The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port New Orleans, under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, has established multiple safety zones within the Captain of the Port New Orleans area of responsibility. These safety zones are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with waterborne activities and fireworks displays. Below is a list of dates and times established safety zones will be enforced.
1. Mandeville July 4th Celebration
a. Date and time: July 3, 2023 from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
b. Location: Lake Pontchartrain near Mandeville Lakefront
c. Designated Representative: St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Office; POC: Officer Brady (985) 276-1396, Officer McCrea (985) 960-1120
2. St. John the Baptist/Independence Day Celebration
a. Date and time: July 3, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
b. Location: Lower Mississippi River MM 137.5 to MM 138.5 AHP, Reserve, LA
c. Designated representative: USCG Station New Orleans, VHF-FM Channel 16
3. Madisonville Old Fashion 4th of July
a. Date and time: July 4, 2023 from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m.
b. Location: Tchefuncte River, 100-yard radius around 30°24′11.63” N, 090°09′17.39” W, in front of Madisonville Town Hall
c. Designated Representative: St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Office, POC: Officer Brady (985) 276-1396, Officer McCrea (985) 960-1120
4. Go 4th New Orleans/Independence Day Celebration
a. Date and time: July 4, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
b. Location: Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker (MM) 94 to 95 above Head of Passes (AHP), New Orleans, LA
c. Designated Representative: The Port of New Orleans Harbor Police Department; POC: LT Chris Smith (504) 390-4786
5. L’Auberge Casino Fireworks
a. Date and time: July 4, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
b. Location: Lower Mississippi River MM 216.5 to 217.5 AHP, Baton Rouge, LA
c. Designated representative: East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, VHF-FM Channel 16, or phone (225) 733-8085
6. WBRZ-TV Fireworks Display
a. Date and time: July 4, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
b. Location: Lower Mississippi River MM 228.8 to 230, above Head of Passes, Baton Rouge, LA
c. Designated representative: East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, VHF-FM Channel 16, or phone (225) 733-8085
All vessels are prohibited from entering these safety zones unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or designated representative. The Captain of the Port’s designated representative for each safety zone is listed above. All vessels requesting permission to enter or transit through these safety zones are required to contact the designated representative via the contact methods listed above. Each designated representative will evaluate and allow vessels to transit through the safety zone on a case-by-case basis.
For additional information, contact the following:
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Vessel Traffic Service (24 hours): (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12 or 67
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil
MSU Baton Rouge Waterways Management: (225) 298-5400 x230 or MSUBatonRougeWWM@uscg.mil
