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New Orleans, LA

29°57.0′ N 90°04.2′ W

Port ApproachPort Facilities & Contacts

Port Overview

Local Marine Weather

Live data

GMZ531 — Lake Pontchartrain

Forecast office: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA

  • Tonight

    East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.

  • Tuesday

    East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon.

  • Tuesday Night

    Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south after midnight. Seas 1 foot or less. A slight chance of showers.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service · Issued Mon, Nov 2, 16:37 · Last retrieved Mon, Nov 2, 21:47

Full NWS marine forecast (opens in new tab)

Nearby Tide Stations

Source: NOAA CO-OPS · Last retrieved Mon, Nov 2, 21:47

Nearby Current Stations

Source: NOAA CO-OPS · Last retrieved Mon, Nov 2, 21:47

Nearby NOAA/NDBC Stations

  • nwcl18761927 - New Canal Station, LA5 NM4 kt
  • shbl18761305 - Shell Beach, LA21 NM12 kt
  • gisl18761724 - Grand Isle, LA42 NM15 kt
  • wycm68747437 - Bay Waveland Yacht Club, MS45 NM11 kt

Source: NOAA NDBC · Last retrieved Mon, Nov 2, 21:39

Salinity — USGS Water Quality

Live data

Readings are from the gauge location, which may differ from conditions at the port. Provisional USGS data are subject to revision. Conductivity is shown as reported and is not converted to salinity.

Source: USGS National Water Information System · Last retrieved Mon, Nov 2, 21:28

USGS Water Data (opens in new tab)

Navigation Resources

Port Approach — Mississippi River — Southwest Pass to New Orleans

Planning reference only. Consult current official charts, notices, surveys, and pilot instructions before navigation.

STATIC REFERENCE — not live data. Live observations are in Port Overview above.

A · Entrance & Approach

  • The improved ship channels into the Mississippi are Southwest Pass and South Pass. Approach both through the prescribed safety fairways; several minor passes are for small craft only.[Ch. 8 ¶19, ¶21]

  • Landmarks

    Southwest Pass Entrance Light (122 feet, on an 85-foot tower on a white dwelling on piles, with racon) is the most conspicuous object approaching the passes.[Ch. 8 ¶8]

  • Draft limits (pilot advice)

    The Associated Branch Pilots advise a recommended draft limit of 45 feet for Southwest Pass (no DWT limit) and 15 feet / 21,000 DWT for South Pass.[Ch. 8 ¶23–24, ¶98]

  • Port limits

    Port of New Orleans spans both banks from about Mile 80.6 to Mile 115 AHP.[Ch. 8 ¶156]

  • COLREGS lines

    Mississippi Passes lines are in 33 CFR 80.825.[Ch. 8 ¶15]

Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

B · Channels & Depth

Project depth ≠ available depth. Federal project (authorized) depths below are design figures. Current controlling depth not confirmed. Consult the latest USACE surveys and official notices.

  • Bar & Southwest Pass

    Federal project depth 50 feet over the bar and through Southwest Pass to Head of Passes, under constant maintenance dredging (authorized depth).[Ch. 8 ¶21]

  • River

    Federal project depth 50 feet from Head of Passes to Mile 175, 45 feet to Mile 232.4, then 40 feet to Mile 233.8.[Ch. 8 ¶21]

  • Inner Harbor Navigation Canal lock

    Inside dimensions 626 feet long, 74 feet wide and 31 feet over the sills.[Ch. 8 ¶166]

  • Controlling depths

    Southwest Pass entrance depths are subject to change. The Coast Pilot directs mariners to the USACE New Orleans District for controlling depths.[Ch. 8 ¶98]

  • Current controlling depth not confirmed. Consult the latest USACE surveys and official notices.
Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

C · Cautions & Restrictions

  • Shoals

    A shoal of 8 to 15 feet extends about a mile beyond the west jetty along the west side of the Southwest Pass approach; it changes after spring high-river stages. A 2 to 17-foot shoal lies along the west side of the South Pass entrance. Do not close the passes before the pilot boards.[Ch. 8 ¶40–41]

  • Air draft

    River stages change constantly; validate mast height and air draft for bridges and overhead cables on the Lower Mississippi.[Ch. 8 ¶31]

  • Algiers Point

    New Orleans Vessel Traffic Center controls traffic near Algiers Point (about Mile 94.6 AHP) with traffic lights at Governor Nicolls Street Wharf, Gretna and Westwego.[Ch. 8 ¶210 · 33 CFR 165.810]

  • High water

    At 10 feet or more on the Carrollton Gage, underpowered vessels should be tug-assisted around Algiers Point. Give anchored vessels a wide berth during high water.[Ch. 8 ¶37, ¶211–212]

  • RNA & revetments

    The river from Mile 88 to 240 AHP is a regulated navigation area. Anchoring is prohibited over submerged revetments in the port.[Ch. 8 ¶176, ¶182 · 33 CFR 165.803, 207.200]

  • Explosives dumping ground

    An ammunition and explosives dumping ground lies between 28°20′–28°30′N. and 88°50′–89°00′W.[Ch. 8 ¶39]

  • River stage, high-water restrictions and USACE navigation bulletins change frequently. Check current Sector New Orleans MSIBs and USACE New Orleans District bulletins.
Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

D · Anchorages

  • Designated (offshore)

    Southwest Pass Anchorage (southeast of the entrance), South Pass Anchorage (northeast of South Pass) and the MR-GO Fairway Anchorages.[Ch. 8 ¶11, ¶33 · 33 CFR 166]

  • Designated (river)

    Numerous designated anchorages lie on both banks below New Orleans. General, quarantine and emergency anchorages are on the west side at New Orleans. The Eighth District Commander may prescribe temporary anchorages in the Local Notice to Mariners.[Ch. 8 ¶35, ¶174 · 33 CFR 110.195]

  • General description

    In heavy weather small craft near South Pass seek refuge in the pass; vessels may anchor off the passes weather permitting.[Ch. 8 ¶34]

Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

E · Pilotage

  • Associated Branch Pilots

    Bar pilots from sea to Pilottown. Board up to 3 miles off the sea buoys depending on weather. Tenders: red hulls, white housing, Code flag "P". VHF 6, 9, 16, 67 (67 working). Stations at Southwest Pass and South Pass.

  • Crescent River Port Pilots

    Pilottown to New Orleans. ETA, draft, DWT and speed at least 24 hours before arrival at South Pass Buoy 2 or Southwest Pass Buoy SW; amended ETA required for changes over 2 hours.

    24-hour dispatch504-392-8001(Crescent River Port Pilots 24-hour dispatch)
    dispatch@crescentpilots.com

  • New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots

    New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Usually board off The Point (about Mile 91.0) from commercial launches. VHF 67 working. 3-hour sailing notice for downriver vessels departing above Norco.

    Office504-466-7881(New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Office)Office504-466-7882(New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Office)

  • Associated Federal Pilots and Docking Masters of Louisiana

    Public vessels and U.S.-flag vessels not under registry, Southwest Pass to Baton Rouge. Embark near Southwest Pass Buoy SW; call the station on VHF 9 before arrival. Station monitors VHF 9 and 16.

  • Requirement

    Compulsory at the bar and on the river for foreign vessels over 100 tons and U.S. vessels over 100 tons under register in foreign trade; optional for coastwise vessels with a federally licensed pilot.[Ch. 8 ¶68]

  • Telephone numbers for the Associated Branch Pilots and Associated Federal Pilots are not given in the reviewed paragraphs.
Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

F · USCG / Captain of the Port

Routine contact · USCG Heartland District

Sector New Orleans

COTP: Captain of the Port, New Orleans

200 Hendee Street, New Orleans, LA 70114

504-365-2200(Sector New Orleans main line)

Coast Pilot 5 App. A ¶64 · 33 CFR 3.40-15

Emergency

Maritime distress: VHF-FM Channel 16 / DSC Channel 70. The Sector office line above is for routine business.

  • Jurisdiction

    Navigation on the river and the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to the MR-GO junction is under Coast Guard jurisdiction.[Ch. 8 ¶208]

  • Units

    New Orleans Coast Guard Base is on the west side of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal just north of the lock. Air Station New Orleans is about 2.8 miles southwest of Belle Chasse.[Ch. 8 ¶171, ¶206]

  • Vessel Traffic Center

    New Orleans VTC controls traffic near Algiers Point.[Ch. 8 ¶210]

Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

G · Reference Positions

Orientation only — not for navigation

  • Southwest Pass Entrance Light

    28°54'21"N., 89°25'43"W.

    CP5 Ch. 8 ¶8

  • Pilot boarding positions are described relative to the sea buoys, not as coordinates.

Coordinates reproduced with the source's precision. Coast Pilot positions are referenced to NAD 83 unless stated otherwise.

Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

H · Official Navigation & Conditions Links

Sources (2) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.

Port Facilities & Contacts

Port Authority & Public Contacts

Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA)

Port of New Orleans Building, foot of Thalia Street Wharf, east bank, Mile 95.7 AHP

portnola.com(opens in new tab)
  • A Port NOLA main phone and Harbor Police contact were not confirmed from a primary source in this review.
Gulf Port Directory (no port-specific service listings yet)

Listings come from official publications. Inclusion does not mean a terminal or shorebase is open to visiting vessels — confirm directly with the operator.

Sources (1) · static reference

“Source checked” means the document was reviewed; current channel conditions were not independently verified.