NAVNOTICE# 2053 - Grounding Safety Advisory from MM 180-182 ILR

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 2/13/10
Subject: Grounding Safety Advisory from MM 180-182 ILR
NAVNOTICE # 2053

USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
BETWEEN 08FEB10 - 10FEB10 THE COAST GUARD HAS RECEIVED REPORTS OF TWO VESSEL
GROUNDINGS OCCURRING WITHIN 2 MILES OF EACH OTHER IVO MM 180-182 ILR.
BOTH VESSELS HAD A DRAFT OF OVER 9 FEET AND REPORTED THAT BUOYS IN THAT
AREA ARE UNRELIABLE DUE TO ICE CONDITIONS. THE COAST GUARD ADVISES
MARINERS TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THROUGH THIS AREA.
BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY ICE FLOWS THIS SEASON, THE COAST GUARD ADVISES
MARINERS TO USE THEIR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND BEST JUDGMENT WHILE
NAVIGATING THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI AND ILLINOIS RIVER DUE TO
BUOYS BEING SEVERED FROM THEIR MOORINGS BY HEAVY ICE FLOWS CAUSING BUOYS
TO BECOME UNRELIABLE. THE COAST GUARD URGES MARINERS TO REPORT ALL
UNRELIABLE BUOYS TO SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON VHF-FM CH 16 OR
BY TELEPHONE NR 314-269-2332. THE COAST GUARD IS AWARE OF THE
PROBLEMS THAT VESSELS WILL ENCOUNTER DUE TO BUOY UNRELIABILITY AND IS
WORKING ON RESTORING RELIABILITY TO THESE BUOYS WHEN WEATHER AND
OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS PERMIT.