ITCS Memo# 2242 - SAFETY ZONE REVISION: ILR MM 87.0 -89.5

To: RIAC
From: IRCA Chairman
Date: 4/9/05
Subject: SAFETY ZONE REVISION: ILR MM 87.0 -89.5
ITCS Memo # 2242

SAFETY ZONE REVISION: ILR MM 87.0 -89.5
NAVNOTICE # 555

FROM ILLINOIS RIVER MILE 87.0 TO MILE 89.5, THE COTP ST. LOUIS, IN CONSULTATION WITH IRCA, RIAC AND THE ACOE, HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ZONE WITH THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS:

A. THE ILR WILL BE CLOSED TO NAVIGATION BETWEEN 0800 AND 1800 DUE TO DREDGING OPERATIONS.

B. DURING THE RIVER CLOSURE RECREATIONAL VESSELS MAY TRANSIT THE AREA. LOCAL FLEETING ACTIVITIES MAY CONTINUE BUT SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE DREDGE IF TRANSITING THE AREA.

C. ALL MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING THE AREA. A RED BUOY MARKS SHOALING REPORTED APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET BELOW THE LEFT DESCENDING PIER OF THE HIGHWAY BRIDGE AND APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET CHANNELWARD.

D. THE PILOT CHANNEL HAS BEEN DREDGED TO A MINIMUM OF A NINE FOOT CHANNEL DEPTH AND HAS BEEN MARKED FOR NAVIGATION.

E. TOWS SHALL NOT MEET OR PASS WITHIN THE SAFETY ZONE.

F. TO CLEAR THE QUE, AFTER 1800, SOUTHBOUND TOWS SHALL BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED BEFORE NORTHBOUND TOWS.

G. AFTER THE QUE HAS CLEARED, NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC SHALL COORDINATE ONE WAY PASSAGE THROUGH THE SAFETY ZONE.

H. ALL SOUTHBOUND AND NORTHBOUND TOWS SHALL NOT EXCEED 15 BARGES AND USE EXTREME CAUTION.

I. ALL VESSELS SHOULD PRE-IDENTIFY AREAS FOR LAYING UP WHEN APPROACHING RIVER CLOSURE.

THIS SAFETY ZONE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.