Capt. Mike Lorino, President Capt. Michael Miller, Vice President Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans Southwest Pass Area Examples of the Known Effects to Navigation Due to Channel Narrowing

A Pilots Perspective: Truth and Consequences Truth: Mississippi River channel maintenance dredging is reduced Truth: Mississippi River channel maintenance dredging is reduced Consequences: Consequences: 1. Reduced safe passing distances for ships 2. Reduced channel creates navigation hazards 3. A reduced channel equals cargo losses 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 2

Existing Channel Widths Entrance to the Mississippi River Southwest Pass Area 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 3 750’ 650’ 600’ Gulf SWP Light SWP Pilot Station Jetties

Safe Passing Distance in Existing 650’ Channel 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 4 Photo: Mississippi River Trade and Transport Council Existing Safe Passing Separation Approximately 300’ 300’

6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 5 Passing clearance reduced from 300’ to 195’ Effect of Narrowing From 750’ to a 650’ Channel

600’ Channel Narrowed to 500’ 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 6 500’ Channel Narrowing 100’ Clearance Remaining

Narrowing to 400’ Channel 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 7 400’ Channel 400’ channel No safe passing distance remaining

6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 8 50’ remaining passing distance Wind: 15kn 10 Degrees of Vessel Leeway in a Narrowed 500’ Channel

10 Degrees of Leeway in a 400’ Channel 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 9 400’ Channel Potential Collision Wind: 15kn

Crash Stop In high current conditions, it often takes nearly 4 miles to stop a loaded down-bound ship in the Mississippi River entrance passes. In high current conditions, it often takes nearly 4 miles to stop a loaded down-bound ship in the Mississippi River entrance passes. Many ships will end up stranded aground after this maneuver. Many ships will end up stranded aground after this maneuver. 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 10

Crash Stop 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 11 Loaded Tanker ~ 4 Miles to Stop in High River Crash Stop Starts Here 4 miles to sea Mississippi River Southwest 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 tons of cargo per inch of lost draft. Panamax bulk carriers lose on average 179 tons of cargo per inch of lost draft. Thus a foot of lost channel depth is equal to a loss of 2,148 tons of cargo. Thus a foot of lost channel depth is equal to a loss of 2,148 tons of cargo. Considering the recent 5 foot draft reduction due to shoaling, a typical Panamax bulk carrier would lose 10,740 tons of cargo per trip. Considering the recent 5 foot draft reduction due to shoaling, a typical Panamax bulk carrier would lose 10,740 tons of cargo per trip. 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 12

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Capt. Mike Lorino, President Capt. Michael Miller, Vice President Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans Thank You Pilots Consequences Lack of Channel Maintenance Dredging on the Mississippi River 6/13/2016Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 15