UPDATE 22JAN2021: USCG SECTOR New Orleans MSIB Volume XXI, Issue 002 is amended to extend revetment repair operations one additional day, until 1900 on January 23, 2021. Waterway restrictions will continue as described in the MSIB.
ORIGINAL POST: The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing a safety advisory for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 198 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 212 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 left descending bank (LDB) near MM 200 (St. Gabriel Revetment) and along the right descending bank (RDB) near MM 209 (Plaquemine Bend revetment).
Revetment operations began January 3 and will continue through January 14, 2021, including the weekend. Revetment operations will be suspended from January 15 until January 18, then resume January 19 with anticipated completion January 22, 2021. During revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit will extend approximately 300-800′ channel ward from the bank. The platform will be removed from the channel within 2 hours of work ending. Each evening when the platform is removed from the channel, the USACE contact pilots will direct vessels in the southbound queue to proceed, and then allow northbound traffic to continue once the southbound queue is clear. Mariners are advised to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake whenever passing the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU).
The following restrictions are in effect while the MSU is conducting revetment maintenance operations:
-All vessels (except as described below) are prohibited from entering a zone extending from 1 mile upriver to 1 mile downriver from the MSU.
-Northbound vessels having a draft of less than 25 feet may transit around the MSU after contacting the USACE contact pilots stationed on the M/V WILLIAM JAMES via VHF-FM Channels 67 or 82 to make passing arrangements.
-Towing vessels pushing small tows approximately 1-2 barges in length may be able to transit past the revetment operation during working hours if deemed safe by the USACE contact pilots.
This Marine Safety Information Bulliten SUPERSEDES Volume XX Issue 133 dated 30 Dec 2020. Updates and/or changes will be disseminated via VTS email distribution and via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
For additional information, contact the following:
Coast Guard MSU Baton Rouge: (225) 281-2875
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2542
Vessel Traffic Services Lower Mississippi River (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67
