Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Ship Channel
Release

Date: Sept. 5, 2008
Time: 12:45 p.m. CST

Contact: Petty Officer David Schuhlein 

(713) 578-3082

(504) 671-2020 

PORT OF NEW ORLEANS REOPENS 

NEW ORLEANS - The Port of New Orleans has been reopened. The following ship traffic restrictions are in effect:

• The Captain of the Port of New Orleans has established a safety zone in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (INHC) from the INHC to mile marker 11 east of the Harvey Locks.  No entry is allowed in the safety zone without permission from the Captain of the Port of New Orleans.  This safety zone has been established to protect mariners from the hazards associated with salvage operations.  The area between Danzinger Bridge and Lake Pontchartrain is open to vessel traffic.
• The Captain of the Port of New Orleans has lifted port condition Zulu to all vessel traffic regardless of draft for the entire river from mile marker 20 Below Head of Passes (Southwest Pass jetties) to mile marker 303, Above Head of Passes.  This includes the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from mile marker 20, west of Harvey Locks to mile marker 44, east of Harvey Locks
• Vessels entering and departing from the Gulf from Southwest Pass sea buoy to mile marker 20 Below Head of Passes are limited to a 42-foot draft until area surveys are complete
• Vessels operating above mile marker 150, Above Head of Passes, with a draft greater than 30-feet are limited to daylight hours only
• Houma Navigational Canal:  closed
• Morgan City:  Port Allen alternate route from Port Allen Locks to Bayou Sorrel is open
• Port Fourchon: closed
• Port Iberia: closed

The Pilots' Association is responsible for guiding deep draft commercial ships, such as oil tankers and bulk carriers, through the ship channel they cover.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790