Waterway Status – Temporary Moving Safety Zone – Lower Mississippi River

This is an update to Marine Safety Information Bulletin, Vol. XVIII, Issue 100, distributed on 28 December, 2018. Due to weather-related delays, this temporary moving safety zone is extended.

The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans, under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, will establish a moving safety zone on December 28, 2018 on the Lower Mississippi River between Mile Marker (MM) 165 and the Gulf of Mexico. The moving safety zone consists of a 100-yard radius around the M/V NIREAS. This safety zone is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the limited maneuverability of a dead-ship tow. This rule is effective from December 28, 2018 at 6:00 a.m. until January 11, 2018 or such a time as the vessel has completed its southbound transit to the Gulf of Mexico. The safety zone will not be enforced while the M/V NIREAS is at anchorage.

All vessels are prohibited from entering the safety zone unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or designated representative. For this Safety Zone, the designated representative will be Vessel Traffic Center Lower Mississippi River. Vessels with permission to enter the safety zone intending to meet or overtake the M/V NIREAS shall make arrangements with the attending pilot via VHF FM Channel 67.

The Sector New Orleans Command Center may be contacted at the below number in the event of an emergency.

For additional information, contact the following:

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Channel 05A, 11, 12

CAPTAIN K. M. LUTTRELL
Captain of the Port New Orleans