NAVNOTICE# 1397 - Waterways Action Plan and River Closure Update

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 9/24/08
Subject: Waterways Action Plan and River Closure Update
NAVNOTICE # 1397

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0484-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0482-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0484-08 UM UPPER
MISSISSIPPI - ILLINOIS - MISSOURI RIVERS USCG COAST GUARD SECTOR
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A. ZONE 28 (MM 109.9 - 185.4) IS IN THE HIGH WATER RECOVERY PHASE
OF THE UMR WAP ANNEX.
B. ZONES 3 THROUGH 7 (MM 50.0 - 180.9 ILR) ARE IN THE EXTREME HIGH
WATER ACTION PHASE OF THE ILR WAP ANNEX. ALL RECREATIONAL VESSEL
TRAFFIC IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THESE ZONES. ALL TOWING VESSELS SHOULD
PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATIONS SPEED BASED UPON PREVAILING
CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE. THE COTP UPPER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS ISSUED A RIVER CLOSURE TO ALL TRAFFIC DUE TO
EXTREME HIGH WATER, BETWEEN MILES 136.0 TO 138.0 ILR. VESSELS
MAINTAINING FLEETS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE WITHIN THE CLOSURE
ZONE, PRODUCING NO WAKE. VESSELS OPERATING BETWEEN MM 160.0 TO
181.0 ILR SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED BASED UPON
PREVAILING CONDITIONS, PRODUCING NO WAKE.
C. ZONES 1 AND 2 (MM 0.0 - 49.9 ILR) AND ZONE 8 (MM 181-199.9 ILR)
ARE IN THE RECOVERY PHASE OF THE ILR WAP ANNEX.
D. 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 VESSELS ENGAGED IN DOWN STREAMING OPERATIONS ARE ADVISED TO
USE CAUTION IN HIGH WATER AREAS.
F. 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.
BT
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