New technology gives data on Atchafalaya, weather

As of Monday, mariners now have access to more real-time weather and waterway information in the Atchafalaya River to assist them in their navigation efforts and decision making.
Two Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System stations, which were recently installed near the Eugene Island Lighthouse and about two miles south of Eugene Island in the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, became operational Monday, according to officials.
The Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District commission met Monday at the Port of Morgan City.
The stations were paid for by $550,000 in 2011 port security grant funding. Eugene Island Lighthouse is about 25 miles south of the Port of Morgan City.
The system consists of four stations including the two newly-installed and two more stations in Berwick and Amerada Pass, Darren Wright, PORTS program manager for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. The two older stations have been in place for six years and two years, respectively. Amerada Pass is located four to five miles north of Eugene Island.
“Now we’ve got coverage all the way for our entire channel,” Port of Morgan City Executive Director Raymond “Mac” Wade said.
The systems are a network of oceanographic and geological sensors located near ports to provide mariners with information to help them navigate safely and efficiently, Wright said.
The information the systems provide includes observed and predicted water levels, river current, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, and air and water temperature, Wright said.
NOAA partnered with the Port of Morgan City, which acted as the project sponsor, to install the systems. NOAA provides the program management, data collection, infrastructure dissemination and the quality control on a 24/7 basis, Wright said.
The Port of Morgan City’s real-time system is the 24th such system implemented around the country, Wright said.
NOAA officials studied the impact of the systems’ economic benefits, which showed a 59 percent reduction in vessel groundings and 21 percent reduction in oil spills just by knowing the up-to-date info, Wright said.
Data from the real-time systems can be accessed by visiting tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/index.html?port=mc. The mobile link is mobile.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/mobile.shtml?port=mc. People can also call 888-312-4113 to access the data.
Also at Monday’s commission meeting, the board approved applying for a 2015 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant in the amount of $15 million. The grant is offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Port officials plan to apply for $15 million in funding to extend its dock by about 400 feet to the west and also creating a new laydown yard at the port. A total of $12 million would come from the grant, and the port would be required to provide a $3 million non-federal match. The deadline to apply for the grant is June 5.
Port Special Projects Coordinator Mike Knobloch said 2015 is the best shot the Port of Morgan City has had to receive TIGER grant funds. Still, the port will face lots of competition for the grants from other ports, states, counties and other organizations, Knobloch said.
Port officials are required to provide a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed projects, and the port’s recently completed economic impact study will help in acquiring those grant funds, Knobloch said. With the amount of industry using port facilities, Knobloch believes the Port of Morgan City now has justification to receive TIGER grants funds, he said.
With import-export ships having made 18 visits to the port since August 2014, federal officials are now showing interest in the port, Port of Morgan City Executive Director Raymond “Mac” Wade said.
Despite lots of rainfall, work continues to stay on schedule for the Port of Morgan City’s Government Emergency and Operations Center located on La. 182 adjacent to the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, Project Manager Walt Adams said. The $11 million center is scheduled for completion the last week of September.
Interior wall construction inside the two-story building will begin next week, Adams said. Workers intend to paint the interior walls by July 1, Adams said. Workers laid the foundation of the center at the beginning of March.
The center can serve as an emergency command center during events such as hurricanes and will also house tenants from governmental agencies on a day-to-day basis.
In other business, the commission
—Approved its 2015 tax year millage rate of 4.49 mills, which continues the previous year’s rate.
—Approved spending up to $80,000 for insurance renewal through Paul’s Agency.
—Approved going to bid on port security grant projects and commit to provide matching funds for those projects.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com