VTS Lower Mississippi River: 5 Day Outlook
22 September 2023
List of navigation restrictions, by date (please note, the associated MSIB is accurate, with the exception of the dates. The latest confirmed dates are listed out in the table below):
| Location | Date | Time | Closure or Restriction |
| Pipeline Removal Ops
LMR Mile 10-12, AHP MSIB – 052 |
September 20 -TBD | 24/7 | One-way traffic; Ships shall check in with contact pilots onboard BB-70 on VHF-FM Channel 67 |
| HDDA Dredge Ops
LMR Mile 0-2, AHP MSIB – 054 |
September 24-25
September 26 September 28 |
0600-1800
0600-1800 0600-1800 |
One-way traffic
Full river closure Full river closure |
| Saltwater Barrier Sill
LMR MM 63.5-64, AHP MSIB – 056 |
September 23 – until further notice | 24/7 | One-way traffic; ships shall check in with contact pilots onboard JS CHATRY on VHF-FM 67 or 71 |
| Harvey Lock | Until further Notice | N/A | Closed to all traffic (Low water impacts) |
| Algiers Lock | October 2- Dec 1 | N/A | Closed to all traffic (Emergency Repairs) |
| Boothville Anchorage | September 20 – TBD | N/A | Closed South of MM 14 to all vessels
|
| Alliance Anchorage | September 23 – TBD | N/A | Closed to all vessels |
| Point Celeste Anchorage
MSIB – 034 |
June 5 – OOA November 2023 | N/A | Closed between MM 49.8 – 51.5 to all vessels. |
- MSIB 052: LA – MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 10-12, AHP – Pipeline Removal Operations
From August 26 to approximately October 23, 2023, Gulf South and Broussard Brothers will be working at MM11, AHP to remove submerged pipelines. In-river operations to include the use of divers, multiple vessels – including anchored barges – will be working 24 hours per day and will impact the navigation channel.
Vessels shall check in with the Contact Pilot onboard the BB-70 on VHF-FM Channel 67 at the following locations for the latest navigation information and direction:
- Transiting Southbound: MM 22 AHP (Bolivar Point)
- Transiting Northbound: MM 2 AHP (Pilottown)
Boothville Anchorage south of MM 14 is closed for the duration of this operation.
MSIB Vol XXIII Issue 052 VTS Safety Measure – Pipeline Removal Operations MM 11 AHP LMR (Update 1).
- MSIB 054: LA – MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 0-2, AHP – HDDA Dredging Operations
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a VTS measure for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 0 to MM 2 Above Head of Passes (AHP). These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the installation of temporary submerged discharge line for Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA) dredging operations crossing the channel, and are in effect with the following provisions.
- September 24 to September 25, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: vessels are restricted to one-way traffic between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
- September 26, 2023, and September 28, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time: all vessels are restricted from transiting between MM 0 and MM 2.0 AHP.
MSIB Vol XXIII Issue 054 Waterway Status – Temporary Closure MM 0 – MM 2 AHP.
- MSIB 056: LA- MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MILE 63.8, AHP – SALTWATER BARRIER SILL CONSTRUCTION
The Captain of the Port New Orleans is issuing Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Safety Measures to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ raising of the emergency Saltwater Barrier Sill at Lower Mississippi River Mile Marker (MM) 63.8 Above Head of Passes (AHP). The new sill is being constructed to an elevation of minus 30’ with a 620’ wide, minus 52’ cut along the Left Descending Bank (LDB) allowing for deep draft vessels to transit. The following channel restrictions will be in effect beginning on September 23 at 1200:
- All vessels are limited to one way traffic from MM 63.5 to 64.0 AHP confined to a channel 620’ wide. The channel is marked on its corners by four white buoys with fixed white all-around lights.
- All vessels transiting this zone shall check-in with and take direction from the Contact Pilot onboard the Cutterhead Dredge J.S. CHATRY on VHF Channels 67 or 71 at the following points:
- Southbound Vessels – Wills Point, MM 68 AHP
- Northbound Vessels – Poverty Point, MM 59 AHP
- All vessels shall transit at their slowest safe speed between MM 63.5 to 65.5 AHP.
- Alliance Anchorage is closed to all traffic.
- The Contact Pilot is the Coast Guard’s Designated Representative.
- These measures will remain in effect until rescinded/adjusted at a future date.
- All vessels transiting this zone shall check-in with and take direction from the Contact Pilot onboard the Cutterhead Dredge J.S. CHATRY on VHF Channels 67 or 71 at the following points:
MSIB Vol XXIII Issue 056 – VTS Safety Measure – Saltwater Barrier Sill MM 63.8 – Update 2.
Advance Notice:
Revetment
Tentatively starting in December 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) will begin revetment operations on the Lower Mississippi River. Once the schedule is confirmed, the dates will be promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard via Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM), Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB), and/or industry-wide email.
