LOUISIANA MARITIME ASSOCIATION
Morning Report For:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/ntas.shtm
No Threat Advisory Issued.
Key Navigation Issues
Storm Watch
No Restrictions to navigation in place at this time. All river Pilot services operating.
-----------As a reminder to all deep draft vessel's rock op's are ongoing @ MM105.
Down bound vessels should contact the KACI LUHR on Ch-67 @ Upper 12 Mile Pt and up bound vsl's should
contact the KACI LUHR @ 6 Mile Pt.
-----------HPL Bridge Navigation Issues:
Scaffolding Operations at Huey P Long Bridge all vessels exceeding a vertical
clearance of 120' minus the Carrollton gage must give a 2hr notice to transiting
the bridge today from 0700 to 1900.
Next Scheduled River Closure at HPL Bridge:

For the week of Sept 5th: There are no Main or Alternate Channel Span
closures planned.
All deep draft vessels are reminded that vessels with a airdraft in excess of 120ft must give a two hour notice
prior to transiting the HPL Bridge, contact the T/V BILL O'DONNELY on Ch-67 for further information.
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BAR Pilots Draft Restrictions at SWP – Effective August 5, 2011
Maximum recommended freshwater draft for all vessels from Southwest Pass Sea
Buoy (Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "SW") to Mile 1.5 AHOP is 46 feet.
NOBRA Pilots High Water Restrictions – Effective August 8, 2011
1. Vessels transiting up to and including MM 180 AHP will be restricted to 47' or less; and
2. All vessels transiting above MM 180 AHP will be restricted to 45' or less.
CRESCENT RIVER PORT PILOTS – Effective Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Pilots advise a separation scheme between vessels transiting this area to allow enough time to react in the
event of an incident.
in addition, they may request one-way traffic when conditions warrant.
Operational Advisories and Restrictions Now In Place.
USCG
MSIB Volume XI Issue: 90
Safety Zone
Salvage of Sunken Barges
All vessel traffic shall:





Request permission to enter the SZ area from VTS NOLA on VHF channel
12 or 67
Check in points are:
 No lower than MM 239 for southbound vessels
 No higher than MM 228 for northbound vessels
Be restricted to one-way traffic between MM 230 – MM 232
Maintain the slowest safe speed
Transit as close to the RDB as safely possible
When: From 1400 Thursday, September 1, 24 hours a day until salvage ops are completed.
Where:
LMR – MM 230 to MM 234 extending the full width of the river (With One-Way
traffic from MM 230 – 232)
Why:
Salvage operations of sunken barges in vicinity of MM 231 (Barges sank during
high water)
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BAR Pilots
Operational Area – SWP to Pilot town
Normal Operational Draft - 45' Freshwater.
Current Restrictions in Place
Maximum recommended draft for all vessels in Southwest Pass is 46 feet.
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Crescent Pilots
Operational Area – Pilot town to Mile 90 AHOP
Normal Operational Draft - 47' Freshwater
Current Restrictions in Place
THE PILOTS ADVISE A SEPARATION SCHEME BETWEEN VESSELS TRANSITING THIS AREA
TO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO REACT IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT.
IN ADDITION, THEY MAY REQUEST ONE-WAY TRAFFIC WHEN CONDITIONS WARRANT.
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NOBRA Pilots
Operational Area – Mile 90 to Mile 233.5
Normal Operational Draft - 47' Freshwater up to Mile 180 AHOP and 45' Freshwater from Mile 180 to 232.1
AHOP
Current Restrictions in Place
1. Vessels transiting up to and including MM 180 AHP will be restricted to 47' or less; and
2. All vessels transiting above MM 180 AHP will be restricted to 45' or less.
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LMR Federal Pilots
Current Restrictions in Place
In reference to the above NOBRA Pilot operating restrictions; Captain Steve Paquette,
President of the Federal River Pilots reports the Federal Pilots are making operational
decisions on a case by case basis.
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Reports of Marine Incidents and Safety Advisories Affecting
Navigation on the LMR
i. The Coast Guard has released a precautionary notification regarding vessel transits in the vicinity of
Fukushima, Japan. The message is as follows:
In the event a vessel bound for a U.S. port transits within the 'cautionary area' described as a
50 mile (43 nautical miles/80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (37°N,
141°01'E) the U.S. Coast Guard recommends the vessel's master submit transit information,
including the date and total time within the cautionary area, to the cognizant U.S. Coast
Guard Captain of the Port using the comment block in the routine submittal of their 96-hour
Advanced Notice of Arrival.
ii. CBP Statement Concerning Radiation Monitoring of Travelers, Goods from Japan
To address radiological and nuclear risks, CBP employs several types of radiation detection
equipment in its operations at both air and sea ports, and uses this equipment, along with
specific operational protocols, to resolve any security or safety risks that are identified with
inbound travelers and cargo.
iII. 24MAR11 Waterway Status - Navigation Advisory Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker
216.5 LDB- Amended
Manhattan Construction Company is conducting construction operations
in the vicinity of mile marker 216.5 Lower Mississippi River on the LDB.




All vessel traffic is advised to proceed at the slowest safe speed when transiting
through the area so as to minimize wake.
Construction equipment may extend out 35 to 50 yards from the tree line towards the
channel on the LDB.
All vessel traffic is advised to use caution and maintain a distance of 100 yards from
the LDB when transiting the area.
Manhattan Construction Company and the towing vessel MISS VIRGINIA will be
monitoring and may be contacted through VHF Channel 67 or via telephone at (281)
541-1711 for further information.
IV. NAVIGATION SAFETY ADVISORY – Location of Sunk Barges - USCG SECTOR NEW
ORLEANS MSIB - Volume XI, Issue 55
On May 20, 2011, three loaded dry cargo barges sank in the Lower Mississippi River between
MM 231 and MM 234.
The GPS coordinates and related depth of water at the wreckage site are reported as follows:
*
Near mid-channel MM 231 in approximately 68 feet of water- N 30'28.162" W
091'11.728"
*
Near mid-channel MM 233.5 in approximately 85 feet of water- N 30'29.277" W
091'11.687"
*
Near the Left Descending Bank (LDB) MM 234 in approximately 115 feet of waterN 30' 30.255" W 091'11.719"
Mariners are advised that these measurements were taken on May 22, 2011, with a reading
of 44.51 feet on the Baton Rouge gauge. The barges will not be able to be salvaged until the
speed of the current on the river falls to approximately 2.3 miles per hour, a safe level for
salvage divers to enter the water.
Upcoming Scheduled Events of Interest
None to report.
Lower Mississippi River Conditions
1. Southwest Pass Tides
Tides for Southwest Pass starting with September 6, 2011.
Day
High
/Low
Tide
Time
Height
Feet
Sunrise
Sunset
Moon
Time
% Moon
Visible
Tu
6
6
High
Low
4:38 AM
3:36 PM
1.9
0.2
6:38 AM
7:14 PM
Set
Rise
1:14 AM
3:29 PM
62
W
7
7
High
Low
5:55 AM
4:23 PM
1.9
0.3
6:39 AM
7:13 PM
Set
Rise
2:14 AM
4:14 PM
72
Th
8
8
High
Low
7:08 AM
5:00 PM
1.8
0.4
6:39 AM
7:12 PM
Set
Rise
3:12 AM
4:54 PM
81
F
9
9
High
Low
8:14 AM
5:26 PM
1.7
0.6
6:40 AM
7:10 PM
Set
Rise
4:09 AM
5:29 PM
88
Sa
10
10
High
Low
9:14 AM
5:36 PM
1.5
0.7
6:40 AM
7:09 PM
Set
Rise
5:05 AM
6:02 PM
94
Su
11
11
11
High
Low
High
10:12 AM
5:24 PM
11:41 PM
1.4
1.0
1.1
6:41 AM
7:08 PM
Set
Rise
5:59 AM
6:33 PM
97
M
12
12
12
12
Low
High
Low
High
3:19
11:15
4:41
10:56
AM
AM
PM
PM
1.0
1.3
1.1
1.2
6:41 AM
7:07 PM
Set
Rise
6:51 AM
7:04 PM
99
Tu
13
13
13
13
Low
High
Low
High
5:02
12:42
3:17
10:50
AM
PM
PM
PM
1.0
1.2
1.1
1.4
6:42 AM
7:06 PM
Set
Rise
7:44 AM
7:35 PM
99
2. River Stages, Bridge Air Gaps, Lock Status
Note: USACE Lock Status update not available at this time.
3. Today’s Offshore Weather Forecast:
MIDDLE GULF BETWEEN 85W AND 90
430 AM CDT TUE SEP 06 2011
TODAY
N OF 25N NW TO N WINDS 15 TO 20 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 TO
15 KT AND SHIFTING N TO NE S OF 28N LATE. SEAS 8 TO 11 FT
SUBSIDING TO 4 TO 7 FT LATE. S OF 25N S TO SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT
DIMINISHING TO 10 TO 15 KT LATE. SEAS 4 TO 7 FT. SCATTERED TSTMS
ALONG FRONT.
TONIGHT THROUGH WED NIGHT
AHEAD OF FRONT SW WINDS 10 TO 15
KT. SEAS 6 TO 7 FT. W OF FRONT N TO NE WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 4 TO 7
FT IN N SWELL. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND TSTMS ALONG FRONT.
4. Today’s LMR PORTS Screen (Includes HPL Air Gap Sensor
Reading AND River Velocities).
Lower Mississippi River PORTS, NOAA/NOS 2011-09-06 06:06 CDT
----------------------------Water Levels (above MLLW)--------------------------Carrollton-LWRP
3.5 ft, Rising Pilots St. East
1.9 ft, Steady
--------------------------------------Winds------------------------------------Spd Dir Gusts
Spd Dir Gusts
Pilottown
10 kn
N
13 Pilots St. East
18 kn
N
21
----------------------------Air and Water Temperature--------------------------Air
Water
Air
Water
Carrollton-LWRP
83 °F
Pilottown
68 °F
83 °F
Pilots St. East
72 °F
82 °F
-------------------------------Barometric Pressure-----------------------------Pilottown
1011 mb Rising
Pilots St. East
1012 mb Rising
-----------------Air Gap/Bridge Clearance (above water surface)----------------Huey P. Long Bridge
145.3 ft, Stdy.
Crescent City
165.0 ft, Stdy.
------------------Currents (F)lood, (S)lack, (E)bb, towards °T-----------------Spd
Dir
Spd
Dir
Port Allen
2.3 kn (E), 183.0°T First Street Wharf
1.4 kn (E), 63.0°T
5. Information Regarding Hale Boggs (Luling) Bridge Air Gap
Luling Bridge Cable Repairs – Reduced Air Draft:
The LULING “HALE BOGGS” BRIDGE is undergoing cable repairs thru the summer,
2012.
The work on the Luling Bridge will focus on one side at a time leaving the other
half of the bridge available for unobstructed navigation at the bridge's stated
height of 158.4 less the Reserve Gage.
The NOBRA Pilots are requesting a 10' buffer zone for reporting purposes. They
are asking that any vessel that has an air draft measurement that falls within 10'
of [158.4 less the Reserve Gage] to contact VTS NOLA with the vessel
information. This will aid the NOBRA Pilots in the navigation of the bridge.
6. LMR River Stage Predictions
Note: The following River Stage Predictions are provided by the ACOE.
This information is updated as received.
Updated: September 1, 2011
Here is the latest river stage prediction report from the USACE.
The LMR at New Orleans is predicted to drop a total of 7 tenths of a foot from 4.4' town to
3.7' over the next ten days
7. LMR River Crossings Surveys
Note: The following River Crossings Surveys are provided by the ACOE.
This information is updated as received.
Updated: Sept 1, 2011
specific crossings.
- Note: Column 4 provides the date of survey for the
Please see the attached file for the latest controlling depths at the Mississippi
River Crossings.


Areas highlighted in yellow indicate depths of 50’ or less.
Areas highlighted in red indicate depths below 45’.
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Capt Ron
Ronald W Branch, CAPT. USCG (Ret.)
President
Louisiana Maritime Association (LaMA)
rwbranch@earthlink.net