The Lower Mississippi River (LMR) Dredging Update 22216 is attached for your reference.
CONTINUING Navigation Restrictions in the Area of Southwest Pass (SWP):
The Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of New Orleans (Bar Pilots) continue to recommend a maximum draft of 41 feet for all vessels transiting SWP as first implemented at 1030 hours on Saturday, January 30, 2016. Their previous draft reduction was to 43 feet from 47 feet and went into effect at 1030 hours on January 14, 2016.
The Bar Pilots’ President Captain Mike Lorino offered the following update over the weekend:
"Everyone pilots are still having issues with 41ft ships therefore nothing will happen on raising the draft this week. Please pass on to your members!”
The Associated Federal Pilots and Docking Masters of Louisiana, LCC maximum draft recommendation for SWP also remains 41 feet for all vessels (specifically from the Southwest Pass Sea Buoy to the Old Quarantine Anchorage at Mile 3.5 Above Head of Passes [AHP]). This reduced draft recommendation became effective on February 4, 2016. The Federal Pilots often pilot domestic tankers that require significant under-keel-clearances (UKC) in the range of 3 feet (or more) thus in those cases the reduction is effectively down to 38 feet.
JADWIN: The dustpan dredge JADWIN is expected to begin dredging operations at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 190.5 AHP) tomorrow morning (Tuesday, February 23, 2016). The White Castle Anchorage (Mile 191.1 to Mile 190.4 AHP) will be off limits for vessel usage beginning tomorrow morning (also). While the JADWIN is working at Alhambra Crossing the White Castle Anchorage is off limits to allow the JADWIN to work uninterrupted and to increase navigational safety.
