VTS Lower Mississippi River: 5 Day Outlook

19 September 2023

Currently No Draft Restrictions at MM 10-12, AHP (listed in MSIB Vol XXIII Issue 052) at this time. River Closure dates in MSIB 054 have been finalized. See below for the most up to date information.

       
Location Date Time Closure or Restriction
LMR Mile 10-12, AHP September 20 -TBD N/A One-way traffic; Ships shall check in with contact pilots at outlined below.
LMR Mile 0-2, AHP September 24-25

September 26

September 28

 0600-1800

0600-1800

0600-1800

 One-way traffic

Full river closure

Full river closure

 

  • 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.

Advance Notice:

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.