INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL (IHNC):

 

The USACE reported hurricane damage to mooring bits on the Canal end of the IHNC Lock, there are continued repairs to the guidewall and dolphins, note below for exact details:

 

“Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock mariners are advised that the mooring bits located in the long guidewall on the canal end of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock are very unstable; you may use the wall to line up on when locking but DO NOT tie off on the mooring bits. 

 

Additionally, there is on-going construction, which includes hot work, at the forebay and tail bay of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock. Vessels shall adhere to the following: 

 

1.       Use extreme caution when entering and exiting the lock especially in the vicinity of the construction and keeping a safe distance from the construction.

2.       Navigate at a dead-slow speed with no wake whether workers are present or not.

3.       Use bumpers while locking.”

 

PORT ALLEN LOCK:  

 

The repairs to the floating guidewall are almost completed, the restrictions are listed below:

 

“Port Allen Lock’s NE Floating Guidewall is near repaired but has some remaining work to be addressed later. 

As a result, the following restrictions are in place until further notice:   

 

WESTBOUND RESTRICTIONS: 

•        All tows with more than one barge are required to use an assist vessel with a line attached at the head of the tow.

•        Single barge tows will be permitted to lock westbound without an assist vessel.

•        Do not attempt to “pivot” on the guidewall, therefore, vessels must flatten-out before making contact with the guidewall.

  

BAYOU BEOUF LOCK:

 

The chamber guidewall repairs at the Bayou Beouf Lock have resumed, the repair work will be conducted during scheduled daylight closures to navigation from Monday through Friday until approximately October 31, 2021.  

 

“Bayou Boeuf Lock is closed to navigation from 7 am until 7 pm (Daylight Hours), Mondays thru Fridays until approximately 31 October 2021 to construct the new south side chamber guidewall.”

 

OLD RIVER LOCK:

 

The Old River Lock will be operated with the restrictions noted below as the emergency bulkhead repairs resume, completion is now expected by September 30, 2021.

 

“The Old River Lock emergency bulkhead lowering carriage repairs, and the locking procedures have been extended through 30 September 2021.  

 

Until approximately 30 Sept 2021, the following restrictions/instructions are required for passage:

1. Tows are to enter the Lock at DEAD SLOW speed. 

2. All tows are restricted to no longer than 1100’ in length. 

3. All tows will line up along the floating guide wall before proceeding. 

4. Two line-handlers with life vests and bumpers will be required on both approach and exiting of the Lock. 

5. Vessels must be moored by bow and stern lines to floating timberheads.”

ALGIERS LOCK:

 

The Algiers Lock continues to operate during normal locking hours and mariners are advised to avoid the unstable dolphin structure adjacent to the upstream river end guidewall:

 

“Algiers Lock is currently open to navigation with normal locking hours of operation. 

Continuing until further notice, mariners are advised to avoid the dolphin at the end of the canal end long guidewall; the dolphin is unstable and a hazard to mariners. 

Tow restrictions are still in place in both directions to a maximum width and length of 54 feet W by 700 feet L or 70 feet W by 600 feet L. 

Mariners are advised to continue to avoid the end of the long, river end, guide wall, which is also unstable and a hazard to mariners.”