MOBILE, Ala. — Commercial vessels should plan for a temporary closure of the Mobile Bar Channel and Mobile River Channel during the inbound tow of the former USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The tow is currently expected to begin at 6 a.m. CST Friday, Nov. 13, weather permitting.
The Alabama Port Authority Harbormaster’s office will continue to coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and other stakeholders to evaluate weather and port conditions ahead of the planned tow. Any schedule changes will be posted on this page and shared by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile.
Channel restrictions during the tow
The full channel from Mobile Lighted Buoy 1 to the Cochrane Bridge is expected to close to commercial traffic for the duration of the tow, which could take several hours. All vessels must obtain Coast Guard authorization to enter or remain in the channel safety zone while it is in effect.
Moving Naval Protection Zone
A 500-yard Naval Protection Zone will follow the Enterprise from the time it enters the Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port Mobile zone until it is safely moored at the Modern American Recycling Services (M.A.R.S.) facility. Vessels within 500 yards must travel at the minimum speed needed to maintain a safe course. Entry within 100 yards requires authorization from the Coast Guard or an official patrol.
Once the Enterprise is moored at the M.A.R.S. facility at 701 S. Royal St., a fixed safety zone will take effect around the berth. The zone lies outside the Mobile River federal channel, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates no impact to commercial vessel traffic from the fixed zone during dismantling.
Monitoring and contacts
Commercial mariners and recreational boaters should monitor VHF Channel 16 for Coast Guard instructions during the tow. Mariners may also use Channel 16 to request authorization to enter a restricted area. Recreational boaters should expect law enforcement patrols along the tow route and follow directions from on-water officers.
For questions, call the Sector Mobile Command Center at (251) 266-5888. For details on the safety zones, including the boundaries of the fixed zone, see U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Navigation Bulletins 26-143 and 26-144 on the Mobile District’s Navigation Notices page.
Media contact:
Jason Johnson, Alabama Port Authority
Director of Communications
jason.johnson@alports.com; (334) 701-9145