Mississippi River traffic limits lifted
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Traffic restrictions on a three-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been lifted.
The one-way traffic restriction put in placed Monday after a ship broke free of its mooring and hit two other vessels was lifted Thursday by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard had closed several miles of river near Convent on Monday after the Privocean – a 751-foot bulk carrier – broke free, drifted and struck a 98-foot towing vessel, the Texas.
Authorities say the Privocean drifted further downriver and hit the 816-foot tank ship Bravo, which spilled about 420 gallons of crude oil.
The Coast Guard says in a news release that the three ships were moved out of the crash area and are awaiting repairs.
