The Big River Coalition’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 2023/2024 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions Update 12524 is HERE for your reference and the updated schedule of work provided by the USACE is HERE. 

Please review this Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for complete transit restrictions.

The USCG will utilize the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River 5-Day Outlook broadcasts to address the adjustments for the actual dates of work for revetment operations. The dates of work listed in the MSIB are no longer valid, but the transit restrictions are correct unless adjustments are required based on experience with actual working conditions and the impact of higher river stages.

This letter was issued by the New Orleans Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association (NOBRA) on January 3, 2024, to establish nighttime transit conditions for the Manchac and St. Gabriel locations. NOBRA released the attached guidance detailing that two pilots will be required for vessels transiting through after the daylight working hours for the revetment operations at the two upriver revetment locations between Burnside and Baton Rouge.

The two quotes below are reproduced from the guidance provided by NOBRA:

“All vessels traversing northbound and southbound between Burnside and Baton Rouge shall maintain two pilots on board. NOBRA pilots shall work in two pilot teams actively working together with one pilot serving as the conning pilot and the other serving as the resource pilot.[1]”

And

“Any ship 41 feet or greater choosing to traverse the restricted zone at nighttime between MM 180 AHP through MM 234 AHP shall utilize two pilots. The first pilot will accept the original orders and apply the change rules applicable to their order. The second pilot ordered will be assigned to northbound vessels at a Burnside change. The same will be applicable for any second pilot making a southbound change at Burnside. The second pilot on a southbound change shall depart the vessel at Burnside.”