ITCS Memo# 2518 - Updated Illinois River Broadcast

To: RIAC
From: IRCA Chairman
Date: 3/26/07
Subject: Updated Illinois River Broadcast
ITCS Memo # 2518

SAFETY AND SCHEDULED BROADCAST UNTIL CANCELLED CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0074-07 UM USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0076-07 UM SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A. ZONES 3-7 (MILES 50.0 - 180.9)ZONE 9 (MILES 200 - 230.9) AND ZONE 8 (MILES 181 - 199.9) ON THE ILR ARE IN THE HIGH WATER WATCH PHASE OF THE ILR WAP ANNEX.
B. ZONES 22-25 (MILES 241.4-324.8) ON THE UMR ARE APPROACHING THE HIGH WATER WATCH PHASE OF THE UMR WAP ANNEX.
C. THE ST. LOUIS GAUGE IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH THE HIGH WATER PHASE BY WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH.
D. ALL TOWING VESSELS SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING SPEED BASED UPON PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE.
E. DUE TO HIGH RIVER LEVELS, DRIFT OF DEBRIS MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH NAVIGATION, AND IT MAY DRAG BUOYS OFF STATION AND SEVER BUOYS FROM THEIR MOORINGS.
F. DOWN STREAMING OPERATIONS IS NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS THE VESSEL IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 75 FT IN LENGTH AND THE VESSEL HAS A MINIMUM OF 1800 HORSEPOWER.
G. COTP UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER REMINDS ALL MARINERS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION AND TO BE ESPECIALLY VIGILANT DURING ALL BRIDGE AND LOCK APPROACHES IN THESE ZONES DUE TO SWIFT CURRENTS.
H. HIGH WATER CONDITIONS EXIST AT DRESDEN ISLAND LOCK. MARINERS NEED TO PLACE LOADED BARGES ON THE LOCK-SIDE OF THEIR TOWS TO KEEP EMPTY BARGES FROM RIDING UP ONTO THE LOWER GUIDE WALL.