RE: CORPS’ 2019 REVETMENT SCHEDULE AND TRANSIT RESTRICTIONS 121819

A revised schedule for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) 2019/2020 Mississippi River Bank Stabilization with applicable navigation restrictions, is listed on the second page of this document. Previously distributed revetment work locations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans have been revised to account for the current plans that have been adjusted based on river stage forecasts. The three locations below New Orleans have been completed and work is expected to continue at the five locations between New Orleans and Baton Rouge until late January 2020.

The revetment Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) extends from approximately 300 to 800 feet channelward from the bank. When the Unit is not folded in, it extends about 600 feet from the bank channelward. When it is folded in, the MSU extends 250 feet from the bank. The normal scheduled working times for the MSU are from 0600 hours to 1900 hours. At several of the remaining locations the working times may be adjusted to accommodate deep-draft traffic to move through during daylight hours.

The revetment mat sinking operations at Aben/Bringier Point ceased on December 15, 2019 due to complications related to the elevated river stages. The MSU commenced work at Missouri Bend on December 16, 2019 after relocating from Aben. The restrictions for Missouri Bend are listed in the attached Marine Safety Information Bulletin issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The ongoing work at Missouri Bend is scheduled to cease at noon on Sunday, December 22nd and to resume at noon on Wednesday, December 26th.

The Pilots and Coast Guard’s Lower Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Service will utilize the Contact Pilot on the MSU to coordinate vessel movements in the vicinity of these operations. The planned 2019 revetment operations include work at several key locations where the banks have been compromised by the extended high river stages. The work dates were established to focus on the priority locations first However, throughout the bank stabilization efforts changes based upon river stages and experience with vessel transits should be anticipated. The Corps, Coast Guard, Pilots and BRC will work closely with industry to ensure that changes are noted and distributed as warranted and available.

2019 /2020 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Above New Orleans

Location	Mile (Right or Left)	2019 and 2020 Scheduled Date(s)	Restriction
Missouri Bend	219.3 RDB	December 16 to December 22 December 26 to December 28	One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night, MSIB attached.
Manchac Bend	215.4 LDB	December 29 to January 1	*Transit restrictions to be established at a later date.
New River Bend	190.4 LDB	January 11 to January 15	One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.
Aben (Upper)	172.5 RDB	January 16 to January 17 January 20 to January 22	*Transit restrictions to be established at a later date.
Saint Alice	163.8 RDB	January 23 to January 25	No traffic during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.

*The transit restrictions and working hours at the Aben and Manchac Bend locations will require additional discussions between the NOBRA and Federal Pilots with the U.S. Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers. Transit restrictions and adjusted working times are to be expected. The approved details will be broadcast upon receipt and prior to the start of work at Manchac Bend, presently scheduled for December 29, 2019.

Safety Advisory – Missouri Bend Revetment Operations MM 219 RDB AHP LMR

MSIB_Vol_XIX_Issue_096_Revetment_Operations__MM_219.pdf

The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a safety advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 218.5 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 219.5 AHP. This advisory is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revetment operations occurring along the right descending bank (RDB) near MM 219 AHP (Missouri Bend). The revetment operations will be conducted daily from 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM from December 16 – 22, 2019 and December 26 – 27, 2019. During times of actual revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) will extend approximately 600-800’channelward from the bank. At the conclusion of daily operations, the platform will remain on-scene and will extendapproximately 300’ from the RDB into the river.

This measure is in effect each day from December 16, 2019 through December 22, 2019 and December 26, 2019 through December 27, 2019 with the following provisions:

• All vessels are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 218.5 to MM 219.5 AHP LMR from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM during daily operations.
• All vessels shall transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake from MM 218.5 to MM 219.5 AHP LMR.
• All vessels shall contact the USACE on-scene pilots stationed on the M/V HARRISON or M/V WILLIAM

JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and/or via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

This Marine Safety Information Bulletin supersedes MSIB Volume XIX Issue 093, VTS Measure – Aben Revetment Operations at Bringier Point, MM 172 RDB AHP LMR, dated December 12, 2019.

For further information, contact:

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (225) 298-5400 ext. 230
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67