LOUISIANA MARITIME ASSOCIATION (LAMA)
Morning Report
Friday, February 17, 2012
National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/ntas.shtm
No Threat Advisory Issued.
Www.louisianamaritime.org
Key Navigation Issues
RIVER CLOSURE:
The Lower Mississippi River is closed from MM 135-140 AHOP due to a vessel collision and subsequent oil spill.
The vessels involved are the ALYDAR and the CLARENCE W SETTOON.
Investigations are continuing and more information should be forthcoming.
Fog Conditions
Algiers Point Navigation – Current Status – Open to Navigation
Southwest Pass Navigation – Current Status – Open to Navigation. No delays reported.
---------HPL Bridge Navigation Issues - UPDATED
CONFIRMED WEEK: For the week of February 20th, KMTC will continue the retrofit work in Span two, but will maintain at least
500 ft of clearance within the navigable channel at all times.
PROPOSED: For the week of February 27th, it is proposed to have no air draft restrictions.
- All vessels with an air draft in excess of 120 feet and intending to transit the Huey P. Long Bridge are required to notify the Vessel
Traffic Service at least two hours in advance of arrival.
- Air draft is defined as the maximum vertical height of a vessel reported in feet when it will reach the Huey P. Long Bridge site at
MM 106 AHP.
- MTI will require a Minimum Wake from 7am through 7pm, Monday through Saturday.
Operational Advisories and Restrictions Now In Place.
USCG
MARINE SAFETY BULLETIN Volume XII, Issue 15: SAFETY ZONE: LMR MM135-MM140 AHOP – BARGE COLLISION
AND OIL SPILL-NEW
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans, under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, has established a
safety zone on the Lower Mississippi River, Above Head of Passes, from MM 135 to MM 140. This safety zone is needed to protect
persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with a vessel collision and subsequent oil spill in the waterway.
All vessels are prohibited from entering this safety zone unless they have been granted permission by the Captain of the Port New
Orleans or designated representative. Only vessels involved with the response effort are permitted within the safety zone. All other
vessels requesting permission to enter or transit through this safety zone are required to contact the Vessel Traffic Service. The Vessel
Traffic Service (call sign "New Orleans Traffic") can be reached on VHF Ch. 5A.
MARINE SAFETY BULLETIN Volume XII, Issue 12: CARROLLTON GAUGE AT 12 FEET AND FALLING – 13 February 2012
The Carrollton gauge indicates a Mississippi River stage of 12 feet on the fall.
The following regulations are no longer effective:
1.
Title 33, Part 165, Subpart 803, Paragraph (M) of the Code of Federal Regulations -- Stricter barge fleeting standards on the
Lower Mississippi River are no longer required.
2.
Towing downstream on a hawser between Julia Street (MM 95.3) and Desire Streets (MM 93.5) with an assist or tail vessel is
no longer required.
The following regulations remain in effect:
1.
The Harbor Traffic Control Lights remain in operation and vessel traffic is being regulated in the vicinity of Algiers Point.
The Harbor Traffic Control lights are located at Governor Nichols light, 94.3 AHP, LDB, LMR (LLNR 13855/34770), Gretna light
96.6 AHP, RDB, LMR (LLNR 13880/34795), and the Westwego repeater light, 101.4 AHP, LDB, LMR (LLNR 13950).
2.
Downbound vessels check in with Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (call sign "New Orleans Traffic") not
lower than Huey P Long Bridge, MM 106.1, AHP (SHIPS and TOWS) and the Marlex Terminal, MM 99.0, AHP (SHIPS and
TOWS). Upbound vessels check in with "New Orleans Traffic" not 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).
3.
Governor Nicholls Light 94 and Gretna Light 97 (navigation lights) are not operating.
MARINE SAFETY BULLETIN Volume XII, Issue 09: HIGH WATER SAFETY ADVISORY: LMR MM 232-237 – 03
FEBRUARY 2012
As a result of the Baton Rouge Gauge reading 28 feet and expected to continue to rise, the COTP New Orleans has issued a Safety
Advisory from Mile Marker (MM) 232 to MM 237, Lower Mississippi River (LMR). The following are recommended based on the
current gauge reading:
Wilkinson Point:
A. It is recommended that line-towing companies and tow operators use towing vessels with a horsepower ration of 240HP per barge
and a maximum of 36 barges per tow for southbound transit around MM 232 to MM 237 LMR, which included Wilkinson
Point. Empty barges may be calculated at half the horsepower requirements to that of a loaded barge when computing the overall
horsepower requirement.
B. Towing vessels with 8000HP are allowed to push a 35 barge tow make up (400HP less than requirement stated above).
C. Owners/Operators are reminded to ensure towing vessel inspections are completed before entering the RNA as per 33 CPF
165.810(f).
D. Line-towing companies should consider staffing vessels with the most experienced crews.
For further information, contact the following:
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge: (225)298-5400 Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge CDO: (225)281-4785
Coast Guard Sector Command Center New Orleans (24 hours): (504)365-2200
MARINE SAFETY BULLETIN Volume XI, Issue 08: Baton Rouge High Water Safety Advisory – 31 JANUARY 2012
As a result of the Baton Rouge gauge reading 25 feet and expected to continue to rise, the COTP New Orleans has issued a Safety
Advisory from MM 219 to MM 229, Lower Mississippi River (LMR). The following are recommendations for the advisory:
Port Allen Lock:
A. It is recommended that Canal Tows 600 feet in length or greater, excluding the length of the towing vessel, use a Private Assist
Vessel with a minimum of 1000 horse power when entering and exiting the Port Allen Locks.
B. Canal Tows exiting the Port Allen Locks intending to head northbound are recommended to proceed southbound and then top
around at or below MM 226 prior to heading north.
C. Owner / Operators are reminded to ensure towing vessel inspections are completed before entering the RNA as per 33 CFR
165.810 (f).
D. Companies should consider staffing vessels with the most experienced crews.
E. Towing vessels are recommended to catch a headline when entering the Port Allen Lock.
F. Vessels will be put on queue for lock turn when their tow is built and may remain in the area in which their tow was built until it is
time for lock turn.
For further information, contact the following: Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge: (225) 298-5400
Recent Worldwide Piracy Reports
The Senior Watch Officer from the Office of Naval Intelligence has provided the following advisory:
1.
REPORTS FROM MARITIME FORCES AND COMMERICAL MARITIME INTERESTS INDICATE CONCERN WITH THE
POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED DISRUPTION TO SHIPPING IN CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE IRANIAN NAVAL
EXERICISES. DURING PREVIOUS EXERCISES IRANIAN MARITIME FORCES CONDUCTED BOARDINGS AND
INSPECTIONS OF MERCHANT SHIPS, INCLUDING THOSE FLAGGED TO EUROPEAN NATIONS. THE POSSIBILITY
EXISTS THAT IRAN WILL ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT BOARDINGS AND INSPECTIONS DURING EXERCISES BETWEEN
DECEMBER 2011 AND MARCH 2012. THE MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR THIS ACTIVITY WOULD BE IN THE
VICINITY OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS CLOSER TO IRANIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS.
Please share with vessel owners, operators and charterers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BAR Pilots
Operational Area – SWP to Pilot town
Normal Operational Draft - 45' Freshwater. (See temporary restrictions below)
Current Restrictions in Place – Updated January 2, 2012
Maximum recommended draft for all vessels in Southwest Pass is 44 feet.
On December 31, 2011 Capt Mike Lorino, President of the BAR Pilots provided the following information:
"Due to channel conditions, Bar Pilots are lowering the draft to 44ft fresh water in their operating territory effective
Monday, January 2,2012."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------Crescent Pilots
Operational Area – Pilot town to Mile 90 AHOP
Normal Operational Draft - 47' Freshwater (See temporary restrictions below)
Current Restrictions in Place – Updated January 27, 2012
As of January 26, 2012 at 1739 Local the Pilots have changed their recommended draft to:
44 feet for the Crescent Pilot operating territory from Pilottown to Venice.
46 feet for Crescent Pilots' operating territory from Venice to mile 104.7 AHP.
On JANUARY 17, 2011, the Crescent Pilots provided the following information:
"Due to deteriorating channel conditions in the Pilottown area, the Crescent River Port Pilots are reducing the recommended
draft to 42' effective 0600 Wednesday January 18."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------NOBRA Pilots
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 – None.
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------LMR Federal Pilots
Current Restrictions in Place – As below.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
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. MUSTANG SURVIVAL PFD RECALL NOTICE - RECALL NOTICE ON MD2010 & MD2012 model 22LB Inflatable
Personal Flotation Devices
The United States Coast Guard strongly urges mariners and boaters alike to check their Mustang Survival PFDs. Mustang Survival is
voluntarily recalling all model number MD2010 and MD2012 inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) sold in the United States
during 2011.
Upcoming Scheduled Events of Interest
1. CY 2012 Tentative Dates for USCBP Quarterly Agents Meeting



May 17, 2012
August 15, 2012
November 15, 2012

February 21, 2013
Continuing every third month on the Third Thursday of the month.
Today's Lower Mississippi River Conditions
1. Today's Southwest Pass Tides
Tides for Southwest Pass starting with February 17, 2012.
Day
High
Tide Height Sunrise
/Low Time Feet Sunset
Moon Time
% Moon
Visible
F 17 Low 3:14 AM -0.7 6:35 AM Rise 3:12 AM
17 High 5:42 PM 1.2 5:49 PM Set 1:56 PM
26
Sa 18 Low 4:00 AM -0.6 6:34 AM Rise 4:02 AM
18 High 6:49 PM 1.1 5:49 PM Set 2:57 PM
17
Su 19 Low 4:41 AM -0.5 6:33 AM Rise 4:47 AM
19 High 7:50 PM 1.0 5:50 PM Set 3:57 PM
10
M 20 Low 5:12 AM -0.3 6:32 AM Rise 5:26 AM
20 High 8:45 PM 0.9 5:51 PM Set 4:56 PM
4
Tu 21 Low 5:30 AM -0.2 6:31 AM Rise 6:03 AM
21 High 9:36 PM 0.6 5:52 PM Set 5:53 PM
1
W 22 Low 5:28 AM 0.0 6:30 AM Rise 6:36 AM
22 High 10:26 PM 0.5 5:52 PM Set 6:49 PM
0
Th 23 Low 4:59 AM 0.1 6:29 AM Rise 7:09 AM
23 High 11:29 AM 0.3 5:53 PM Set 7:43 PM
23 Low 4:15 PM 0.2
23 High 11:24 PM 0.3
0
F 24 Low 3:57 AM
24 High 11:12 AM
0.2 6:28 AM Rise 7:41 AM
0.4 5:54 PM Set 8:37
3
2. Today's River Stages, Bridge Air Gaps, Lock Status – UPDATED Daily
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------River Stages
No information available at this time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------Bridge Air Gaps
No information available at this time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------Lock Status
Today's Lock Status
Last Update as of Feb:
Lock Name
Status
Max Queue (HR)
Head (Feet)
Day
Time
Algiers
Open
11
8.9
16
0728
Harvey
Open
0
11
14
0639
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal
Open
12
9.6
17
0657
Port Allen
Open
1
26.6
17
1639
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
3. Today's Weather Forecast:
MIDDLE GULF BETWEEN 85W AND 90W
330 AM CST FRI FEB 17 2012
TODAY AND TONIGHT
N OF 27N NE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT BECOMING SE
TONIGHT. SEAS 2 TO 3 FT. S OF 27N SE TO S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT.
SEAS 2 TO 3 FT. SCATTERED SHOWERS N OF 26N.
SAT
SE TO S WINDS 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 4 TO 6 FT.
SAT NIGHT AND SUN
S TO SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT BECOMING NW TO N
20 TO 25 KT BEHIND FRONT. SEAS 4 TO 6 FT BUILDING TO 5 TO 8 FT.
WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND NEAR NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND TSTMS
AHEAD OF FRONT.
MON
NE TO E WINDS 15 KT EXCEPT NE 15 TO 20 KT FAR SE. SEAS 4
TO 7 FT.
4. Today’s LMR PORTS Screen (Includes HPL Air Gap Sensor Reading AND River Velocities).
Lower Mississippi River PORTS, NOAA/NOS 2012-02-17 08:09 CST
----------------------------Water Levels (above MLLW)--------------------------Carrollton-LWRP
10.2 ft, Steady Pilottown
1.1 ft, Steady
Pilots St. East
0.6 ft, Steady
--------------------------------------Winds------------------------------------Spd Dir Gusts
Spd Dir Gusts
Pilottown
7 kn NE 11 Pilots St. East
14 kn NE 16
----------------------------Air and Water Temperature--------------------------Air Water
Air Water
Carrollton-LWRP
47 °F Pilottown
58 °F 49 °F
Pilots St. East
55 °F 48 °F
-------------------------------Barometric Pressure-----------------------------Pilottown
1018 mb Rising Pilots St. East
1019 mb Rising
-----------------Air Gap/Bridge Clearance (above water surface)----------------Huey P. Long Bridge 138.2 ft, Stdy. Crescent City
158.8 ft, Stdy.
------------------Currents (F)lood, (S)lack, (E)bb, towards °T-----------------Spd
Dir
Spd
Dir
Port Allen
3.1 kn (E), 183.0°T First Street Wharf 3.4 kn (E), 60.0°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.
Update Posted Here: Feb 17, 2012 - Updated
Below is the latest 10-day river stage prediction information from the USACE.
The LMR at New Orleans is anticipated to fall 2.6 feet to 9.6 feet by the 26th of February.
7. LMR River Crossings Surveys
Note: The following River Crossings Surveys are provided by the ACOE.
This information is updated as received.
Update Posted Here: February 16, 2012 - Updated
Note: Column 4 provides the date of survey for the specific crossings.
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’.
Below are the latest USACE survey results for the LMR crossings, with updated survey information for the crossings at Bayou Goula,
Alhambra, Philadelphia, and Smoke Bend.
Changes from the previous surveys at these locations, which were completed on February 7th and February 8th, are reflected below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------Capt Ron
Ronald W Branch, CAPT. USCG (Ret.)
President
Louisiana Maritime Association (LAMA)