The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans, under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, will establish a moving safety zone around the heavy load carrier vessel ZHEN HUA 23 as she transits the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) between the Southwest Pass Sea Buoy and Port of New Orleans Terminal, mile marker (MM) 101. The moving safety zone extends from bank to bank encompassing one-mile ahead and one-mile astern of the vessel. This safety measure is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with congested maritime traffic on the LMR and the limited maneuverability and visibility of the vessel. The zone remains in effect during the entire transit of the vessel, from 6 a.m. on December 5, 2021 through 8 p.m. on December 15, 2021.
While the vessel is at anchor the safety zone is not active.
All vessels are prohibited from entering the safety zone unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or designated representative. For the Safety Zone, the designated representative will be the Pilot directing movement of the heavy load carrier vessel ZHEN HUA 23 under the authority of the master. Vessels that have made suitable passing or overtaking arrangements with the pilot onboard the vessel ZHEN HUA 23 may enter into this safety zone in accordance with those agreed upon arrangements. Moored vessels or vessels anchored in a designated anchorage area may remain in their current moored or anchored position while the vessel ZHEN HUA 23 transits the area.
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 VTS measure for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from MM 91 to MM 101 AHP on:
• December 9, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are restricted from transiting between MM 91 to MM 101 AHP.
Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and/or industry-wide email.
For additional information, contact the following:
Waterways Management: SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hour): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Center (24 Hour): (504) 365-2514 or VHF-FM channels 5A, 12, or 67
