SAFETY / LOWER MISSISSPPI RIVER / ATON / SEC OV BNM 0073-25 /
THE COTP OHIO VALLEY IS ISSUING A HIGH-WATER SAFETY ADVISORY FOR THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM MM 953.8 TO MM 869. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO TRANSIT THE LMR WITH CAUTION DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH STRONG CURRENTS, SEVERE OUTDRAFTS, MISSING/OFF STATION ATON, AND DIVING BUOYS. THE COTP, WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING LIMITS FOR TOWS TRANSITING THE LMR FROM MM 953.8 TO MM 869 DURING EXTREME HIGH-WATER CONDITIONS. ALL DOWN-BOUND TOWS: TOWING VESSELS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 240 HP PER LOADED BARGE WITH A MAXIMUM TOW SIZE OF 36 BARGES. TOWING VESSELS WITH LESS THAN 6000 HP A MAXIMUM TOW SIZE OF 25 BARGES. TOWING VESSELS WITH 6001 HP TO 7200 HP A MAXIMUM TOW SIZE OF 30 BARGES. TOWING VESSELS WITH 7201 HP TO 8400 HP A MAXIMUM TOW SIZE OF 35 BARGES. TOWING VESSELS WITH GREATER THAN 8401 HP A MAXIMUM TOW SIZE OF 36 BARGES. REFER TO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERWAYS ACTION PLAN FOR FURTHER DETAILS. FLEET OPERATORS SHOULD REGULARLY CHECK THEIR FLEETS AND IMMEDIATELY REPORT BARGE BREAKAWAYS TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT SECTOR OHV ON CH-16 VHF-FM OR VIA TELEPHONE AT 502-779-5422 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO REPORT AREAS OF CONCERN.
