Mississippi River remains open to shipping

Mississippi River remains open to shipping    Despite reports that the outer edge of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is beginning to reach shore in Louisiana, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept open to commercial shipping the Southwest Pass to the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the Port of New Orleans.
   Shipping routes from the south and west remained clear of oil as of 6 p.m. Friday, and vessels are advised to approach Southwest Pass from the west to avoid the oil spill altogether, the port authority said.
   It is possible some of the oil could reach the approach to the Mississippi River by Saturday morning.
   The Coast Guard has indicated it will allow vessels to transit the river without having their hulls cleaned because the oil is a light sheen variety, the port authority said.