ITCS Memo# 1763 - Captain of the Port Safety Zone (UM mile 55.3 to 201.0)

To: RIAC
From: Tim Robinson
Date: 6/8/01
Subject: Captain of the Port Safety Zone (UM mile 55.3 to 201.0)
ITCS Memo # 1763

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO St. Louis
Date: 6/8/01
Subject: CAPTAIN OF THE PORT SAFETY ZONE
NAVNOTICE # 310

DUE TO HIGH WATER CONDITIONS THE COTP ST LOUIS, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY ACT, HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ZONE FOR THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM MILE 55.3 TO MILE 201.

FROM MILE 184 TO MILE 179 ALL TOWS SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM OF 250 H.P.
PER 1500 TONS OF CARGO AND SHALL OPERATE AT SLOWEST SAFE NAVIGABLE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKES. ALL TOWBOATS WITH TOWS ARE LIMITED TO DAYLIGHT TRANSIT ONLY. FLEETERS AND LIGHTBOATS ARE NOT LIMITED TO DAYLIGHT TRANSIT ONLY.

DOWNSTREAMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED FROM MILE 55.3 TO MILE 201. 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 ST. LOUIS GAGE INDICATES LESS THAN 30 FEET AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FALLING.