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 the Great Lakes Dredge & Docks Company performing excavation and removal of submerged pipeline crossing the channel and are in effect with the following provisions:
- September 14, 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. Contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the dredge ILLINOIS via VHF-FM channels 67 or 82 for questions or status updates.
- September 19, 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. Contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the Tug LAYLA RENEE via VHF-FM channels 67 or 82 for questions or status updates.
- Alternate Date: September 21, 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.
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:
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or Secnola-wpm@uscg.mil
