Towing, power restrictions in effect for Berwick Bay

Tows traveling through the bridges in the Berwick Bay area are under length and horsepower restrictions due to the river level and strength of the current, Coast Guard Lt. Jon Scott, chief of waterways for Marine Safety Unit Morgan City, said this morning.
The river stage was about 4.7 feet and the current was about 2.3 knots, Scott said.
“From our observations, it’s prudent to go ahead and enforce those restrictions on tows southbound through the bridges,” Scott said.
Southbound tows transiting the Morgan City bridges and westbound tows turning into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, at mile 99 near the Berwick boat launch, will be limited to a maximum tow length of 600 feet, Scott said.
Towing vessels equipped with a properly operating bow steering unit and northbound tows through Morgan City bridges are exempt from the emergency vessel traffic movement controls, Scott said.
Additional deviations may be granted by vessel traffic service Berwick Bay, on a case by case basis, to any single towing vessel with 3,000 or more horsepower and to tows with all empty barges, Scott said.
The river level is projected to reach about 5.4 feet on March 27, which was the furthest prediction available, Scott said.
Coast Guard personnel will monitor the river level to determine if additional restrictions are needed, he said.
The next stage that would require additional restrictions would be at a river level of six feet, Scott said.
If the river remains around 5 feet, but the current increases, the Coast Guard may impose additional restrictions for safety purposes, Scott said.
All tows remain subject to the vessel traffic service Berwick Bay high water towing limitations.
For further information, contact Marine Safety Unit Morgan City at 985-380-5374.