Gulf Inland Waterways Joint Hurricane Response Protocol

After the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard and the inland marine industry (through GICA and American Waterways Operators) established the Gulf Coast Inland Waterways Joint Hurricane Team (JHT). The resulting Joint Hurricane Response Protocol was developed early in 2006.

Scope

• Covers the Lower Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, the GIWW and its tributaries
• Defines the roles of USCG, USACE, NOAA, the states and industry before and after storms
• Aims at rapid recovery of the maritime transportation system after a storm

GICA's role

GICA maintains the Protocol as the inland marine industry's primary waterways management representative for the Gulf Coast, and the GICA President chairs the JHT. The Protocol is reviewed annually, and GICA posts storm-specific port condition information and STORM bulletins.