New Orleans Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discover vessels whose rudders may have set into the mud while safely anchored.
Masters and/or operators of vessels are reminded of their responsibility, as noted in 46 Code of Federal Regulations 4.05-1, to notify the nearest Coast Guard Sector Office whenever their vessel is involved in a marine casualty which includes any unintended grounding [46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(1)].
In addition, Masters and/or operators of vessels are reminded of their responsibility under 33 Code of Federal Regulations part 164.25 which require all vessels over 1600 gross tons to test their steering gear no more than 12 hours before entering port or getting underway.
Vessels which discover their rudder set in the soft mud of the river bank as noted above shall notify the New Orleans Vessel Traffic Center via VHF marine radio channel 5A, 11 or 12 or via landline at (504) 365-2514. Once the vessel comes off ground, the Master shall conduct a steering test prior
to getting underway in accordance with 33 Code of Federal Regulations part 164.25 and report the results of the test to the New Orleans Vessel Traffic Center.
This notice is intended to maintain the Captain of the Port's awareness ofthe potential consequences to vessel operations during low water conditions
on the Mississippi River.