SOUTHWEST PASS AREA Examples of the Known Effects to Navigation Due to Channel Narrowing Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 1

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 Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 2

Existing Channel Widths Entrance to the Mississippi River Southwest Pass Area Associated 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 Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 4 Photo: Mississippi River Trade and Transport Council Existing Safe Passing Separation Approximately 300’ 300’

Associated 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’ Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 6 500’ Channel Narrowing 100’ Clearance Remaining

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

Associated 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 Associated 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. Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans 10

Crash Stop Associated 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

THANK YOU Pilots Consequences Lack of Channel Maintenance Dredging on the Mississippi River