NAVNOTICE# 2212 - Updated Waterway Action Plan for UMR, ILR, and MOR

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/17/10
Subject: Updated Waterway Action Plan for UMR, ILR, and MOR
NAVNOTICE # 2212

USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY:
A. THE FOLLOWING ZONES ARE IN THE EXTREME HIGH WATER RECOVERY PHASE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WESTERN RIVERS WAP ANNEXES:
1. UMR: ZONE 28 (MM 109.9 - 185.4).
2. ILR: NONE.
3. MOR: NONE.
4. FOR UMR ZONE 28, A SAFETY ZONE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN ST. LOUIS HARBOR (MM 179-184 UMR). SOUTHBOUND TOWS GREATER THAN 600 FEET IN LENGTH, EXCLUDING THE TOWBOAT, SHOULD LIMIT TRANSIT TO DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY, AND SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 250 HORSEPOWER FOR EACH LOADED BARGE. NORTHBOUND TOWS MUST HAVE ENOUGH HORSEPOWER TO MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 3 MPH WHILE TRANSITING THROUGH ALL ST LOUIS HARBOR BRIDGES. ASSESS BRIDGE CLEARENCE WELL IN ADVANCE, PRE-IDENTIFY LAY-UP AREAS IN EVENT OF RIVER CLOSURE. THE COTP RECOMMENDS THAT TOWING VESSELS HAVE A PILOT ON BOARD WITH EXPERIENCE IN HIGH WATER, SIMILAR SIZED TOWS, AND ALL ST. LOUIS HARBOR BRIDGES.
B. THE FOLLOWING ZONES ARE IN THE HIGH WATER RECOVERY PHASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WESTERN RIVERS WAP ANNEX:
1. UMR: ZONES 17 - 27 (MM 185.5 - 457.1).
2. ILR: ZONES 1 - 7 (MM 0.0 - 180.9).
3. MOR: THE HERMANN REACH (MM 0-100), BRUNSWICK REACH (MM 200 - 300), KANSAS CITY REACH (MM 300 - 400), ST. JOSEPH REACH (MM 400- 500), OMAHA REACH (MM 300-630), AND SIOUX CITY REACH (MM 630 - 734.8).
C. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO ALL ZONES CONTAINED WITHIN THIS SAFETY ADVISORY. ALL TOWBOAT OPERATORS SHOULD BE EXPERIENCED IN HIGH WATER OPERATIONS AND SHOULD PROCEED AT THE SLOWEST SAFE OPERATING SPEED BASED UPON PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE WAKE DAMAGE. ALL TOWBOATS ARE PROHIBITED FROM LAYING UP ON LEVEES. MARINERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTACT FLEETERS AT THEIR FINAL DESTINATION TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT FLEETS ARE ATTENDED BY TOWBOATS AT ALL TIMES, USE CAUTION IN PASSING AND MEETING SITUATIONS, AND FAVOR THE CENTER OF THE CHANNEL. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO REVIEW ANCHORING REQUIREMENTS AND PRE-IDENTIFY LAY UP AREAS IN THE EVENT OF A RIVER CLOSURE OR BARGE BREAK AWAY. MARINERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE THAT MOORED VESSELS AND BARGES ARE ADEQUATELY SECURED WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED VELOCITY AND HIGH WATER. DRIFT OF DEBRIS MAY BE A HAZARD TO NAVIGATION AND MAY DRAG BUOYS OFF STATION. DOWN STREAMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS A VESSEL IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 75 FEET IN LENGTH AND HAS A MINIMUM OF 1800 HORSEPOWER. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO STAY AWARE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RAILWAYS WHEN CHOOSING A LOCATION TO PUSH INTO THE BANK. WITH CURRENT RIVER STAGES, RAILWAY SYSTEMS CLOSE TO THE RIVERS EDGE MAY BECOME THREATENED BY THE HEAD OF A TOW WHEN PUSHED INTO THE BANK.