Mississippi River Condition
Please note Hale Boggs Bridge (Mile 121.6) is now the lowest bridge in lower Miss River.
Today’s air draft for Hale Boggs is 137.63 ft
Key Navigation Issues: - Key interests highlighted or in RED below.
Navigation Conditions
The Lower Mississippi River (LMR) Navigation: Open
High Water Conditions – The LMR at New Orleans is expected to rise to a height of
17.0’. For an update “Click Here”.
The USCG has issued a number of river closures, restrictions and advisories in response
to high-water conditions.

Update. For a composite list of restrictions for all western rivers. (Click here.)

Update. USCG VTS Measure – Restrictions of Vessel to Vessel Cargo Transfers When
Carrollton Gauge is Above 15 Feet. (Click here).

Update. IMTT Mooring Restrictions. (Click here).

MSIB XV Issue 098 – Carrollton Gauge at 12 Ft on the Rise. (Click here).

MSIB XVI Issue 004 – High Water Safety Advisory: VTS Measure at MM 219 to MM 240
AHP LMR. (Click here).
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Today’s Carrollton River Gauge: 15.02 FT
Today’s Reserve River Gauge: 20.98 FT
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Bridge Clearances:
Hale Boggs Bridge (Mile 121.6 is now the lowest bridge in the Miss River. Max air draft is
137.02 FT
Hale Boggs Bridge calculated height: 158' minus the current Reserve River Gauge.
(Huey P Long Bridge Mile 106) Max air draft for today is 137.28 FT
*** Please note that the Huey P. Long Bridge is the lowest bridge in the Miss River unless
in very high river conditions (over 15’),
then the lowest becomes the Hale Boggs (Mile 121.6). ***
Huey P Long Bridge calculated height: 152.3' minus the current Carrollton River Gauge.
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Below Operational Advisories and Restrictions Now In Place:
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Please note we are now in our fog season.
Fog prediction is very hard for our forecasters due to the vast amount of heavy
swamplands that we have with changing wind and water temperatures.
These light winds that cross the many bodies of water surrounding us have
a huge part in the formation of fog in addition to the usual reasons. Usually the forecasters
can predict possible heavy fog a day or 2 out but sometimes we do have heavy fog
show up that was not predicted.
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Approaching High river alert.
The table below shows what we are expecting to happen by January 12th . The River is expecting
to crest at our flood stage of 17.0.
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Federal and State Pilot Information and Draft
Recommendations/Restrictions
1. Federal Pilots – SWP to Mile 233.5 AHOP
Restrictions In Place: None
2. BAR Pilots – SWP to Pilottown (Mile 1.9 AHOP)
Draft Recommendation – Unless restrictions are in place; . Max FW
Draft is 47’
Restrictions in Place – None.
3. Crescent Pilots – Pilottown (Mile 1.9 AHOP) to Mile 104.7 AHOP
Draft – Unless restrictions are in place; Max FW Draft is 47’.
Restrictions in Place – None.
4. NOBRA Pilots – Mile 104.7 AHOP to Mile 233.5 AHOP
Draft - Unless restrictions are in place:
Recommendation
Mile 104.7 to Mile 180 AHOP: Max FW Draft is 47'.
Mile 180.0 to Mile 232.1 AHOP: Max FW Draft is 45'.
Mooring Rules
1. When the river reaches seven (7) feet at the Carrollton Gage, all headdown landings will be conducted during daylight hours only.
2. Above LMR MM 220, vessels drafting 41’ or greater are
restricted to daylight only. Exceptions will be made for shifts from berths to/from the Middle
Baton Rouge anchorage.
As of December 2, 2015 NOBRA Pilots modified their draft
recommendations as follows: (Click here)
The draft from Mile 90 to Mile 180 is 47’.
The draft from Mile 180 to
Mile 234 is 45’.
(All MM are AHOP)
As of December 14, 2015 NOBRA implemented their High-water
restrictions as follows:
Effective immediately and continuing until the Carrollton Gage reaches
12 feet and falling the following restriction applies:
"Mooring and unmooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities shall be
restricted to daylight hours."
The official letter is attached. (Click here)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Daily LMR River Stage 5-Day Predictions
Below is the latest 5-day river stage prediction information from NOAA.

The LMR at New Orleans is predicted to rise 2.3’ feet from 14.7’ to a crest of 17.0’ on
Jan 12.

Current predictions indicate the LMR is on the rise.

Released 1955 Hrs Local 1/06/16
(1) All stage forecasts include 24 hours of future rainfall.
LMR River Stage 28-Day Extended Predictions
Information released at 1418 hours on 01/06/2016.
Posted 01/07/2016
The long-range river stage prediction shows the LMR at New Orleans reaching a crest height
of 17.0'.
The USACE uses water control methods (Old River Control, Bonnet Carre’ and Morganza
Spillways) to prevent the LMR from rising above 17.0’ at New Orleans.
Note:
(1) All stage forecasts include 24 hours of future rainfall.
(2) The National Weather Service updates the extended forecasts
each Wednesday.
Updates will be reflected on the Thursday report.
(3) Red River Landing (RRLL1), Baton Rouge (BRRL1), Donaldsonville (DONL1)
Reserve (RRVL1), New Orleans (NORL1)
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CARROLLTON GAUGE AT 12 FEET ON THE RISE – USCG MSIB
As a result of the Carrollton Gauge reading 12 feet and rising, the following operating
requirements are in effect:
1.
33 CFR 165.803 (m) requires stricter barge fleeting standards on the Lower
Mississippi River.
2.
33 CFR 165.810 (b)(2) describes high-water requirements for all vessels
operating in the Lower Mississippi River below mile 233.9 AHP including South Pass and
Southwest Pass.
3.
In addition to the above requirements, the Algiers Point Vessel Traffic Control
lights are energized and vessel traffic is being regulated within Algiers Point. The Vessel
Traffic Control lights are located at:
Governor Nicholls Light, 94.4 AHP, LBD, LMR (LLNR 13630/33185), Gretna Light, 97.6
AHP, RDB, LMR (LLNR 3655/33210), and the Westwego Repeater Light, 101.4 AHP, RDB,
LMR (LLNR 13715).
4.
Downbound vessels: Check in with Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi
River (call sign "New Orleans Traffic") no lower than the Huey P Long Bridge, MM 106.1,
AHP (SHIPS and TOWS), and the Marlex Terminal, MM 99.0, AHP (SHIPS and TOWS).
5.
Upbound vessels: Check in with "New Orleans Traffic" no higher than the
Algiers Canal Forebay, MM 88.0, AHP (SHIPS), Industrial Canal, MM 92.7, AHP (SHIPS and
TOWS), and Crescent Towing Smith Fleet, MM 93.5, AHP (TOWS).
6.
In accordance with 33 CFR 160.111 (c), the COTP has determined that during
periods of high water, unless moored to a shore side facility or mooring buoys, all deep
draft vessels must have three means to hold position. An example would be two fully
operational anchors and the propulsion system in standby. Should a vessel lose an
anchor or become inoperable with no redundant capabilities available, such as aft
anchors or two main engines, a third means of holding position could be via tug assist.
Mariners should also familiarize themselves with:
MSIB XV, Issue 13 Vessel Anchoring Capabilities
This Marine Safety Information Bulletin supersedes Volume XV, Issue 93 Carrollton
Gauge at 8 Feet on the Rise.
For further information, contact the following:
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (24 hours): (504) 365-2230,
VHF-FM ch 12 Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center (24 hours): (504) 3652543 Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
CAPTAIN P.C. SCHIFFLIN
Captain of the Port New Orleans
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***
EBOLA Updates
MARAD Ebola Advisory 2014-02 (Click here). Posted September 4, 2014
COMDT MSIB 12-14 – Ebola Virus Precautions (Click here). Posted Sept 5, 2014.
USCG/USCBP Joint Statements on EBOLA (Click here). Posted Oct 13, 2014.
USCG MSIB Issue 76 – Vessel Reporting Requirements from Countries Posing an Ebola Virus
Threat. (Click here) Posted Oct 13, 2014.
COMDT USCG MSIB 17_14 Ebola Virus Update. (Click here) Posted October 20, 2014.
LAMA Email-USDA Grain Inspections and Ebola High Risk Vessels. (Click here) Posted
October 20, 2014.
COMDT USCG MSIB 17_14 Ebola Virus Update Change 1. (Click here). Posted October 30,
2014.
MARAD Ebola Advisory 2014-03 (Click here). Posted November 24, 2014.
CDC Guidance: Monitor Crew and Manage Suspected EVD Cases on Cargo Ships. (Click
here). Posted Jan 13, 2014.
National Maritime Intelligence Center – Maritime Piracy Reports
1. Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly – PAWW - Posted Dec 31, 2015. Click here
2. Worldwide Threat to Shipping – WTS - Posted Dec 31, 2015.
Click here
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***
Low Sulfur Fuel Oil requirement update:
As of 1 January 2015 vessels operating with fuel oil will be required to use fuel with a SOx
content of 0.10% or less (down from the current restriction of 1.00%). As an alternative,
vessels will be required to use either a distillate, an alternate fuel, or install a scrubber that
removes sulfur from the exhaust after combustion.
This MSA provides an update to the guidance regarding Ultra Low Sulfur
Fuel Oil & Compliance with MARPOL Requirements.
Here are the two new items provided by this update:


(New) As part of the master-pilot information exchange (as required by 33 CFR
164.11(k)), discuss the vessel's maneuvering characteristics, including any change in
RPMs associated with ULS fuel oil;
(New) Determine if using ULS fuel necessitates amendments to the pilot card (see IMO
RES A.601(15) and NVIC 7-89);
Link: USCG Marine Safety Alert (MSA) 03-15 LSFO Information (Click here). Posted Nov 19,
2015.
MSIB 011 – NA ECA Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Change Over Concerns (Click here). Posted Jan 13,
2015.
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Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)
Beginning January 1, 2015 CBP will begin issuing penalties to any vessel arriving without a
valid AGM certification.
See Below for more info.
As follow-up on this subject, please be advised that on Aug 11, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued the attached
bulletin officially announcing that the U.S. will begin penalizing vessels that arrive in the
U.S. during the AGM high risk period without a valid AGM inspection certificate. Of
special note, the bulletin states the following:
QUOTE:
Beginning January 1, 2015 CBP will begin issuing penalties to any vessel arriving without a
valid AGM certification from a valid certification body during the high risk period, as well
as the two year ports of call data for the vessel. Any vessel that does not present the
required documentation prior to January 1, 2015, and has in fact visited an AGM port
during the high risk season will be issued a warning.
UNQUOTE
Penalties for arriving in Canadian waters without an AGM certificate remain unchanged.
Please note, the USDA did not indicate in this announcement what the amount of the
penalty might be. However, at least one of the ships for which we are agent has already
been warned about arriving without an inspection certificate and the master was told that
the penalty would be US $5000 for a first offence and US $10,000 for any subsequent
violations during a high risk period after January 01, 2015.
With only three exceptions, all areas of Canada and the U.S. are now in their “high risk”
periods for Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM). (Alaska “high risk” period begins April 01;
Hawaii and Puerto Rico are too warm for AGM and have no high risk periods.)
As such, USDA and the Canada Food Inspection Agency have issued the attached notice to
industry and remind us of the following:
For vessels which have called on areas regulated for AGM during the specified periods, as
outlined the attached Notice, the following measures are required:
1. Vessels must be inspected and must obtain pre-departure certification
2. Vessels must arrive in North American ports free from AGM
3. Vessels must provide two year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in
a North American port, to the Canadian or U.S. agent
The notice also has a nice chart showing the ASIAN HIGH RISK periods for the Russian
Far East, northern China, Korea and the various regions in Japan.
Finally, please also note the following which is the next to last paragraph of the
notice. This reminds vessel operators that an AGM inspection done days before
departure is virtually worthless.
Upon arrival in North America, there have been detections on vessels that obtained
predeparture
certification. Where certification has been issued many days prior to ship departure
from an area regulated for AGM, re-infestation can occur. Therefore, it is important that
inspection and certification be conducted as close to time of departure as feasible. It is
also of vital importance that a ship’s crew ensures freedom from AGM by conducting
inspection of the ship superstructure while en route to North America and removing and
destroying all life stages of AGM detected.
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