Coast Guard officials in New Orleans, Louisiana have issued a statement to the effect that some portions of the Mississippi River that runs through the state will be reopened to vessels today, following the closure of the river earlier this week due to a storm.

Days of heavy rain and stormy conditions in the state lead to the Mississippi River swelling significantly, with many ships being grounded or stranded after gale force winds caused the river to surge. Fortunately, the navigable portion of the river was the least affected by the storm, and officials have now declared that the river will reopen to some vessels.

The only vessels allowed to traverse the river are ships that are less than 250 feet long and have a draft of less than 30 feet. Tugboats of all sizes will also be allowed to travel on the river. The reopening of the river comes after Coast Guard officials conducted a thorough inspection of the area, to ensure that no hazards that could cause further damage to vessels remained after the storm.

Salvage operations are expected to begin on Thursday for the ships and barges that remain stranded on the banks of the river.

According to Captain Peter Gautier, an member of the New Orleans Coast Guard, maritime crew members and vessel owners took comprehensive precautions when word of the storm hit the area, leading to only minimal damage to ships and the navigable channel along the Mississippi. Despite the precautions, however, there is still a significant amount of work to be done before the river will be able to accommodate its previous capacity of traffic. Coast Guard officials have reassured the maritime community that the damage should be cleared and the river reopened within a week.

The New Orleans Coast Guard and police department have urged any members of the general public, as well as experienced maritime employees to report any signs of environmental pollution or damage to ships that they notice in the area.  Queries and complaints can be made to the New Orleans incident management team, as well as to the New Orleans Sector Command Center. Public cooperation can go a long way towards minimizing the risk of hazards along the river, according to a spokesperson for the coast guard.

After a storm such as the one experienced in New Orleans, it is common for large waterways like the Mississippi to be contaminated by debris, which can cause environmental pollution and damage to ships if not adequately cleared.

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