Barge allowed in oil-spill waters

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) - Two fuel barges were cleared Friday to enter Mississippi River waters that have been off limits since a massive oil spill from a barge that collided with a tanker, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said.

Lt. Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau said the first barge, which is carrying products to an oil refinery south of New Orleans, moved through the zone at 8 a.m. CT.

Booms have been set up to push the oil downstream, and away from the shores, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Ameen. He said two tugboats were assisting the barges, one of which was leaving the Chalmette Refinery with a load of fuel.

She said a cruise ship that had been scheduled to dock at New Orleans was being diverted to another port, and the tourists would probably be bused to the city.