Mississippi River measures for installation of saltwater barrier

28 Sep 2023 / New Orleans, United States

VTS measures for full river closure at MM 63.5 are being implemented from 0600 to 1800 hours local time on 28 & 30 September, to ensure navigation safety while WEEKS Marine constructs a saltwater barrier sill along the Right (Eastern) Descending Bank.

Further, VTS Safety Measures are also being taken to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ raising of the emergency Saltwater Barrier Sill at Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker (MM) 63.8 Above Head of Passes (AHP).

The new sill is being constructed to an elevation of minus 30’ with a 620’ wide, minus 52’ cut along the Left Descending Bank (LDB) allowing for deep draft vessels to transit.

The following channel restrictions are in effect:

  • All vessels are limited to one way traffic from MM 63.3 to 64.2 AHP confined to a channel 620’ wide. The channel is marked on its corners by four white buoys with fixed white all-around lights.
  • All vessels transiting this zone shall check-in with and take direction from the Contact Pilot onboard the Cutterhead Dredge J.S. CHATRY on VHF Channels 67 or 71 at the following points:
  • Southbound Vessels – Wills Point, MM 68 AHP
  • Northbound Vessels – Poverty Point, MM 59 AHP
  • All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed between MM 63.0 to 65.5 AHP.
  • Alliance Anchorage is closed to all traffic.
  • The Contact Pilot is the Coast Guard’s Designated Representative.

These measures will remain in effect until rescinded/adjusted at a future date.

Buoy Locations:
29 42 11.2845N, 089 58 44.1128W
29 42 01.5399N, 089 58 38.3448W
29 42 15.2087N, 089 58 37.7989W
29 42 04.2639N, 089 58 31.7873W

For further details as well as information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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