NAVNOTICE# 1695 - Updated - WAP - RECREATIONAL VESSEL CLOSURE

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 5/22/09
Subject: Updated - WAP - RECREATIONAL VESSEL CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1695

USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A. ZONES 3-6 (MM 50.0-145.5 ILR) ARE IN THE ACTION PHASE FOR
EXTREME HIGH WATER CONDITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ILR WAP ANNEX.
ALL TOWING VESSELS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PUSHING INTO OR LAYING UP ON
LEVEES BETWEEN MM 134 - 134.5 ILR AND ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT
THESE ZONES WITH CAUTION AND AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE
WAKE DAMAGE ESPECIALLY AT COPPERAS CREEK (MM 79.0 - 138.0 ILR). ALL
RECREATIONAL VESSEL TRAFFIC IS PROHIBITED FROM TRANSITING IN THESE
ZONES.
B. ZONE 1 (MM 1.0 - 9.9 ILR) AND ZONE 7 (MM 145.6-180.9 ILR) ARE IN
THE RECOVERY PHASE FOR HIGH WATER CONDITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
ILR WAP ANNEX. ALL TOWING VESSELS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PUSHING INTO
OR LAYING UP ON LEVEES AND ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS ZONE WITH
CAUTION AND AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE
ESPECIALLY PEORIA (MM 165.5 - 178.0 ILR). ALL RECREATIONAL VESSEL
TRAFFIC IS PROHIBITED FROM TRANSITING IN THIS ZONE.
C. ZONE 2 (MM 10.0 - MM 49.9 ILR) IS IN THE WATCH PHASE FOR HIGH
WATER CONDITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ILR WAP ANNEX. ALL TOWING
VESSELS ARE PROHIBITED FROM LAYING UP ON LEVEES. ALL VESSELS ARE TO
TRANSIT THESE ZONES WITH CAUTION AND AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO
MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE.
D. ZONE 28 (MM 109.9-185.4 UMR) IS IN THE RECOVERY PHASE FOR
EXTREME HIGH WATER CONDITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UMR WAP. COTP
SEC UMR HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ZONE IN ST. LOUIS HARBOR FROM MM
179-184 UMR. SOUTHBOUND TOWS GREATER THAN 600 FEET IN LENGTH,
EXCLUDING THE TOWBOAT, SHOULD LIMIT TRANSIT WITHIN THE SAFETY ZONE
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 TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. NORTHBOUND TOWS
MUST HAVE ENOUGH HORSE POWER TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM SPEED OF 3 MPH
ON APPROACH TO THE ST. LOUIS HARBOR BRIDGES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT
ALL TOWING VESSELS HAVE A PILOT ONBOARD WITH RECENT HIGH WATER
EXPERIENCE ON SIMILAR SIZED TOWS WHILE TRANSITING THE ST. LOUIS
HARBOR BRIDGES. ALL TOWBOATS ARE RESTRICTED FROM CARRYING BARGES ON
THE "HIP". MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO FAVOR THE CENTER OF THE
CHANNEL, AND USE CAUTION IN MEETING OR PASSING SITUATIONS. ALL TOW
BOAT OPERATORS ARE REQUESTED TO REVIEW ANCHOR REQUIREMENTS AND PRE-
IDENTIFY LAY-UP AREAS IN THE EVENT OF A RIVER CLOSURE. MARINERS ARE
REQUESTED TO ENSURE THAT FLEETS ARE CLOSELY MONITORED AND MOORING
LINES ARE ADEQUATELY SECURED DUE TO HIGH RIVER LEVELS AND DRIFT
POTENTIAL. FLEETING AREAS ARE TO COORDINATE WITH ADJACENT
FACILITIES FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF A BREAK-AWAY. ALL
RECREATIONAL VESSEL TRAFFIC IS PROHIBITED FROM TRANSITING WITHIN
THIS ZONE.
E. ZONE 27 (MM 185.5-200.4 UMR) IS IN THE RECOVERY PHASE FOR HIGH
WATER CONDITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UMR WAP. ALL TOWING VESSELS
ARE PROHIBITED FROM LAYING UP ON LEVEES. ALL VESSELS ARE TO TRANSIT
THESE ZONES WITH CAUTION AND AT THE SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE
WAKE DAMAGE.