NAVNOTICE# 1141 - updated WAP

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 5/27/08
Subject: updated WAP
NAVNOTICE # 1141

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0191-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0187-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0191-08 UM SECTOR UPPER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A. ZONE 28 (MILES 109.9 - 185.4 UMR) IS IN THE HIGH WATER ACTION
PHASE OF THE UMR WAP ANNEX. THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT HAS ESTABLISHED
A SAFETY ZONE IN ST. LOUIS HARBOR (MILES 179.0 -184.0). SOUTHBOUND
TOWS GREATER THAN 600 FEET IN LENGTH, EXCLUDING THE TOWING VESSEL
SHOULD LIMIT TRANSIT TO DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY. ALL TOWING VESSELS
SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 250 HORSEPOWER FOR EACH LOADED BARGE AND
SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING SPEED BASED UPON
PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY. ALL TOWBOATS ARE PROHIBITED FROM LAYING UP ON LEVEES.
OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION IN PASSING/MEETING SITUATIONS,
TO OPERATE AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING SPEED, AND TO FAVOR THE
CENTER OF THE CHANNEL TO AVOID WAKE DAMAGE.
B. THE FOLLOWING ZONES ARE IN THE HIGH WATER RECOVERY PHASE OF THE
UMR WAP ANNEX: ZONES 25 - 24 (MILES 241.4 – 343.1 UMR).
C. THE FOLLOWING ZONES ARE IN THE HIGH WATER RECOVERY PHASE OF THE
ILR WAP ANNEX: ZONES 1 - 2 (MILES 0.0 - 49.9 ILR).
D. DOWN STREAMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR VESSELS
OPERATING IN THESE ZONES 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 IS AN ISSUE
WITH NAVIGATION AND IT MAY DRAG BUOYS OFF STATION AND SEVER BUOYS
FROM THEIR MOORINGS.
E. ALL TOWING VESSELS SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING
SPEED BASED UPON PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE
DAMAGE. ALL MARINERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE THAT MOORED VESSELS
AND BARGES ARE ADEQUATELY SECURED. 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.