ITCS Memo# 2222 - Change of River Miles of Safety Zone ILL River Mile 136.0 thru 138.0

To: RIAC
From: IRCA Chairman
Date: 1/26/05
Subject: Change of River Miles of Safety Zone ILL River Mile 136.0 thru 138.0
ITCS Memo # 2222

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO St. Louis
Date: 1/26/05
Subject: Update to Memo #529: CHANGE TO RIVER MILES FOR SAFETY ZONE ON ILR FROM MILE 136.0 TO MILE 138.0
NAVNOTICE # 532

Subject: Update to Memo #529: CHANGE TO RIVER MILES FOR SAFETY ZONE ON ILR FROM MILE 136.0 TO MILE 138.0

THE SAFETY ZONE BNM ON THE ILR FROM MILE 102.0 TO MILE 138.0 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO ILR MILE 136.0 TO 138.0. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ZONE BROADCAST IS NOW IN EFFECT WITH THE CHANGED RIVER MILES.

SAFETY ZONE IN EFFECT FOR ILR MILE 136.0 TO 138.0 AND ADDITIONAL ADVISORY FOR BETWEEN ILR MILE 0.0 AND 187.0.

DUE TO CURRENT RIVER HEIGHTS AND FLOOD CONDITIONS, THE COAST
GUARD IS ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY SAFETY ZONE FOR ALL WATERS OF THE
ILR BETWEEN MILE 136.0 AND 138.0. ALL VESSELS ENTERING THE SAFETY
ZONE SHALL FOLLOW THE PRESCRIBED RESTRICTIONS AND SHALL NOT DEVIATE
FROM THEM UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT
ST. LOUIS. THE FOLLOWING EFFECTIVE RESTRICTIONS WERE DEVELOPED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH RIAC, IRCA, AND THE ACOE:
A. ALL RECREATIONAL VESSELS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM TRANSITING THE
AREA.
B. ALL VESSELS SHALL ASSESS ADEQUATE BRIDGE CLEARANCE AND
APPROACHES WELL IN ADVANCE TO APPROACHING ALL BRIDGES.
C. ALL VESSELS SHALL NAVIGATE AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING SPEED
BASED ON PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE TO
THE LEVEES, FLEETING AREAS, AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.
D. ALL COMMERCIAL VESSELS SHALL FAVOR THE CENTER OF THE NAVIGATION
CHANNEL.
E. ALL VESSELS ARE PROHIBITED FROM LAYING UP ON LEVEES.
F. ALL VESSELS SHALL EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION IN PASSING AND
MEETING SITUATIONS.
G. ALL FLEET OPERATORS SHALL MONITOR FLEETING AREAS MORE FREQUENTLY
AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO MOORING LINES, MOORING ARRANGEMENTS, AND
DOUBLE UP LINES AS APPROPRIATE. ANCHORING REQUIREMENTS SHALL ALSO
BE REVIEWED TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF BARGES/TONNAGE TO CORRESPOND
WITH ANCHOR HOLDING CAPABILITY AS WATER LEVELS RISE.
H. ALL FLEET OPERATORS AND FACILITIES SHALL COORDINATE WITH
ADJACENT FACILITIES TO ARRANGE ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF A
BREAKAWAY.
I. ALL FLEET OPERATORS SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE TOWBOAT ATTENDING
THE FLEET AT ALL TIMES.
J. ALL VESSELS SHALL PRE-IDENTIFY AREAS FOR LAYING UP IN THE EVENT
OF A RIVER CLOSURE.
K. VESSEL OR FLEET OPERATORS REQUESTING DEVIATION FROM THESE
RESTRICTIONS MUST CONTACT COAST GUARD MARINE SAFETY OFFICE ST.
LOUIS THROUGH GROUP UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON VHF CHANNEL 16 OR BY
CALLING 319-524-7511 EXT. 5.
3. IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT SAFETY ZONE BETWEEN ILR MILE 136 AND
138, THE COTP ST. LOUIS ADVISES ALL VESSELS BETWEEN ILR MILE 0.0
AND 187.0 TO BE AWARE OF SWIFT CURRENT AND THE AFFECT IT MAY HAVE
WHILE APPROACHING BRIDGES, LOCKS AND DAMS, AND WHEN OPERATING NEAR
FLEETING AREAS.
4. THIS SAFETY ZONE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.