ITCS Memo# 2357 - UMR Low Water Advisory 2/19/06

To: RIAC
From: RIAC Chairman
Date: 2/19/06
Subject: UMR Low Water Advisory 2/19/06
ITCS Memo # 2357

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO St. Louis
Date: 2/19/06
Subject: UMR LOW WATER ADVISORY
NAVNOTICE # 652

DUE TO ANTICIPATED 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:

A. ST. LOUIS GAUGE READINGS ON THE UMR ARE EXPECTED TO DROP INTO
THE NEGATIVE RANGE.

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 AS SOON AS
PRACTICAL DUE TO EXPECTED LOW WATER CONDITIONS.

D. MARINERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF SHIFTING CHANNELS AS BUOYS ARE
ADJUSTED FOR CHANGING WATER LEVELS AND POTENTIAL SHOALING
CONDITIONS ALONG BUOY LINES.

E. HEAVY BARGES SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOW TOWARDS
THE STERN.

F. MARINERS SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING NEAR
FLEETING AREAS AND TO TRANSIT AT THE SLOWEST SAFE NAVIGABLE SPEED
TO MINIMIZE IMPACT.

THIS SAFETY ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.