ITCS Memo# 2594 - Safety advisory for high water on the UMR

To: RIAC
From: RIAC Chairman
Date: 8/29/07
Subject: Safety advisory for high water on the UMR
ITCS Memo # 2594

THE FOLLOWING ZONES ARE IN THE HIGH WATER WATCH PHASE OF THE UMR WAP ANNEX.

ZONES 17 AND 18 (MILES 410.5 - 457.1)
ZONES 20, 21, AND 22 (MILES 301.2 - 364.1)
ZONES 24 AND 25 (MILES 241.4 - 301.1)
ZONE 28 (MILES 109.9 - 185.4)

ALL VESSELS SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED BASED UPON PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE.

DOWNSTREAMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR VESSELS
OPERATING IN THE ZONES IN THE ACTION AND WATCH PHASES UNLESS THE VESSEL IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 75 FEET IN LENGTH AND THE VESSEL HAS A MINIMUM OF 1800 HORSEPOWER.

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. ALL MARINERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE THAT ALL MOORED VESSELS AND BARGES ARE ADEQUATELY SECURED WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED VELOCITY AND HIGH WATER.

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.

REH