The Captain of the Port New Orleans, 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 (LMR) at Mile Marker (MM) 158.1 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the Gulf South pipeline removal operations.
Pipeline removal operations will begin near the Right Descending Bank (RDB) and move toward the Left Descending Bank (LDB). River operations will occur 24 hours per day and will impact the navigation channel. Operations will include the use of divers, multiple vessels, and spudded/anchored barges. As operations progress from the RDB to the LDB, two bypass channels will be utilized. The entire width of the river, from one mile upstream to one mile downstream of the project will be single beam surveyed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) no more than 7 days in advance of in-river operations commencing.
The following restrictions are in effect:
Vessels shall check in with the Contact Pilot onboard the BB-70 on VHF-FM channel 67 at the following locations for direction and the latest information:
· Transiting Southbound: Sunshine Bridge, MM 167 AHP
· Transiting Northbound: Hester Light, MM 151.5 AHP
· Vessels commencing voyages between the check-in points planning to transit past operations shall check-in prior to getting underway.
The dates and times listed below are subject to change. The most up to date information regarding pipeline removal operations and associated restrictions will be published in the New Orleans COTP Navigation Outlook (subscribe here).
| Date | Restrictions |
| August 27 – Sep 4
Navigational Channel Working Hours: 0600-1900 |
All vessels are restricted to one way traffic 24 hours per day. Vessels shall check in with Contact Pilot and proceed as directed.
Between approximately 0600-1900, all vessels shall transit through the LDB bypass channel. Vessels transiting the LDB bypass channel are restricted to 40 feet of draft. Outside of above hours, pipeline removal vessels will relocate near the LDB outside of the navigational channel. Vessels should utilize the navigation channel when transiting the work area. The navigation channel is federally maintained to 50 feet and there are no draft restrictions.
|
| September 4 – 10
Navigational Channel Working Hours: 24/7
|
All vessels are restricted to one way traffic 24 hours per day. Vessels shall check in with the Contact Pilot and proceed as directed. Vessels shall transit through the RDB bypass channel 24 hours per day. There are no draft restrictions.
|
| September 10 – 21
Working Hours: 24/7 |
All vessels are restricted to one way traffic 24 hours per day and shall transit through the federally maintained navigation channel 24 hours per day. Vessels shall check in with the Contact Pilot and proceed as directed.
Pipeline removal operations will be outside of the navigation channel. There are no draft restrictions. |
The project manager is Jake Voisine and may be contacted at (337) 296-6467. The BB-70 can be contacted via phone at (337) 210-9564 or (337) 210-9565.
For further information, contact the following:
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hours): (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 11, or 67
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or WWMNOLA@uscg.mil
