SAFETY / MONONGAHELA RIVER / GENERAL / SEC OV BNM 0698-24 /
THE COTP PITTSBURGH ADVISES MARINERS THAT A 100'-FOOT-WIDE TEMPORARY NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL AT ELIZABETH LOCK AND DAM WILL BE OPEN FOR COMMERICAL NAVIGATION ONLY STARTING SEPTEMBER 14, 2024. THIS TEMPORARY NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL IS RESTRICTED TO VESSELS AND VESSEL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE 56 FEET WIDE OR LESS PERIODS OF UNRESTRICTED VISIBILITY ONLY. NIGHT TRANSIT IS AUTHORIZED. THE AREA AROUND THIS TEMPORARY NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL IS AN ACTIVE WORKSITE. RECREATIONAL BOATERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO USE THE TEMPORARY NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL AND WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE LAND CHAMBER. THERE IS STILL A 7 FOOT DRAFT RESTRICTION FOR ALL MARINERS USING THE LAND CHAMBER. MARINERS SHALL REACH OUT TO THE LOCK MASTER ON CHANNEL 16 AND 13 AT THE ARRIVAL POINTS TO RECEIVE APPROVAL BEFORE TRANSITING THE TEMPORARY NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL. THE LOCK MASTER CAN BE REACHED ON VHF-FM CHANNEL 13. THE COAST GUARD CAN BE REACHED ON VHF-FM CHANNEL 16.
