Mariners' Advisory Committee
for the Bay & River Delaware
www.MacDelRiv.org
   
Posted   03-09-2015 12:29    
COMMANDER
U.S. COAST GUARD
SECTOR DELAWARE BAY
1 WASHINGTON AVE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19147
TEL: (215) 271-4807
FAX: (215) 271-4833

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN

[MSIB # 16-15]
March 9, 2015

SEASONAL ICE PROCEDURES
RETURN TO ICE CONDITION 3

The Captain of the Port (COTP) Delaware Bay is notifying mariners that the Delaware Bay Captain of the Port zone has returned to Ice Condition 3. This includes the Delaware Bay and River, the C&D Canal, Cape May Harbor and Canal, and the ICW. This means that ice is melting and has been determined to no longer have the potential to impact commercial navigation. Mariners should remain alert for floating ice debris and be aware that some navigational aids may be off-station or damaged as a result of shifting ice formations. All masters, ship agents, owners and operators of all vessels, marine facilities and marinas should review and adhere to the following procedures for the Delaware River and C&D Canal:


• Only steel hull vessels may operate within the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal.
• The Salem River remains closed due to a potential threat to navigation.
• Vessels should be able to maneuver unassisted through the ice 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.
• Vessel sea chests should be checked regularly for ice buildup and precautions should be taken to ensure that the sea chests are kept clear.
• Vessels at anchor should ensure that proper bridge watches are stood at all times.
• Mariners are cautioned that buoys may become extinguished or dragged off station and minor lights and day beacons may become destroyed due to ice.
• The COTP Delaware Bay may establish additional requirements for specific geographic areas of the COTP Zone if conditions warrant such restrictions.

Please refer to our internet website for additional information regarding ice operations within the Sector Delaware Bay zone at http: www.uscg.mil/d5/sectDelawarebay. Updates to ice conditions can be heard by calling the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Ice Hotline at (215) 271-4995.

Mariners are also requested to keep the Coast Guard informed of any major ice developments, or discrepant Aids. If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin or the expectations of the COTP, please contact the Waterways Management staff at (215) 271-4889 or the Situation Unit Controller at (215) 271-4807.





K. MOORE
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay
View Attachment 1 (.PDF)