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 series of VTS measures for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 0 to MM 2.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with Great Lakes Dredge & Docks dredge and pipeline crossing operations and are in effect with the following provisions:
- January 15, 2021 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time: all vessels are restricted from transiting between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
- January 15, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are restricted to one-way traffic along the west side of the river between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
On January 15, all vessels shall contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the dredge ILLINOIS via VHF-FM channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
- January 16, 2021: traffic will be open to all vessels with no restrictions.
- January 17, 2021 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are restricted from transiting between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
On January 17, all vessels shall contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V LAYLA RENEE via VHF-FM channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and/or industry-wide email.
Vessels intending to arrive or depart the Mississippi River on the day of a closure must arrive at Pilottown (outbound) no later than 4:00 a.m. or Southwest Pass Entrance Light (inbound) no later than 3:30 a.m. on the morning of the closure.
For additional information, contact:
Waterways Management: SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hour): (504) 365-2200
Vessel Traffic Center (24 Hour): (504) 365-2514 or VHF-FM channels 5A, 12 or 67
