Hot Port News from GAC

• MSIB 37-17 [issued on 8 November] updated the restrictions on the anchorage due to temporary safety zones.
• MSIB 40-17 [issued on 8 December] further restricted the use of the anchorage due to a temporary safety zone.
• These safety zones have been established in order to facilitate the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project as well as pipeline removal operations required for the aforementioned project.

This bulletin summarizes the current safety zones which cause restrictions on the anchorage and provides updates on the location of the pipeline and the types of vessels that can use the anchorage (updates in bold).

• A pipeline has been placed across the anchorage from approximately 39 deg. 48’ 03.81”N, 075 deg. 24’ 24.80”W extending to 39 deg. 48’ 27.80”N, 075 deg. 24’ 02.53”W.  This pipeline is marked with lighted buoys at 300’ intervals and vessels may not pass over the submerged pipeline….
• A safety zone has been established within 250 yards of the towing vessel JOKER and crane barge KELLY.  Currently, these vessels are conducting dive operations and pipeline removal operations within the southern portion of the anchorage.  These operations, and the established safety zone, result in restrictions on the use of the southern portion of the anchorage as the safety zone encompasses this portion of the anchorage in its entirety….
• The portion of the anchorage upriver from the pipeline may be used by vessels greater than 750 feet overall length, for a period of less than 12 hours, that obtain permission from the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay at least 24 hours in advance at (215) 271-4807.  Permission will be granted on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Mariners are encouraged to check for updates to this bulletin on the Sector Delaware Bay Homeport website at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/delaware-bay prior to calling with a reservation request.

(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)

Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 42-17 dated 14 December 2017