ITCS Memo# 2637 - High Water Broadcast for Illinoins and Mississippi River

To: RIAC
From: RIAC Chairman
Date: 3/6/08
Subject: High Water Broadcast for Illinoins and Mississippi River
ITCS Memo # 2637

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 00XX-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NM 00XX-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 00XX-08 UM SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A. ZONES 3-7 (MILES 50 - 180.9 ILR) ARE IN THE HIGH WATER WATCH PHASE OF THE ILR WAP ANNEX. INCREASED FLOWS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SIX RECENT ALLISIONS WITH THE PEKIN RAILROAD BRIDGE. ALL MARINERS ARE REMINDED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OPERATING AND TRANSITING IN THIS RESTRICTED MANEUVERING AREA.
B. ZONE 28 (MILES 109.9 - 185.4 UMR) IS IN THE HIGH WATER WATCH PHASE OF THE UMR WAP ANNEX.
C. DOWNSTREAMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR VESSELS OPERATING IN THESE ZONES UNLESS THE VESSEL IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 75 FEET INLENGTH AND THE VESSEL HAS A MINIMUM OF 1800 HORESPOWER.
D. 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.
E. ALL MARINERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE THAT ALL MOORED VESSELS AND BARGES ARE ADEQUATELY SECURED WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED CURRENTS AND HIGH WATER.
F. COTP UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER REMINDS ALL MARINERS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION AND TO BE ESPECIALLY VIGILANT DURING ALL BRIDGE AND LOCK APPROACHES IN THESE HIGH WATER ZONES DUE TO SWIFT CURRENTS.