A representative from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has advised that the revetment operations at Gravolet were delayed by the extreme weather conditions over the last few days.
The work at Gravolet is now expected to be completed no later than Sunday, December 30, 2018 and will not be completed today as originally scheduled.
The Corps is conducting a site visit to the Poydras location to determine if returning to finish revetment operations there is possible.
The Carrollton Gauge at New Orleans had a reading of 12.49 feet at 1300 hours today.
The remaining work at Gravolet (ongoing) and possible return to Poydras both require significant transit restrictions that are detailed in the attached Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB).
The Coast Guard, Corps, Pilots and navigation stakeholders will continue to monitor the operations and navigational safety, additional adjustments may be warranted. The transit restrictions established in the attached MSIBs may also change, the U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (VTS LMR) indicates an updated MSIB should be issued when the mat sinking operations return to Poydras. The transit restrictions are expected to be the same, but minor changes could be warranted.
The calendar below is not official yet, but is an update based on the discussion with Corps representatives, updates will be issued upon confirmation from the Corps regarding revetment operations.
| Location | Mile
(Right or Left) |
2018 Scheduled Date(s) | Restrictions |
|
Gravolet
|
50.4 LDB | December 26 to December 30 |
Refer to attached MSIB, language. Fold in at night.
|
| Poydras | 81.0 LDB | December 31 to January 5 (2019) |
Refer to attached MSIB, language. Fold in at night.
|
MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 096 Gravolet Revetment Operations MM 50.4.pdf
VTS Measure – Gravolet Revetment Operations MM 50.4 AHP LMR
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 VTS Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 48.4 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 51.4 AHP. This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revetment operations occurring along the left descending bank (LDB) near MM 50.4 AHP (Gravolet). The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM from December 18 – 22 and 26 – 28. At the conclusion of daily operations, the platform will remain on-scene and will extend approximately 480’ from the LDB into the river at night.
Effective at 3:00 PM on December 18, 2018, this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring in Point Celeste Anchorage above MM 51.0 AHP LMR.
• All vessels with drafts 35’ and greater are restricted to one-way traffic at all times from MM 49.4 to MM 51.4 AHP LMR.
• All vessels shall transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake from MM 48.4 to MM 51.4 AHP LMR.
• 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.
Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and/or via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
For further information, contact:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67
CAPTAIN K. M. LUTTRELL
Captain of the Port New Orleans
MSIB Vol XVIII Issue 086b Poydras Revetment Ops MM 81.pdf
VTS Measure — Poydras Revetment Operations
MM 81.0 AHP LMR
This is a revision to Marine Safety Information Bulletin, Vol. XVIII, Issue 086a, distributed on 23 November 2018.
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 VTS Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 80 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 83 AHP. This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revetment operations occurring along the left descending bank (LDB) near MM 81.0 AHP (Poydras). The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM 7:00 PM, and are estimated to continue until December 7, 2018. The platform will be folded in at night, but will still extend approximately 360′ from the LDB into the river.
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 transitthe 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-bycase basis with agreement of the other vessel and the 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 Anchorage.
• All vessels are prohibited from anchoring within Lower 12 Mile Anchorage.
• All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the MN HARRISON or MN
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.
For further information, contact:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67
