Southwest Pass Area

Capt. Mike Lorino, PresidentCapt. Michael Miller, Vice President

Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of

New Orleans


New Orleans

Southwest Pass Area

Examples of the Known Effects to Examples of the Known Effects to Navigation Due to Channel NarrowingNavigation Due to Channel Narrowing

A Pilots Perspective: Truth and Consequences

Truth: Mississippi River channel Truth: Mississippi River channel maintenance dredging is reducedmaintenance dredging is reduced

Consequences: Consequences:

1.1. Reduced safe passing distances for Reduced safe passing distances for shipsships

2.2. Reduced channel creates navigation Reduced channel creates navigation hazardshazards

3.3. A reduced channel equals cargo lossesA reduced channel equals cargo losses

04/20/2304/20/23 Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New OrleansNew Orleans

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Existing Channel WidthsEntrance to the Mississippi RiverSouthwest Pass Area


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750’

650’

600’

Gulf

SWP Light

SWP Pilot StationJetties

Safe Passing Distance in Existing 650’ Channel


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Photo: Mississippi River Trade and Transport Council

Existing Safe Passing Separation Approximately 300’

300’


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Passing clearanc

e reduced

from 300’ to 195’

Effect of Narrowing From 750’ to a 650’ Channel

600’ Channel Narrowed to 500’


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500’ Channel

Narrowing

100’ Clearance Remaining

Narrowing to 400’ Channel


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400’ Channel

400’ channel

No safe passing distance

remaining


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50’ remaining passing distance

Wind: East @ 15kn

10 Degrees of Vessel Leeway in a Narrowed 500’ Channel

10 Degrees of Leeway in a 400’ Channel


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400’ Channel

Potential Collision

Wind: East @ 15kn

Crash Stop

In high current conditions, it often In high current conditions, it often takes nearly 4 miles to stop a takes nearly 4 miles to stop a loaded down-bound ship in the loaded down-bound ship in the Mississippi River entrance passes.Mississippi River entrance passes.

Many ships will end up stranded Many ships will end up stranded aground after this maneuver.aground after this maneuver.


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Crash Stop


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Loaded Tanker~ 4 Miles to Stop in High River

Crash Stop Starts Here

4 miles to sea

Mississippi RiverSouthwest Pass Exit Channel

Crash Stop Ends Here

Lost Channel Depth Equals Lost Drafts and Lost Cargo for the Mississippi River

Panamax bulk carriers lose on average 179 Panamax bulk carriers lose on average 179 tons of cargo per inch of lost draft.tons of cargo per inch of lost draft.

Thus a foot of lost channel depth is equal to a Thus a foot of lost channel depth is equal to a loss of 2,148 tons of cargo.loss of 2,148 tons of cargo.

Considering the recent 5 foot draft reduction Considering the recent 5 foot draft reduction due to shoaling, a typical Panamax bulk due to shoaling, a typical Panamax bulk carrier would lose 10,740 tons of cargo per carrier would lose 10,740 tons of cargo per trip.trip.


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Capt. Mike Lorino, PresidentCapt. Michael Miller, Vice President


New Orleans


New Orleans

Thank You

Pilots Consequences Lack of Channel Pilots Consequences Lack of Channel Maintenance Dredging on the Maintenance Dredging on the

Mississippi RiverMississippi River04/20/2304/20/23 Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of

New OrleansNew Orleans1515

Southwest Pass Area

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