Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (Industrial) Lock

Comment by: Robert, Slow Dancing, on May 31, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

In preparation for a transit through New Orleans, headed toward Texas I emailed the Coast Guard's New Orelans vessel traffic service about how / if they wanted recreational vessels to check in to VTS. <br /> <br /> Here is the response I got from the Watch Supervisor for Vessel Traffic Service LMR. <br /> <br /> "Even though you're not required to participate, we would like for you to give us a call on Ch12 (New Orleans Traffic) if it is available on your radio or Ch67 which is the Bridge to Bridge radio telephone Channel in the Mississippi River. The reason being is so that we know you're in the area and we can inform other Ship/Tow traffic, who are required to check in." <br /> <br /> "Also, after you exit the Industrial Canal Forebay, we request that stay as close to the Left/Right descending bank as possible while transiting up river to the Harvey Locks. Most vessels usually stay on the Left Bank until reaching the Locks and then cross over but the right descending is fine if that is what you prefer."

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Capt Sam, Here's To Us, on Feb 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

February 12, 2022. Sam of WhatYachtToDo on a training and delivery journey. Sea Ray 480MY with a 4-ft draft. Follow the procedures outlined nicely in Navionics as well. The lock sent down a line for us which we held midship. Very helpful. It is very important Westbound that you follow the procedures and talk on New Orleans Traffic as you exit and proceed upbound on the Mississippi to the Harvey Lock.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: David Fuller, Still Waters II, on Nov 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

When approaching the Industrial Lock from the Mississippi River, there is a dock behind the short wall with three cleats spaced about 50 feet apart. The lock master will direct pleasure craft to this dock while waiting on tow traffic to clear. The dock master will also allow an over stay along the dock. There is one 110 volt power cord also available for use. Stay close to the short wall as you approach for the most depth in water. To the middle of the waterway to shore shoals quickly. We saw 7 foot of depth near short wall and 5 foot in the middle between the short wall and shore.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Cam & Jennifer Canup, Viatori, on May 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

On 05/22/2022 our vessel swung into the concrete blocks (not vlocks) after the wind and prop wash from a tug pushed us. There should have been sufficient space to account for this but there was not. We called for TowboatUS assist and when they arrived, we were advised the hazards were not clearly marked, along with a tug boat captain telling over the radio the area was very shallow.<br /> <br />

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: William OBrien, At Last, on Feb 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 6.0'

Went through (1/25/21). As with other boater on VHF 14 lock master instructed us to tie up along side right before St Claude Bridge. When they were ready for us they instructed us to call the bridge first so they will open. Bridge opened and in we went. They handed us one small rope and it was a smooth ride down to canal level but would have been tricky if not for our bow thrusters. Call all other bridges beyond here when you're actually coming up to them (channel 13) - otherwise they'll ignore you - lol.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Jake Hottes on Nov 27, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.5'

Similar experience to others posting here. Called the lockmaster from the river. He instructed me to come in the canal and tie up on the backside of the short wall. Plenty of room to tie off and wait. Had to wait about 3hr very busy and requires a bridge opening to enter the lock. The lockmaster coordinates the bridge opening for you. This lock just reopned Nov 25th, came through the 26th, very busy.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Jerry McElwee, Archangel, on Apr 10, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 6.0'

When conversing with lock master on entering from Ms river side be real clear on instructions you receive on where to tie up. If instructed to go to the “short” wall then this is a bulkhead on the east side of the lock entry area when facing towards the lock opening. Overall area is not large and not fully navigable. you need to stay as close to the short wall as possible. enter from the middle to the dock side (left). If You steer towards the right hand side it shoals quickly to less than 6’ with rip rap rock/boulders as a bottom and you run the risk of going hard aground. The area has no markers to indicate areas to stay away from.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Brian Hasten on Feb 11, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Came through February 10 from River. Stayed the night along wall dock. 110 power on cord. Call lock master to tie up. Went through the lock alone, much less current going down. Plan ahead on bridges; Danzinger was broken.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Len Barton, Short Dog II, on Jan 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Came through on a Saturday and not too much traffic. But, since we were a pleasure boat, we had to wait behind the bollards (nice dock) for nearly three hours while three tugs came through. Expect delays at this lock.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

When transiting these locks, pay close attention to the curfew times of the bridges. It's very easy to get "trapped" on one end or the other. And we found that no one will even respond to you on VHF during these times.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer