As the Gard Club informs, high water and strong currents in the Mississippi River can lead to delays and additional costs being incurred. The high-water season is often said to run from December to May, with the highest water being usually seen from February to May.
However, this is not the only high water season, as high water can take place at many times and has sometimes lasted from January until August, with only limited breaks. Long-term forecasts are not always accurate because a huge land mass area drains into the Mississippi River, and heavy precipitation over that land mass can rise the river level quickly, with little warning. Of course, spring snow melt always raises the river, but this should not be considered the only high-water season.
High river also brings various problems for ships, many regarding the swift current of 6-7 knots and shoaling, which can cause unexpected draft restrictions. Other problems resulted from these conditions include:
- Very long delays of two or even three weeks for deep draft vessels when channel dredging is required;
- Daylight only navigation;
- Damage to anchor windlasses or loss of anchors, which often “dig” deep into the soft mud as vessels are impacted by the strong current;
- Standby tugs and 24-hour on-board pilotage at certain berths and midstream buoy facilities.
The above problems can lead to delays and very extensive extra expenses. In fact, tugs cost as much as USD 3,000 per hour and two or even three tugs may be needed at some berths. Attendance by pilots on a 24-hour basis can also cost more than USD 20,000 per day.
As a result, extra tug and pilot costs above those usually noted on an estimated Disbursement Account can easily be USD 300,000 – USD 500,000 or more for a call to a Mississippi River berth during periods of high water.
Due to the above Gard suggests that before any voyage to the Mississippi River, operators should contact reliable local interests, such as vessel agents or the local Club correspondent. Charter parties should also include some protection against high water expenses. In addition, all mooring gear and ground tackle should be checked and re-checked, while extra mooring lines should be available. Finally, owners should not let the promise of a good charter rate blind them to the problems and extra expenses that can take place on the Mississippi River during high water periods.
