Projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that neither light sheen nor heavy oil are expected to be present at Southwest Pass through Thursday morning. Forecasters are not able to make reliable projections beyond Thursday.
As a precaution, two cleaning stations have been established in the Mississippi River, but no vessels have been required to be cleaned. The Coast Guard issued the following Marine Safety bulletin on Monday Morning:
"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."