Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a series of VTS measures for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 0 to MM 2.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the installation of temporary submerged discharge line for Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA) dredging operations crossing the channel, and are in effect with the following provisions:
• October 2 to October 3, 2022 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: vessels are restricted to one-way traffic between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
• October 4, 2022 and October 6, 2022 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are restricted from transiting between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
Contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the dredge EW ELLEFSON via VHF-FM channels 67, or (832) 462-6197 for questions or status updates.
Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and/or industry-wide email.
Vessels intending to arrive or depart the Mississippi River on the day of a closure must arrive at Pilottown (outbound) no later than 5:30 a.m. or Southwest Pass Entrance Light (inbound) no later than 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure.
For additional information, contact:
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or Secnola-wpm@uscg.mil
