Morgan City

Tides

N winds lower the water level by 0.3m and SE winds raise it by up to 0.6m. Freshets occur frequently in May and June, when the river overflows its banks and the currents will also be experienced in the dredged entrance channel with a combination of N winds and extreme low tides.

Approach

From a position in the vicinity of the approach lightbuoy (29°12'N 91°32'W) the track leads NE for approx 21nm through a dredged channel, marked by light buoys and light beacons, passing SE of Eugene Island Light to enter Atchafalaya River, thereafter the river banks are sufficient guide.

Port limits

Depth for the lower dredged channel leading from deep water into Lower Atchafalaya River is 6.1m, width 122m. Depths in the river are about 4.6 to 5.2m in the entrance.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Berwick Bay VTS: A navigational safety service is operated by the USCG in the immediate vicinity of Morgan City and along the adjacent Intercoastal Waterway, to co-ordinate the flow of traffic and limit the size of tows and certain types of cargo when high water conditions exist. A VMRS to manage and track vessel movements within the VTS area has been established and is compulsory for the following:

Power driven vessels of 40m length, while navigating.

Towing vessels of 8m length, while navigating.

Vessels certificated to carry 50 or more passengers for hire, when engaged in trade.

Restrictions

There are three bridges that connect Morgan City to Berwick with the following height restrictions:

E.J Lionel Grizaffi Bridge on Highway 90 is 22m.

Long-Allen Bridge on Highway 182 is 15m.

Berwick Bay Railway Bridge is 22m.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

BA 3850, 3851. Admirality pilot NP69A.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Where it is

Morgan City is situated at the junction of the Atchafalaya River and the Intracoastal Waterway, 29nm inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

The port

Morgan City is a centre for offshore oil exploration. The main cargo handled are bulk, break bulk and project cargoes. The port of Morgan City is also USDA approved.

What are the pilot arrangements at Morgan City?

Not available, local knowledge is required to enter.

What time zone is Morgan City in?

Local time at Morgan City is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

Who carries out Port State Control at Morgan City?

Port State Control at Morgan City: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Morgan City?

The UN/LOCODE of Morgan City is USLMO.

What crews who called at Morgan City say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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