AHP) in the present high river stages. These restrictions commenced on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 0600 hours and are reproduced below and contained within the attached Marine Safety Information Bulletin.

“Effective 6:00 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018, this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:

• Sea-going deep draft vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 80 to MM 83 AHP at all times during these revetment operations.
• Downbound sea-going deep draft vessels over 700 feet long are not permitted to transit between MM 80 and MM 83 AHP from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM while revetment operations are conducted. These vessels may transit the area after the platform is folded in at night.
• Towing vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 80 to MM 83 AHP LMR from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. After the platform is folded in at night, meeting or overtaking arrangements may be made on a case-by-case basis with agreement of the other vessel and on-scene pilots mentioned below.
• Line tows with 25 or more barges shall consider flanking Lower 12 Mile Point.
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring below MM 83.0 within Lower 9 Mile Point.
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring within Lower 12 Mile Anchorage.
• All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V HARRISON or M/V

  WILLIAM JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.

  Mariners are urged to exercise caution and transit at the slowest safe speed to minimize wake. Updates and/or changes will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.”

  2018 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Below New Orleans

Location	Mile (Right or Left)	2018 Scheduled Date(s)	Restrictions
Poydras	81.0 LDB	November 26 to December 7 December 10 to December 17	Refer to MSIB language. Fold in at night.
English Turn	76.5 RDB	December 18 to December 21 December 26 to December 27	Slow bell with minimal wake. Fold in at night.
Gravolet	50.4 LDB	December 28 to January 2 (2019)	Slow bell with minimal wake.

*The rock work at Port Allen may require transit restrictions, that will be determined based on river stages at the time of the actual work.

MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 086a Poydras Revetment Ops MM 81 AHOP.pdf