ITCS Memo# 2326 - Safety Advisory UMR Mile 185.0 to 0.0

To: RIAC
From: RIAC Chairman
Date: 12/8/05
Subject: Safety Advisory UMR Mile 185.0 to 0.0
ITCS Memo # 2326

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO St. Louis
Date: 12/7/05
Subject: UPDATED BNM LOW WATER ADVISORY FOR UMR MM 185.0 - 0.0
NAVNOTICE # 642

DUE TO LOW WATER CONDITIONS ON THE UMR, THE U.S. COAST GUARD IN
CONJUNCTION WITH RIAC AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS ISSUED
THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY BETWEEN UMR MILE 0.0 AND 185.0:

A. ST. LOUIS GAUGE READINGS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE NEGATIVE
RANGE ON THE UMR.
B. ALL MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTRA CAUTION FOR PREVAILING
CONDITIONS AND REMAIN COGNIZANT OF TOW DRAFTS AS LOW WATER
CONDITIONS DEVELOP.
C. HEAVY DRAFT VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO MOVE OFF THE UMR IMMEDIATELY
DUE TO EXPECTED LOW WATER CONDITIONS, OPERATORS SHOULD ANTICIPATE
DRAFT RESTRICTIONS OF LESS THAN 9 FEET IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS IF
RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO FALL AND APPROACH THE LOW WATER REFERENCE
PLANE.
D. MARINERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR TOW SIZE TO A MAXIMUM OF 25
SOUTHBOUND BARGES WITH A MAXIMUM OF 5 WIDE AND 30 NORTHBOUND BARGES
WITH A MAXIMUM OF 6 WIDE.
E. MARINERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF SHIFTING CHANNELS AS BUOYS ARE
ADJUSTED FOR CHANGING WATER LEVELS AND POTENTIAL SHOALING
CONDITIONS ALONG BUOY LINES.
F. HEAVY BARGES SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOW TOWARDS
THE STERN BY 1200 LOCAL ON 8 DECEMBER DUE TO DECREASING RIVER
LEVELS.
G. MARINERS SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING NEAR
FLEETING AREAS AND TO TRANSIT AT THE SLOWEST SAFE NAVIGABLE SPEED
TO MINIMIZE IMPACT.
H. ALL VESSELS SHOULD LIMIT DRAFTS TO A MAXIMUM OF 9 FEET.

THIS SAFETY ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.