Please find below Mississippi River daily report for August 15, 2024
A Daily Publication of the New Orleans Board of Trade
07:15 hrs. - 08/15/2024
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 the crossings above New Orleans.
Pipeline Removal: Mile 158 – Navigational Restrictions: Pipeline removal operations at Mile 158.1 will begin on August 28th. During the removal, which is scheduled to last until Mid-September, the following restrictions to navigation will be in place:
One Way Traffic through the area 24 hours a day
During Working Hours, (0600 – 1900), Vessels with a draft of 40 feet or greater will be prohibited from transiting the area. (Draft Restriction will only be in place from 08/28 - 09/05)
Additional information will be provided closer to the start of operations.
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.
U.S. Coast Guard Notices:
TEMPORARY SAFETY ZONE:
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 Fete-Dieu Du Mississippi Flotilla. The moving safety zone will extend for 2 miles around the M/V KNIGHT HAWK. This safety measure is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with a moving flotilla of vessels and the potential for marine traffic congestion on the Lower Mississippi River.
This safety zone will be in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on August 14, 2024 and 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on August 15, 2024. Mariners can expect the New Orleans Harbor area, from Mile Marker (MM) 92.7 to MM 95.7, to be closed from approximately 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on August 15, 2024.
All vessels are prohibited from entering the safety zone unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New Orleans, the designated representative, or the pilot onboard the M/V Knight Hawk.
1. The pilot onboard the M/V KNIGHT HAWK will be directing the movement of the flotilla. The M/V KNIGHT HAWK will have AIS activated to identify the general location of the flotilla. The pilot will be monitoring VHF CH 67 and 69.
2. Vessels that have made suitable passing or overtaking arrangements with the pilot may enter this safety zone in accordance with those agreed upon arrangements.
3. Moored vessels or vessels anchored in a designated anchorage area may remain in their current moored or anchored position while the flotilla transits the area.
4. Barge Fleets or vessels working a fleet may continue their current operations while the flotilla transits the area.
All vessels requesting permission to enter or transit through these safety zones are required to make arrangements via the contact methods listed above. Each request to transit through the safety zone will be evaluated and permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Coast Guard - Hurricane Season 2024 The 2024 Hurricane Season commences June 1st and continues through November 30th. You are strongly encouraged to review your existing hurricane plan or develop a plan if you do not have one. It is extremely important to decide in advance how to minimize your risk and be prepared to evacuate as necessary.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) will set hurricane port conditions in accordance with the Sector New Orleans Maritime Hurricane Contingency Port Plan (MHCPP). The MHCPP is available on the Coast Guard Homeport website https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/new-orleans. This plan describes actions the COTP will take in anticipation of a hurricane or tropical weather conditions, outlines the requirements of each port condition, and includes information regarding vessel movements and mooring requirements during anticipated landfall.
Starting this hurricane season, COTP New Orleans will transition from paper to electronic forms for all MHCPP hurricane reporting forms. Electronic reporting will expedite our ability to gather and distribute time-sensitive information. These electronic forms are for reporting to the COTP New Orleans only and shall not be used for any party or entity in another COTP Zone. All COTP New Orleans MHCPP hurricane forms can be accessed using the QR Code below or at https://linktr.ee/secnolahurricanereporting. Please provide feedback or issues experienced to SecNOLA-WPM@uscg.mil.
Furthermore, the COTP emphasizes the importance of properly maintaining and securing your equipment during hurricane season. Important hurricane-related information will be provided to the maritime community, as needed, through Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNMs), and industry-wide emails.
Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) Annual Hurricane Operation Plans
In accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 165.838, all floating vessels are prohibited from entering or remaining in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, Harvey Canal, and Algiers Canal, while the RNA is enforced. However, all facilities that have vessels intending to deviate from the requirements and remain within the RNA during the enforcement period shall develop an Annual Hurricane Operation Plan and provide a copy to the COTP as prescribed within 33 CFR 165.838(e)(1). Guidance outlining the requirements for the Annual Hurricane Operation Plan can be found in enclosure (6) of the Sector New Orleans MHCPP.
Mariner Distress Communications
Mariners are reminded that while operating in the VTS Lower Mississippi River Area, all VTS Users are required under 33 CFR 161.12 (d) to notify the VTS of any marine casualty, pollution incident, defect or discrepancy to an aid to navigation, hazardous condition, improper operation of vessel equipment required by 33 CFR 164, or a hazardous vessel operating condition. A hazardous condition is any condition that may adversely affect the safety of any vessel, bridge, structure, or shore area or the environmental quality of any port, harbor, or navigable waterway of the United States. VTS Users should notify the VTS on VHF Channel 05A, 12, or 67 or via phone at 504-365-2514. Mariners are encouraged to review 33 CFR 161.12 and the VTS LMR user guide to ensure reporting requirements are being met. The VTS LMR User Guide can be found on Homeport at https://homeport.uscg.mil/missions/ports-and-waterways/vessel-traffic-services/vts-lower-mississippi-river/user-guides.
For further information, contact:
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
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.
VESSELS SCHEDULED TO DEPART IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS:
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
U.S. Corps of Engineers: VELOCITY READING (NEW ORLEANS) -1.5 Knots Mississippi River - Projection- Based off 48 Hours of Forecast Rainfall Mississippi River - NOLA Projection- Based off 16 Days of Forecast Rainfall (Experimental)-
Weather Information: Tropical Weather:
Tropical Storm Ernesto:Tropical Weather OutlookNWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL800 AM EDT Wed Aug 15 2024 For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico: Active Systems:The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on HurricaneErnesto, located north of Puerto Rico. Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.15-Day Weather Forecast:New Orleans area 15-Day Forecast:New Orleans, LA Weather Forecast | AccuWeatherBaton Rouge area 15-Day Forecast: Baton Rouge, LA Weather Forecast | AccuWeather NOAA Fog Forecast:
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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