La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXX-9119

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LXX-9119 - Vessel Scheduling System (VSS)

A. The association will act upon all requests for pilot services without delay; provided, they have been notified a minimum of four hours prior to any vessel's expressed intended need of pilot(s).

B. Pilots shall consult and cooperate with the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District to assist best operation of the navigable waterway system under the district's jurisdiction.

C. Individuals other than vessel crewmembers may be aboard transiting vessels only at the discretion and approval of the U.S. Customs Service and vessel owners/agents and shall not interfere with pilots' duties and responsibilities.

D. Responses to inquiries voiced to the association or its members from current or prospective Calcasieu River Waterway customers regarding marine services coordination and channel-use priorities shall be coordinated with the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District toward developing appropriate responses.

E. Calcasieu River Waterway systemic navigation controls are reserved for federal, state and local authorities. Vessel draft and beam width restrictions deemed necessary by pilots may be imposed only after consulting with, and upon approval of, the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) most current channel surveys and recommendations are generally relied upon in determining if limiting vessel drafts to less than 40 feet may be warranted.

F. The U.S. Coast Guard recognizes and supports state of Louisiana authorized efforts of the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, with local Harbor Safety Committee (HSC) coordination, to safely and efficiently operate the Calcasieu River navigable waterway system. Codification of additional specific Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District Calcasieu River navigable waterway operating controls at 33 CFR 165.807 may be appropriate if controls go beyond routine navigation priority determinations.

G. Positive control of Calcasieu River navigation is exercised through vessel traffic scheduling procedures accessible at http://www.lakecharlespilots.com/vtssafety/ or by calling (337) 436-0372 when pilotage is required and otherwise through liaison with the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District Harbormaster by calling (337) 493-3620 to request priority transit or to address extraordinary navigation evolutions which might be expected to adversely affect other navigation.

H. The board recognizes and supports the appropriateness of these aforementioned navigation controls and scheduling procedures.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXX-9119

Promulgated by the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners and Examiners, Calcasieu River Waterway, LR 28:1481 (June 2002).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 34:1072.