MSIB XX-129

The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a Safety Advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 228 Above Head of Passes, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Port Allen – Morgan City alternate route. This advisory is needed to protect persons and vessels from potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging operations occurring on the Port Allen Lock forebay. The dredging vessel WALLACE McGEORGE will conduct dredging operations 24 hours a day from 5:00 A.M. Friday, December 18, 2020 through 10:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 23, 2020, including the weekend.

This advisory is in effect from 05:00 A.M. on December 18, 2020 until 10:00 P.M. on December 23, 2020, with the following provisions:

-All mariners are advised to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake when transiting in the vicinity of dredging operations.

-Vessels will not be able to transit through the Port Allen Lock during dredging operations. Mariners are advised to use alternate routes until dredging operations in the Port Allen Lock forebay are complete.

Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and/or via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

The dredging vessel WALLACE McGEORGE can be contacted via VHF marine channels 16 and 67.

For additional information, contact the following:

Port Allen Lockmaster: (225) 343-3752

Coast Guard MSU Baton Rouge: (225) 281-2875 ext. 230

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center:  (504) 365-2200

Vessel Traffic Services Lower Mississippi River (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67