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) 0.0 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 the Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA) discharge pipeline that will be crossing the navigation channel, and are in effect with the following provisions:
- November 17, at 6:00 a.m., to November 19, at 6:00 a.m.: One-way traffic between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
- November 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transitingbetween MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
- November 19, at 6:00 pm, to November 21, at 6:00 a.m.: No traffic restrictions.
- November 21 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transitingbetween MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP
- (Back-up Date) November 23, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: All vessels are prohibited from transiting between MM 0.0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
Contact the on-scene pilots stationed on the dredge R.S. WEEKS via VHF-FM channels 67 and 71, or at (985) 237-5013 for questions or status updates.
Pilot boats are exempt from the above provisions during river closures.
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.
Updates and/or changes to this schedule will be broadcast via COTP Navigation Outlook and/or Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
For additional information, contact:
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2514, VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 12, or 67
Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 365-2545
Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 or WWMNOLA@uscg.mil
