[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Its that time of year now when the Mississippi River wakes up and transforms itself from a mild and mannered slow moving waterway to a swift moving milrace that shows pity on no one . Its been my observation from over thirty-six years of both working and living on the Mississippi River how navigational factors and aspects of piloting both dramatically change and actually reverse themselves from a low river stage to what we are experiencing now . For example , now going north or up bound the average speed of a ship has changed from about 11 to 12 knots (not mph) to about 7 to 8 knots, and the downbound speed has of course changed from about 12 to 13 knots to about 15 to 16 knots . One other noticable factor that has reversed itself is the lateral slides or sets that occur both north bound and south bound as well . We see more moderate to large south bound tows flank more often and at points that they would normally steer . This additional flanking of large tows creates added issues for fast moving ships that just simply don't handle or steer well in high current when forced to operate on a slow bell or have to stop altogether . Lately the New Orleans , Carrolton River Stage has been hovering at about 11.5 feet and is expected to crest well over 14 feet if there is no additional rainfall . From what I've been seeing on the weather channel another front will be blowing through and of course dropping more rain to futher compound this years high water issues . Among seasoned river pilots , we have a term that some in other professions may use as well , simply known as the Pucker Factor . I and others find that the level of the Pucker Factor has a direct correlation to the local River Stage regardless to the location a pilot may be operating in . This factor also has a tendency to rise even futher when some pilots get themselves in " extremis " situations and then must rely on their luck and intestional fortitude to get themselves out of these situations . If anyone would care to learn more about the Pucker Factor just shoot me an e-mail and I will be more than happy to elaborate more .
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson