Fm: Moran Shipping Agencies Nola
To: All Concerned
Good day,
Please find
below Mississippi River daily report for October 3, 2023.
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A Daily Publication of the New Orleans Board of Trade
06:30 hrs. - 10/3/2023<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:green">New information
(Except for the Air Draft, River Stages, and Vessel Information)<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020">
is highlighted in Green<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
The Controlling Draft for Deep Draft Vessels is 50 Feet<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Pilot Recommendations:
Bar Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet.<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Crescent Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft: 50 Feet.
NOBRA Pilots: Recommended loading draft is as follows: 50 feet from New Orleans to Mile 175 ; 47 Feet from Mile 175 - Mile 180; 45 feet from Mile 180 to Mile 234. Vessels with a draft of 41 feet or greater are required to transit the Baton Rouge Harbor
(Mile 180 - Mile 234) during daylight hours only.
NOBRA Pilots - High Interest Vessels
Vessels classified as HIGH Interest by the Coast Guard, A Federal Authority, Any State Authority, or the NOBRA Board of Directors, may require 2 pilots and be limited to daylight transit only along the
NOBRA Route. Any customer of the NOBRA Pilots, docks, berths, moorings, agents, owner, or owner representative may petition the NOBRA Board of Directors to establish or remove the HIV classification. PER THE NOBRA PILOTS, A VESSEL ONLY REQUIRING A CREW CONTROL
SECURITY PLAN (CCSP) BY THE COAST GUARD WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE 2 PILOT RULE. <span-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">
Federal Pilots: Recommended maximum loading draft:50 feet from the Sea Buoy to Mile 175; 45 feet from Mile 175 – Mile 232.4; and 40 feet from Mile 232.4 – Mile 233.8.
Saltwater Barrier – Mile 63.8<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#202020">
The contractor for the Corps of Engineers began raising the height of the saltwater barrier at Mile 63.8. Construction should last 2-3 weeks depending on production rates.
The barrier will be raised to a height of 30 feet below the waterline with a 620 foot wide by 55 foot deep gap through the barrier for navigation. Navigational buoys have been placed to assist the pilots in transiting the “gap”. At this time, the
only anticipated navigational restriction is one-way traffic through the area. The one-way traffic restriction will remain in place until the river rises and scours the barrier back to normal river depths. <span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Coast Guard Notices:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
In conjunction with the installation of a submerged discharge line between Mile 0 – Mile 2 AHP, vessels intending to arrive or depart the Mississippi River on the day of a closures
(September 26th and September 28th) must arrive at Pilottown (outbound) no later than 5:30 a.m. or Southwest Pass Entrance Light (inbound) no later than 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the closures.<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
LOW WATER SAFETY ADVISORY: MM 00 TO MM 303 AHP LMR<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">
This MSIB covers BOTH Sector New Orleans and MSU Baton Rouge AORs.<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
The National Weather Service forecasts river stages will continue to fall during the next 28 days. Lower Mississippi River (LMR) users should plan for extreme low water conditions.
The safety precautions outlined below are in effect for all waters of the LMR from Mile Marker 0.0 to Mile Marker 303 Ahead of Passes (AHP).<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#202020">
Mariners are reminded the sailing line – between Mile Markers 0 - 232 – follows a path through naturally deep water connected by twelve marked channels known as “crossings”. Low water conditions have significantly reduced water depths in areas of the
river outside the sailing line where mariners in the past had sufficient water depth to navigate. In accordance with 33 CFR 164, mariners are required to conduct proper navigation assessments. Mariners are urged to conduct proper route assessment and pay particular
attention to water levels, including closely reviewing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Condition Surveys prior to their transit.
1. Industry representatives should coordinate closely and with due consideration for extreme low water with River Pilot organizations to ensure the safe and efficient movement of vessels.
2. Pilots should maintain safe speeds when transiting in the vicinity of docks, fleeting areas, and other transiting vessels to minimize adverse impacts from the ship’s wake.
3. Ports and facilities are strongly encouraged to monitor water depths, to both their docks and approaches. Adjustments to docking procedures or loading and transit parameters should be closely coordinated with and communicated to vessel operators.
4. All towing vessels in vicinity of College Town Light (MM 225 to MM 228.3) are advised to keep flat on the bank and provide a wide berth to deep-draft vessel traffic.
5. When navigating the Upper Baton Rouge (190) bridge, mariners should refer to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lower Mississippi River Chart No. 73 which states, the Port Allen span is navigable when the Baton Rouge River gauge is above 15’. Current
river levels do not support using this span.
6. Aids to Navigation discrepancies should be reported to the Sector New Orleans Command Center.
7. Mariners should pay close attention to Broadcast Notice Mariners for information or specific hazards along their planned route.<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Lower Mississippi River Bridges Air-Draft Calculations: <span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
The above clearances were calculated this morning using gauge readings provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. As a guide the pilots require at least an additional 3 feet of clearance
for the Vessel's Air Draft. The individual pilot assigned to the vessel will make the final determination of the vessel's allowable clearance. Actual clearance should be verified when ordering pilot services. <span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
NOAA PORTS INFORMATION:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#202020">
To Access the NOAA Ports System for the Lower Mississippi River, go to the following link:
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/index.shtml?port=lm<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
U.S. Corps of Engineers:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
VELOCITY READING (NEW ORLEANS) - 1.5 Knots<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Mississippi River - Projection- Based off 48 Hours of Forecast Rainfall
<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Mississippi River - NOLA Projection- Based off 16 Days of Forecast Rainfall (Experimental)-<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center Guidance:<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#202020">
The Mississippi and Ohio Valleys continue to have very little rainfall and low water levels are starting to approach last year's levels.<span-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:green">
Locations on the lower Mississippi River will be near 2022 levels over the next several weeks.
The 7 day rainfall forecast shows some rain over parts of the Ohio Valley but the forecast models are not showing appreciable runoff that would help low water conditions on the lower Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers.
The 16 day future rainfall model continues to show low water levels. Cairo, IL will fluctuate near the 5.0ft level through the third week of October.<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Weather Information:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:red">
Tropical Weather Forecast:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Wed Sep 27 2023
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
Active Systems:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical
Storm Philippe, located about 650 miles east of the northern
Leeward Islands.
1. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL91):
Showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization
in association with an area of low pressure located roughly halfway
between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for
development, and a tropical depression or storm is expected to form
in the next day or so while the system moves west-northwestward
across the central tropical Atlantic. Additional information on this
system, including gale warnings, can be found in High Seas Forecasts
issued by the National Weather Service.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...90 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.
Tropical Storm Philippe:
15-Day Weather Forecast:
New Orleans area 15-Day Forecast:
http://www.accuweather.com/us/la/new-orleans/70112/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipchg=1&metric=0
Baton Rouge area 15-Day Forecast:
http://www.accuweather.com/us/la/baton-rouge/70801/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipchg=1&metric=0<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
NOAA Fog Forecast:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
National Information:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">
<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">Marsec Level – 1
VESSELS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS:<span-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#202020">