07-Sep-2018
PORT STATUS NORMAL FOR PORT MOBILE AREA OPERATIONS POST TROPICAL STORM GORDON
Mobile, USA
GATUN LOCKS OUTAGE
Panama Canal, Panama
POST-STORM PORT RECOVERY UPDATES
Mobile, United States
SABINE PASS CHANNEL DRAFT RESTRICTION UPDATE
Port Arthur, United States
ONE WAY TRAFFIC
Lower Mississippi River, United States
Port status Normal for Port Mobile area operations post Tropical Storm Gordon
Thursday, September 6, 2018, Mobile, USA
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has returned the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICWW) to Port Status NORMAL. The GICWW is now “Open” to all marine traffic.
The COTP Mobile has updated the status of the following:
Port of Gulfport to “Open” to a depth of 30 feet
Port of Mobile to “Open” to a depth of 38 feet
Port of Pascagoula to “Open” to a depth of 38 feet
Current port and waterway status:
a. GICWW East of HWY 292 Bridge: NORMAL
b. GICWW West of HWY 292 Bridge: NORMAL
c. Port of Panama City: NORMAL
d. Port of Pensacola: NORMAL
e. Port of Mobile: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
f. Port of Pascagoula: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
g. Port of Gulfport: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
There will be no further conference calls, only MSIB updates.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Sector Mobile Marine Safety Information Bulletin 18-18 dated 6 September 2018.
Gatun Locks outage
Friday, September 7, 2018, Panama Canal, Panama
The Panama Canal has confirmed the Gatun locks East lane outage for 2.5 days during the period 9 to 11 September for scheduled maintenance work.
During this period, the transit reservation system will be downgraded to Condition 2 which reduces booking slots for Panamax ships to 10 slots and Regulars to 6 slots and limit of booked ships per direction to 6 Panamax and 4 Regulars.
For information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panam@gac.com
Post-storm port recovery updates
Friday, September 7, 2018, Mobile, United States
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has returned the GICWW to Port Status NORMAL. The GICWW is now Open to all marine traffic.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has updated the status of the Port of Gulfport to Open to a depth of 30 feet.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has updated the status of the Port of Mobile to Open to a depth of 38 feet.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has updated the status of the Port of Pascagoula to Open to a depth of 38 feet.
Current port and waterway status: Effective 1:30 P.M., September 6, 2018:
GICWW East of HWY 292 Bridge: NORMAL
GICWW West of HWY 292 Bridge: NORMAL
Port of Panama City: NORMAL
Port of Pensacola: NORMAL
Port of Mobile: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
Port of Pascagoula: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
Port of Gulfport: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
Current information may be obtained from the COTP Mobile Voice Mail Announcement system at (251)-441-5080.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U. S. Coast Guard, Sector Mobile, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.18-18 dated 6 September 2018
Sabine Pass Channel draft restriction update
Friday, September 7, 2018, Port Arthur, United States
Portions of the missing dredge pipeline described in MSIB 08-18 remain missing. Surveys of Port Arthur Canal and Sabine Pass Channel are not yet complete. Initial indications are that two segments of pipeline are lying on the bottom, outside the channel (green side) near the Dredge LINDA LAQUAY. No other significant pipe segments have been identified. The centerline to east side of Sabine Pass Channel from Sabine Pass LNG south to the end of the jetties will be surveyed on September 7, 2018.
It is believed that remaining pipe is lying on bottom. Based on initial survey reports, the configuration and dimensions of the dredge pipe as well as known channel depths in the affected area, the draft restriction is eased to 37-feet effective 10:15 p.m., September 6, 2018.
Mariners are requested to keep a sharp lookout while transiting Sabine Pass and Sabine Bank Channels and inform VTS Port Arthur of any dredge pipeline sighted.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North Americas at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Port Arthur, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 09-18 dated 6 September 2018
One way traffic
Friday, September 7, 2018, Lower Mississippi River, United States
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 99.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 100.0 AHP. This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the Port of New Orleans dredging operations. This Measure is in effect with the following provisions:
September 6, 2018 through September 20, 2018: All deep draft vessels and large tows are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 99.0 to MM 100.0 Above Head of Passes 24 hours per day.
Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners. For additional information about the dredging operations or for any passing arrangements, vessels may contact the dredge MISSOURI H via VHF-FM Channels 16, 67, and 71 during the operation. Mariners are urged to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution.
For further information, contact:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200 Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280 Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 12, 67
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: United States Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Marine Safety Information Bulletin Volume XVIII Issue:063 issued 1600 hours on 06 September 2018
