Please find below Mississippi River daily report for April 30, 2024 A Daily Publication of the New Orleans Board of Trade 07:15 hrs. - 04/30/2024New information (Except for the Air Draft, River Stages, and Vessel Information) is highlighted in Green
The Controlling Draft for Deep Draft Vessels is 50 Feet. There are two dredges working in Southwest Pass.
Pilot Recommendations: Bar Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet. Crescent Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet. NOBRA Pilots: Recommended loading draft is as follows: 50 feet from New Orleans to Mile 175 ; 47 Feet from Mile 175 - Mile 180; 45 feet from Mile 180 to Mile 234. Vessels with a draft of 41 feet or greater are required to transit the Baton Rouge Harbor (Mile 180 - Mile 234) during daylight hours only.
NOBRA Pilots - High Interest Vessels Vessels classified as HIGH Interest by the Coast Guard, A Federal Authority, Any State Authority, or the NOBRA Board of Directors, may require 2 pilots and be limited to daylight transit only along the NOBRA Route. Any customer of the NOBRA Pilots, docks, berths, moorings, agents, owner, or owner representative may petition the NOBRA Board of Directors to establish or remove the HIV classification. PER THE NOBRA PILOTS, A VESSEL ONLY REQUIRING A CREW CONTROL SECURITY PLAN (CCSP) BY THE COAST GUARD WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE 2 PILOT RULE.
Federal Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft:50 feet from the Sea Buoy to Mile 175; 45 feet from Mile 175 – Mile 232.4; and 40 feet from Mile 232.4 – Mile 233.8.
Waterway Status – USS KIDD Dead Ship Tow -Temporary Moving Safety Zone MM 230 AHP LMR to MM 20 BHP
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans, under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, will establish a moving safety zone around the decommissioned naval vessel USS KIDD, while towed in transit on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), between the Port of Baton Rouge, mile marker (MM) 230 and the Southwest Pass Entrance Lighted Buoy “SW”. The moving safety zone extends from bank to bank encompassing one half-mile ahead and one half-mile astern of the vessel. This safety measure is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with congested maritime traffic on the LMR and the maneuverability of the vessel as it is towed. The zone remains in effect during the entire transit of the vessel, from 12 a.m. on April 30, 2024 through 12 a.m. on May 02, 2024.
All vessels are prohibited from entering the safety zone unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or the designated representative.
For the Safety Zone, the designated representative will be the Pilot directing movement of decommissioned naval vessel USS KIDD under the authority of the master.
Vessels that have made suitable passing or overtaking arrangements with the pilot onboard the vessel USS KIDD may enter into this safety zone in accordance with those agreed upon arrangements.
Moored vessels or vessels anchored in a designated anchorage area may remain in their current moored or anchored position while the vessel USS KIDD transits the area.
Barge Fleets or vessels working a fleet may continue their current operations while the vessel USS KIDD transits the area.
Carrollton Gauge -8 Feet and Rising: The Carrollton Gauge is now reading 8 feet on the rise, and Vessel Traffic Service New Orleans is now enforcing High Water traffic operations for all vessels transiting the New Orleans Harbor, Algiers Point AOR. All vessels are reminded to check in with the New Orleans Vessel traffic on VHF CH12, for all northbound tow boats, the initial call is at Industrial Locks, and Smith’s fleet for the second. Northbound ships will check in at Algiers Locks for the initial call, and Alabo Street for the second. All northbound vessels are reminded to be prepared to hold up below Algiers Point, if traffic density dictates it. For southbound vessels, the check in points remain the same, Huey P Long Bridge for the initial call, and the Navy Ships mm 98.5, for the second. For further information contact New Orleans Vessel Traffic Service VHF-FM Ch. 05A, 11, or 67, or (24 hours): (504) 365-2514.
Lower Mississippi River Bridges Air-Draft Calculations: The above clearances were calculated this morning using gauge readings provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a guide the pilots require at least an additional 3 feet of clearance for the Vessel's Air Draft. The individual pilot assigned to the vessel will make the final determination of the vessel's allowable clearance. Actual clearance should be verified when ordering pilot services.
U.S. Corps of Engineers: VELOCITY READING (NEW ORLEANS) -3.2 Knots Mississippi River - Projection- Based off 48 Hours of Forecast Rainfall National Information: Marsec Level – 1
VESSELS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS:
VESSELS SCEHDULED TO DEPART IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS:
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
Mississippi River - NOLA Projection- Based off 16 Days of Forecast Rainfall (Experimental)-
Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.
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