Please find below Mississippi River daily report for May 20, 2024
A Daily Publication of the New Orleans Board of Trade
07:15 hrs. - 05/20/2024
New 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.
Mooring and unmooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities and any berth that requires the use of a mooring boat shall be restricted to daylight hours along the NOBRA Route.
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.
Carrollton Gauge -12 Feet and Rising: When the Carrollton Gauge reads 12 feet and rising, the following operating requirements will be in effect: 1. For barge fleets located between MM 88 and MM 240 AHP, additional high-water requirements are found in 33 CFR 165.803(m). 2. For all other barge fleets (below MM 88), a Safety Zone in accordance with 33 CFR 165.20 or other Traffic Control Measures may be established to enhance the safety of barge fleets. The 33 CFR 165.803 regulations requiring stricter barge fleeting standards on the LMR may be extended to include all barge fleets in these areas. 3. Downbound vessels planning to transit Algiers Point are prohibited from towing on the hawser without prior permission from Vessel Traffic Service LMR. The following operating requirements remain in effect: 1. As per 33 CFR 161.65, the Governor Nicholls traffic light, Gretna Harbor traffic light, and Westwego traffic lights are energized. The Governor Nicholls Navigation Light and Gretna Navigation Light are extinguished. 2. As required by 33 CFR 165.810(b)(3), tows are prohibited from transiting VTS special areas by a vessel with insufficient power to permit ready maneuverability and safe handling (unable to maintain an average speed of at least 3 MPH (2.6 knots). 3. For all vessels operating in the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) below Mile Marker (MM) 233.9 Above Head of Passes (AHP), including South Pass and Southwest Pass, additional high-water requirements are found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 165.810. 4. All Deep Draft vessels to include Ocean-going Towing vessels should have three means to hold position unless moored to shore or a mooring buoy. 5. Downbound Ocean-going Towing vessels towing on the hawser should consult with the appropriate pilot association to determine the need for assist tugs. 6. Towing vessels should review MSIB Vol XIX, Issue 007, “Towing Vessel Safety Advisory During High Water,” issued 15 January 2019 for additional provisions. This MSIB supersedes Volume XXIV, Issue 024, “Carrollton Gauge at 8 Feet and Rising.”
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.
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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