MSIB XXIII-019

The Carrollton Gauge reads 12 feet and rising, the following operating requirements are in effect:

1. For barge fleets located between MM 88 and MM 240 AHP, additional high-water requirements are found in 33 CFR 165.803(m).
2. For all other barge fleets (below MM 88), a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Measure is established in accordance with 33 CFR 161.11 or Safety Zone in accordance with 33 CFR 165.20, to enhance the safety of barge fleets. The 33 CFR 165.803 regulations requiring stricter barge fleeting standards on the LMR are extended to include all barge fleets in these areas.
3. Downbound vessels wishing to transit Algiers Point are prohibited from towing on the hawser without prior permission from COTP.

The following operating requirements remain in effect:

1. In accordance with 33 CFR 161.65, the Governor Nicholls Harbor Traffic Control Light 94, Gretna Harbor Traffic Control Light 97, and the Westwego Traffic Light 102 are energized.
2. The Harbor Traffic Control Lights are located at: Governor Nicholls Light, MM 94.3, AHP, Left Descending Bank (LDB), LMR (LLNR 13855/34770), Gretna Light, MM 96.6, AHP, Right Descending Bank (RDB), LMR (LLNR 13880/34795), and Westwego Traffic Light, MM 101.4, AHP, RDB, LMR (LLNR13950).
3. The Governor Nicholls Navigation Light 94 and the Gretna Navigation Light 97 are extinguished while Traffic Control Lights are operating.
4. In accordance with 33 CFR 160.111 (c), the COTP has determined that during periods of high water, unless moored to a shore side facility or mooring buoys, all deep draft vessels must have three means to hold position. An example would be two fully operational anchors and the propulsion system. Should a vessel lose an anchor or suffer a propulsion casualty, and the vessel does not have redundant capabilities available, such as aft anchors or two main engines, then a third means of holding position could be via tug assist.
5. Mid-Stream cargo transfers must be preceded by 48-hour notice.

Midstream cargo transfers may be conducted at the designated anchorages within the New Orleans COTP zone as defined by 33 CFR 110.195(a), with exception of the General Anchorage (MM 90.1 – 90.9 AHP) and the Quarantine Anchorage (MM 90.9 – 91.6 AHP). This requirement does NOT affect:

1. Vessel-to-vessel transfers, which take place at a Coast Guard regulated facility.
2. Bunkers or delivery of ships stores.
3. Cargo operations, which take place in a designated and established mid-stream, buoy system.

Anyone wishing to conduct vessel-to-vessel cargo transfers not specifically exempted as noted above, should contact the Sector New Orleans Facility Compliance Branch at (504) 365-2370 or by e-mail at FacilitiesNOLA@uscg.mil. A Midstream Transfer Notice form was supplied in MSIB XXIII Issue 006.

6. All vessels, facilities, and vessel agents planning to warp a vessel should consult with the appropriate pilot association prior to warping.
7. Tows are prohibited from transiting VTS special areas by a vessel with insufficient power to permit ready maneuverability and safe handling (unable to maintain an average speed of at least 3 MPH (2.6 knots).
8. For all vessels operating in the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) below Mile Marker (MM) 240 Above Head of Passes (AHP), including South Pass and Southwest Pass, additional high-water requirements are found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.810

Mariners should also familiarize themselves with MSIB XV, Issue 13 “Vessel Anchoring Capabilities.”

This MSIB supersedes Volume XXIII, Issue 017 “Carrollton Gauge at 12 Feet and Falling.”

For further information, contact the following: 

Vessel Traffic Service (24 hours): (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 11, 12, or 67
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Sector New Orleans Facility Compliance Branch: (504) 329-2370 or FacilitesNOLA@uscg.mil

Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil