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 Mile Marker (MM) 65 to MM 67 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with pipe laying operations and are in effect with the following provisions:
• August 22, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time, all vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 65 and MM 67 AHP.
• August 24, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time, all vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 65 and MM 67 AHP. This scheduled back-up closure would only be utilized if the scheduled operations above were not successful or were delayed.
Vessels should contact Vessel Traffic Service via VHF-FM channel 12 or at (504) 365-2514 for questions or status updates. Additionally, dredge vessel JS CHATRY will be on station and may be contacted on VHF-Channels 16 and 67 in support of local traffic. The point of contact for the operation is Mr. Cliff White who can be contacted at 251-769-1939.
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:
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hours): (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12 or 67
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
