Waterway Status - Entrance into Southwest Pass
Southwest Pass remains open to deep draft vessels and is free of any restrictions to marine traffic.
It is the intent of the Captain of the Port of New Orleans to facilitate the movement of marine traffic to the fullest extent possible throughout the duration of the oil spill response. To that end, the Coast Guard will examine all measures necessary to ensure commerce through the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway continues with a minimum of restrictions.
Vessel traffic is highly encouraged to avoid the spill areas during voyages in the vicinity of southeast Louisiana, as well as the approaches to Southwest Pass. Vessels that must transit through the affected zone should maintain a safe speed through the oil that appears light, bright, and on the surface. Vessels should make every effort to avoid pockets of heavy black oil, while ensuring safe navigation. Vessels which follow these procedures will greatly reduce the possibility that they will need their hull cleaned at some future date.
Unless otherwise directed by a Captain of the Port Order, vessels entering the Lower Mississippi River via Southwest Pass shall proceed as deemed appropriate by the pilot directing the movement of the ship under the authority of the ship's master.
This spill is a continuously developing incident and it has the potential to be a long term event. Information regarding the response effort and oil spill locations can be found at www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
Smaller passes in the Mississippi Delta region may be restricted or closed due to booming operations; however, any closure will only be made after careful consideration of the impact on vessel traffic and the necessity to protect the environment.
For additional information, contact the following:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 846-5923 Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 565-5103 or (504) 565-5108 or email to D08-PF-SECNEWORLEANS-WATERWAYS@uscg.mil.
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Center Lower Mississippi River: VHF-FM Channel 12
or (504) 589-2780
CAPTAIN P. F. COOK
Alternate Captain of the Port New Orleans
LCDR Marty Daniels
Waterways Division Chief
USCG Sector New Orleans
(504) 565 5044