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16 Jan 2018 / Delaware River & Bay, United States

Seasonal Ice Procedure Status Update (Change 7)

The Captain of the Port (COTP) Delaware Bay is notifying mariners that there have been reports of ice formation that may impact navigation throughout the COTP zone. All masters, ship agents, owners, and operators of all vessels, marine facilities, and marinas should review and adhere to the following Ice Procedures for the Delaware River and its tributaries, the Delaware Bay, and NJ and DE coasts:

Vessels which do not meet the requirements for specific areas as listed below may request a waiver from the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay. Those vessels should submit a request via email to [email protected] detailing their need for a waiver and their intentions for transit. Waiver requests will be granted on a case by case basis.

  • Deep draft vessels may only transit upriver of the Delair Railroad Bridge during daylight hours.
  • Only steel hull vessels may operate in the Delaware River upriver of the Betsy Ross Bridge.
  • Only steel hull vessels may operate within the Intracoastal Waterway of Delaware and New Jersey include the Back Bay areas within the Sector Delaware Bay Captain of the Port Zone. Inlets and coast remain unrestricted.
  • Only steel hull vessels may operate in the Schuylkill River.
  • Only steel hull vessels may operate in the Salem River.
  • Only steel hull vessels may operate in the Christina River.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has imposed a steel hull restriction on the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal.
  • Vessels should be able to maneuver unassisted without needing to stop, back off, and ram the ice.
  • Vessel moorings should be checked frequently to ensure the vessel is adequately moored.
  • Vessels at anchor should maintain their engines on standby at all times when ice is present.
  • Vessels at anchor should ensure that proper bridge watches are stood at all times.
  • Vessel sea chests should be checked regularly for ice buildup and precautions should be taken to ensure that the sea chests are kept clear.

Due to ice, a significant amount of buoys have been reported missing or off station in the Sector Delaware Bay Captain of the Port Zone. The Captain of the Port urges mariners to refrain from utilizing floating aids as a primary means of navigation.

The COTP may set ice conditions for any safety zone described in title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 165.550, or a portion thereof, requiring vessels to meet the restrictions. Vessels must have the proper hull type and an adequate propulsion system meeting the minimum horsepower requirements imposed.

Please refer to our internet website for current ice condition information by visit https://homeport.uscg.mil/ and choosing Delaware Bay from the Port Directory drop down. Ice condition updates will be located in the Safety Notifications section under Safety Alerts. Ice condition information can also be obtained by calling the Sector Delaware Bay Ice Line at (215) 271-4995.

Vessels, marine facilities, and marinas are required to keep the Coast Guard informed of any major ice developments. A Facility Information Sheet has been posted in Homeport for use by waterfront facilities, and is included as an attachment to this MSIB. Please send reports to [email protected] and [email protected] prior to 0900 daily.

(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at [email protected])

Source: US Coast Guard Alert: MSIB 03-18 Seasonal Ice Procedure Update 7 dated 14 January 2018

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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