The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Safety Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) at the locations listed below, to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) revetment operations. Unless otherwise noted, the following vessel restrictions and channel closures apply during working hours only:
| Location | Mile | Working Hours | Vessel Restrictions |
|
Vacherie |
148.8 RDB |
September 25 – October 8
0600 – 1900 |
· No southbound ship traffic during working hours. · Northbound ship traffic limited to a maximum draft of 38 feet or less during working hours. · One-way traffic 24/7. · MSU to fold in at night. · Upper Grandview Anchorage above Crescent Fleet will be CLOSED 24/7. |
| Cut Off | 87.4 RDB | October 10 – October 23
0600 – 1900 |
· All ship traffic limited to one-way transits during working hours.
· MSU to fold in at night. |
| Poydras | 80.5 LDB | October 24 –October 31
0600 – 1900 |
· No southbound ship traffic during working hours.
· MSU to fold in at night. · Lower 12 Mile Point Anchorage upriver of MM 80, AHP, will be CLOSED 24/7. |
| English Turn | 76.7 RDB | November 1 – November 9
0600 – 1900 |
· One-way transits on slow bell during working hours.
· MSU is not required to fold in at night. |
During times of actual revetment work, the MSU extends from approximately 300 to 800 feet into the channel from the bank. When the MSU is not folded in, it extends about 480 feet from the bank channel ward. When folded in, the MSU extends 250 feet from the bank.
The Pilots and Vessel Traffic Service will utilize the Contact Pilot on the M/V William James on VHF FM Channels 82 and 67 to coordinate vessel movements. Points of contact on board are Damon Williams at 504-756-9821 and Bruno Touchard at 985-215-9798.
Updates will be disseminated via Sector New Orleans COTP Navigation Outlook.
For further information, contact:
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hour): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hour): (504) 365-2514, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or WWMNola@uscg.mil
