The Skuld P&I Club reports that they have seen a recent increase of groundings and other incidents in Mississippi River and two of these groundings involved Skuld entered vessels. The Club advises all operators whose vessels are or soon will be operating in the US Gulf / Mississippi River Range to be mindful that the Mississippi River High River Season has started.
High River is measured at the New Orleans Carrollton Gauge, and High River deep draft vessel restrictions implemented by the US Coast Guard and the Mississippi River Pilots usually begin when the rising river measures 12 feet. In comparison, a normal river is in the 5 – 8 foot range, and a low river in the 2 – 5 foot range.
Mississippi River High River Season happens every year, usually from mid-March to mid-May, rarely into June – depending upon the snowpack in the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians, and upon the springtime precipitation across the US Midwest and South. The high river stage results in strong, turbulent river currents in the 4 – 6 knot range (sometimes 7 knots in the bends), as well as heavy shoaling requiring constant dredging. The shoaling is worse this year because US Government budget restrictions have reduced the number of dredges working from Baton Rouge down to Southwest Pass.
Owners and charterers need to carefully consider and to contract for the reality of high river season strong river currents, fog and shoaling – and the extra tug/pilot expenses and risks of damage and delay associated with same – when conducting charter party fixture negotiations and also later when loading the vessel.
They also should consider using the links below when planning a voyage to the Mississippi River, especially during high river season, and monitor the daily NOBOT/MCR and the pilot association websites thereafter during the voyage, as shoaling conditions and applicable restrictions change rapidly during high river season.
Source: The Skuld P&I Club
