Highlight:
- No movement is authorized on the Lower Mississippi River from MM 20 BHP to MM 303 AHP without permission from the COTP or designated representative.
- The restriction of movement is intended to minimize wakes from transiting vessels that could potentially damage flood protection structures.
- This does not preclude the movement of any vessel to prevent or mitigate a potentially hazardous condition or the ability of fleet boats to transit light boat to conduct necessary safety checks on fleets.
- Vessels transiting in the river system when ZULU is set may continue northbound to a safe refuge. All vessels shall contact the Vessel Traffic Service prior to movement.
The full MSIB is below/attached.
Set Port Condition ZULU
MSIB_Vol_XIX_Issue_049_Port_Condition_ZULU.pdf
Effective at 5:00 pm local, in preparation for severe weather, the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector New Orleans has set Port Condition ZULU in accordance with the Maritime Hurricane Contingency Port Plan (MHCPP) for the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 20 Below Head of Passes (BHP) to MM 303 Above Head of Passes (AHP).
Requests for deviation from requirements for Port Condition ZULU should be directed to the Lower Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Center.
The MHCPP is available online at http://homeport.uscg.mil/nola.
Both the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal/Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the Harvey/Algiers Canals Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) are in effect as per Title 33 CFR 165.838.
If unable to comply, vessels shall contact the Waterways Management Division at SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil with the mitigating efforts they will take while remaining within the RNA.
All facilities that have an Annual Hurricane Operations Plan (AHOP) shall moor their vessels in accordance with those plans.
Mariners are advised that the Harvey and IHNC Locks are closed to vessel navigation.
The following flood gates are closed: GIWW East Closure Bypass Gate, GIWW East Closure Sector Gate, Bayou Bienvenue Lift Gate, Seabrook Complex, Bayou Dupre Sector Gate, Caernarvon Sector Gate, and old Bayou Bienvenue Gate.
The Coast Guard will identify any vessels that propose a significant risk and issue individual COTP orders for immediate evacuations.
No movement is authorized on the Lower Mississippi River from MM 20 BHP to MM 303 AHP without permission from the COTP or designated representative.
The restriction of movement is intended to minimize wakes from transiting vessels that could potentially damage flood protection structures.
This does not preclude the movement of any vessel to prevent or mitigate a potentially hazardous condition or the ability of fleet boats to transit light boat to
conduct necessary safety checks on fleets.
Vessels transiting in the river system when ZULU is set may continue northbound to a safe refuge. All vessels shall contact the Vessel Traffic Service prior to movement.
All vessels and facilities within the COTP New Orleans AOR are strongly urged to implement these measures:
* Secure missile hazards and clear nonessential equipment and loose gear.
* Secure/remove hazardous materials or cargos to a safe location, especially drums.
* Oil transfer terminals not engaged in transfer operations should drain all loading arms and hoses of product, blank off hoses, and empty/clean small discharge containment.
* Mooring lines doubled up with due consideration given to the effects of predicted storm surge.
* If moored, outboard anchor rigged at a short stay.
* Ensure sufficient number of officers and crew onboard to tend mooring lines, and/or get underway.
* Vessel ballasted to ensure maximum safety.
* All side ports, hatches, portholes, and other openings are closed and secured.
* All firefighting equipment is ready for immediate use.
* A continuous radio watch maintained on Channel 16 and 67 VHF-FM.
* If at anchorage, at least two anchors set, if equipped with two anchors.
* If at anchorage, vessels should remain ready to get underway within 15 minutes.
* Spare mooring lines and/or wires should be readily available.
* Facility storage tanks should be pressed up or empty (it is preferred to have empty and/or pressed up tanks vice multiple tanks partially full).
* Styrene and other similar product-producing facilities should take additional precautionary measure.
Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, the COTP may close portions of the port in response to forecasted weather and actual damage, impact, or threat in different geographic areas within the port.
The COTP may establish a Safety Zone controlling vessel movements and activities as appropriate, including all Navigable Waters of the United States within 12 nautical miles of shoreline. All vessels are strongly urged to maintain a safe distance from the offshore safety fairways to protect the integrity of the navigational shipping lanes.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 Email address: SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hour): (504) 365-2200
Vessel Traffic Center (24 Hour): (504) 365-2230 or VHF-FM channels 67 or 12
Coast Guard District Eight Bridges: (504) 671-2128
National Response Center (24 Hour): 1-800-424-8802
CAPTAIN K. M. LUTTRELL
Captain of the Port New Orleans
