Date: July 27, 2008

Contact:  Joint Information Center
(504) 393-0372

Notice to Mariners

NEW ORLEANS - This message was issued at 6 p.m. Saturday and is being broadcast to mariners throughout the Mississippi River:

The Captain of the Port of New Orleans, under the authority of the port and waterways safety act, has established a safety zone from the Southwest Pass Sea Buoy, including Baptiste Collette and South Pass to mile marker 98, Lower Mississippi River, above Head of Passes, extending the entire width of the river.

This safety zone is needed to protect persons and vessels from the hazards associated with an oil spill from a collision involving a tanker ship and a fuel barge.

All vessels are prohibited from entering this safety zone unless they have been granted permission from the Captain of the Port of New Orleans.

Limited vessel movement will be authorized only with specific approval from the Captain of the Port. All inbound vessels bound for berths in the effected zone are required to stay outside Southwest Pass.

Failure to comply with the safety zone will subject persons to a civil penalty of up to $32,500. Willful violation of this order may be punishable by a fine of not more than $50,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.

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