The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) arrived at Point Michel (Mile 43.5 Above Head of Passes) at 0130 hours this morning and is expected to commence mat sinking operations at 1200 hours today (Sunday, November 17, 2019).  There is a one-way transit restriction as previously disseminated and broadcast within the attached Marine Information Safety Bulletin (MSIB), please review the MSIB for complete details for passing vessel traffic.

The transit restrictions may be adjusted upon experience passing the MSU, but until then the conditions in the MSIB apply as documented.

Safety Advisory – Point Michel Revetment Operations MM 43.5 RDB AHP LMR

MSIB_Vol_XIX_Issue_086_Safety_Advisory_Pt_Michel_MM_43_Revetment_Ops.pdf

The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a safety advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 42.5 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 44.5. This advisory is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps 0f Engineers (USACE) revetment operations occurring along the AHP (Point Michel). The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM — 7:00 PM local from November 18 — 20, 2019. During times of actual revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) will extend approximately 300-800′ channelward from the bank. At the conclusion of daily operations, the platform will remain on-scene and will extend approximately 480′ from the RDB into the river at night.

Effective at 6:00 AM on November 18, 2019 or when the Mat Sinking Unit begins work at Point Michel (possibly as early as Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2019) this Measure is in effect with the following provisions:

• All vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 44.5 AHP LMR from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.
• All vessels shall transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake from MM 42.5 to MM 44.5 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 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.