The Corps has adjusted the schedule of work based on the impact of the elevated river stages and changes to the schedule and updated transit restrictions should be expected. The work at Point Michel has now been completed and the MSU will commence revetment operations at Port Sulphur (Mile 36.3 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) tomorrow morning Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
The revetment operations at Port Sulphur are scheduled to start tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20th and work until Thursday, November 21st with working hours from 0600 hours to 1900 hours and from 0600 hours to 1200 hours (noon) on Friday, November 22nd. The revetment operations will break at 1200 hours on November 22 and resume for normal working hours from Monday, November 25th to Wednesday, November 27th (0600 hours to 1900 hours). The Safety Zone created in the Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) restricts all vessels to one-way traffic from Mile 37.3 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to Mile 35.3 AHP or one mile above and below the work location. Please review the attached MSIB for complete details.
RE: CORPS’ 2019 REVETMENT SCHEDULE AND TRANSIT RESTRICTIONS 111919
Corps 2019 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions 111919.pdf
The latest schedule for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) 2019 Mississippi River Bank Stabilization program schedule (revetment and rock work), with applicable navigation restrictions, is enclosed below. The list of sites was revised limiting the proposed revetment locations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans to two priority sites and there are two remaining locations below New Orleans that require revetment mat placement.
The Corps hosted a meeting, with representatives from the Corps’ Bank Stabilization Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, applicable Pilot Associations and the Coalition, to detail the scope of bank stabilization efforts and develop potential 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 on revetment locations that warranted concern. 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 these operations.
The Corps has adjusted the schedule of work based on the impact of the elevated river stages and changes to the schedule and updated transit restrictions should be expected. The work at Point Michel has now been completed and the MSU will commence revetment operations at Port Sulphur (Mile 36.3 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) tomorrow morning Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
2019 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Below New Orleans
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left)
|
2019 Scheduled Date(s) |
Restrictions |
|
Myrtle Grove |
58.9 RDB |
November 28 to December 1 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
Point Michel |
43.5 RDB
|
COMPLETED |
COMPLETED |
|
Port Sulphur |
36.3 RDB |
November 20 to November 22 November 25 to November 27 *MSIB Attached revised working hours listed |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
The revetment operations at Port Sulphur are scheduled to start tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20th and work until Thursday, November 21st with working hours from 0600 hours to 1900 hours and from 0600 hours to 1200 hours (noon) on Friday, November 22nd. The revetment operations will break at 1200 hours on November 22 and resume for normal working hours from Monday, November 25th to Wednesday, November 27th (0600 hours to 1900 hours). The Safety Zone created in the Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) restricts all vessels to one-way traffic from Mile 37.3 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to Mile 35.3 AHP or one mile above and below the work location. Please review the attached MSIB for complete details.
2019 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Above New Orleans
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left) |
2019 and 2020 Scheduled Date(s)
|
Restriction
|
|
Missouri Bend |
219.3 RDB |
December 13 to December 20 December 23 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
*Aben |
172.5 RDB |
December 3 to December 6 December 9 to December 12
|
*No traffic during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.
|
*Please note that the U.S. Coast Guard and navigation representatives are working to finalize the transit restrictions with revised working times at the Aben location (Mile 172.5 AHP) also known as (Bringier Point). The updated MSIB will be broadcast at later date and listed with the next schedule of work update.
The planned 2019 revetment operations include work at several key locations where the banks have been compromised by the extended high river stages. The work dates are established to focus on the priority locations first. However, throughout the bank stabilization efforts changes based upon river stages and experience with vessel transits should be anticipated. The Corps, Coast Guard, Pilots and BRC will work closely with industry to ensure that changes are noted and distributed as warranted and available.
Safety Advisory – Port Sulphur Revetment Operations MM 36.3 RDB AHP LMR
The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a safety advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 35.3 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 37.3 AHP. This advisory 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 right descending bank (RDB) near MM 36.3 AHP (Port Sulphur). The revetment operations will be conducted on the following days:
- November 20 —21, 2019 from 6:00 AM — 7:00 PM local
- November 22, 2019 from 6:00 AM —Noon
- November 25 —27, 2019 from 6:00 AM — 7:00 PM local.
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 Wednesday, November 20, 2019 until the revetment operations are completed, this safety advisory is in effect with the following provisions:
-
- All vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 35.3 to MM 37.3 AHP LMR during the revetment operations listed above.
- All vessels shall transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake from MM 35.3 to MM 37.3 AHP LMR.
- All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V HARRISON or MN 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
