ITCS Memo# 1760 - Safety advisory mile 55.3 to mile 201 UMR

To: RIAC
From: Raymond Hopkins
Date: 6/6/01
Subject: Safety advisory mile 55.3 to mile 201 UMR
ITCS Memo # 1760

DUE TO HIGH WATER CONDITIONS THE COTP ST. LOUIS, IN CONJUCTION WITH THE TOWING INDUSTRY, HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ADVISORY FOR THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM MILE 55.3 TO MILE 201.

FROM MILE 184 TO MILE 179 ALL TOWS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 250 H.P. PER 1500 TONS OF CARGO AND SHOULD OPERATE AT SLOWEST SAFE NAVIGABLE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKES. ALL TOW TRAFFIC IS LIMITED TO DAYLIGHT TRANSIT ONLY.

FROM MILE 55.3 TO MILE 201 THE COTP ST. LOUIS ADVISES AGAINST DOWNSTREAMING OPERATIONS. THE COTP ST. LOUIS RECOMMENDS ALL TOWS EMPLOY OPERATORS EXPERIENCED IN HIGH WATER OPERATIONS. FLEET OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OPERATING IN THE FLEETING AREAS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FLEET OPERATORS REVIEW CURRENT MOORING ARRANGEMENTS AND INCREASE SECURITY PATROLS AT REGULAR INTERVALS TO PREVENT BARGE BREAKAWAYS. THIS SAFETY ZONE WILL BE RE-EVALUATED WHEN THE ST. LOUIS GAGE INDICATES LESS THAN 30 FEET AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FALLING.