Due to ice in the C&D Canal, the Maryland and Delaware pilots are no longer able to board ships at Chesapeake City. Therefore, until the ice subsides, for eastbound sailings from Baltimore or westbound sailings from Philadelphia/Wilmington and Arrivals at Cape Henlopen 6 hours’ notice will be required for movements. The extra notice is necessary to bring a Delaware Pilot down to Baltimore or send a Maryland Pilot to Philadelphia/Delaware prior to the ship`s departure or arrival.

Thank you for your understanding as we deal with this operational challenge.

All ship traffic bound for terminals above the Delair Railroad Bridge are now daylight hours only due to ice conditions.

The maximum draft in the C&D Canal has been increased to 30’ 0”.

Per USCG: Sector Delaware Bay will be hosting a Port Coordination Meeting, January 23, 2026, at 11:00AM. This meeting is in response to the forecasted winter weather and possible waterway restrictions due to ice.

Below is the general agenda framework; we will take questions and provide answers as information becomes available.

Meeting agenda:

Call to Order (LCDR Owen Mims)

Opening Remarks (COTP)

Weather Update (NWS Forecast Office Philadelphia/Mt Holly)

Waterway Planning (LCDR Owen Mims)

MAC Update (Capt. Drew Hodgens)

Open forum questions

Closing Remarks (COTP)

Phone: 703-417-5678
Passcode: 527550573#

Thank you for your support and flexibility.

Delaware City. (As of 1/16/26). The Delaware City Channel draft is 28’ - 11” MHW with a 1’ under keel clearance .

Delaware City. (As of 12/15/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 29’-4” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

(Per: Monroe Energy) Soundings were performed at the ship and barge docks on 12/02/25. There are changes to both docks.

Ship dock:
- The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 29.0 feet (8.84 m)
- As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 28.0 feet (8.53 m)

Barge dock:
- The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 24 feet (7.32 m)
- As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 23 feet (7.01 m)

The hydrographic surveys for the ship and barge docks are attached.

Delaware City. (As of 11/10/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 28’-11” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Delaware Bay, has set a modified Port Condition WHISKEY due to the forecast of high winds in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area beginning within the next 12 hours. A thorough explanation of port conditions can be found under the Port Hurricane Contingency Plan tab at URL: https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-5/District-Units/Sector-Delaware-Bay/.

*Please see attachment for full text.

NAVY/MARINE CORPS HOMECOMING 250 MILITARY DEMOSTRATION -

Please be advised there is a crane barge spudded down in Philadelphia Harbor, directly across from Penn’s Landing. The barge will be at this location 24 hours a day through Monday afternoon in preparation for the Navy demonstrations this weekend. All mariners are requested to stay a safe distance away from the barge, and also maintain no wake when transiting past this location. There are navigation lights on the barge.
Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

Delaware City. (As of 10/7/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 28’-8” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

Please be advised that core sampling in the area of Bellevue and Cherry Island range will continue through the middle of the month of November.. The drill rig is on a small barge working close to the riverbank inshore of the pier ruins.

NO wake while passing this area is requested. The crew will be working daylight hours Monday through Friday only, but the barge will remain on site for the next month. The crew will also be working from small boats in the shallow water around the pier ruins.

Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

Navigation Notices: Please be advised that replacement of the American Water Delran, NJ intake pipes on the Torresdale Range has begun and is scheduled to continue through the end of the month of October. The operations are off a spudded deck barge. NO wake while passing this area is requested. The crew will be working daylight hours Monday through Friday only, but the barge will remain on site for the next month. Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

Please be advised that core sampling in the area of Bellevue and Cherry Island range will continue through the middle of the month of November.. The drill rig is on a small barge working close to the riverbank inshore of the pier ruins.

NO wake while passing this area is requested. The crew will be working daylight hours Monday through Friday only, but the barge will remain on site for the next month. The crew will also be working from small boats in the shallow water around the pier ruins.

Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

(Per Monroe Energy): Soundings were performed at the ship and barge docks on 09/12/25. There are changes to both docks.

Ship dock:
· The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 34.6 feet (10.55 m)
· As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 33.6 feet (10.24 m)


Barge dock:
· The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 26 feet (7.92 m)
· As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 25 feet (7.62 m)

The hydrographic surveys for the ship dock is attached.

Please be advised that core sampling in the area of Bellevue and Cherry Island range will continue through the end of the month of September. The drill rig is on a small barge working close to the riverbank inshore of the pier ruins.

A minimal wake while passing this area is requested. The crew will be working daylight hours Monday through Friday only, but the barge will remain on site for the next few weeks. The crew will also be working from small boats in the shallow water around the pier ruins.

Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

Delaware City. (As of 9/8/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 28’-5” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

Please be advised that core sampling in the area of Bellevue and Cherry Island range has started. The drill rig is on a small barge working close to the riverbank inshore of the pier ruins.

A minimal wake while passing this area is requested. The crew will be working daylight hours Monday through Friday only, but the barge will remain on site for the next few weeks. The crew will also be working from small boats in the shallow water around the pier ruins.

A second barge will be arriving to conduct boring operations in the same area closer to the channel. When that barge arrives, we will send another MAC alert.



Any questions regarding this request, contact Philadelphia Barge Co. @ 610-742-0299

Delaware City. (As of 8/11/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 28’- 4” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

Delaware City. (As of 7/2/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 28’-6” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

(Per Monroe Energy): Soundings were performed at the ship and barge docks on 06/06/25. There are changes to both docks.
Ship dock:The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 38 feet (11.58 m) As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 37 feet (11.28 m)

Barge dock: The current minimum depth referenced to the MLLW datum is 25 feet (7.62 m) As the terminal has a 1-foot under-keel clearance policy, the maximum allowable FW draft for all stages of the tide is 24 feet (7.32 m)

Delaware City. (As of 4/11/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 29’-0” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

(Per USACE): The US Army Corps has located an object on Cherry Island Range. Please see the photo below for the location. USACE is working on a plan for removal.

Delaware City. (As of 3/12/24). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 29’-4” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

(Per Monroe Energy): The post dredge dock soundings were performed at the ship and barge docks on 3/3/25. There are changes to the both docks.

Ship Dock: Current depth at the ship dock, referenced to the MLLW datum, changes to 40.0 (12.19 m). The terminal has a 1-foot minimum UKC requirement. The maximum allowable FW draft is 39.0’ (11.89 m).

Barge Dock: Current depth at the barge dock, referenced to the MLLW datum , changes to 25’00”. The terminal has a 1-foot minimum UKC requirement. The maximum allowable FW draft is 24’ 00”.

The hydrographic survey for the ship dock is attached.

As per USCG: the main navigation channel is open to all traffic. Vessels transiting on Deepwater Range should provide no wake when passing all impacted vessels from the fire.

As per USCG: The main navigation channel has been closed in the vicinity of Bulkhead Bar Range due to the tug/barge vessel Thor on fire. All marine traffic should stay below Pea Patch and above the Delaware Memorial Bridge until further notice.

Delaware City. (As of 2/7/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 29’-6” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.

(Per Monroe Energy): The post – dredge (Phase 1) dock sounding was performed at the ship dock on 1/31/25. Barge Dock remains the same.

Ship Dock: Current depth at the ship dock, referenced to the MLLW datum, changes to 33.0’ (10.02 m). The terminal has a 1-foot minimum UKC requirement. The maximum allowable FW draft is 32.0’ (9.75 m).

Barge Dock: Current depth at the barge dock, referenced to the MLLW datum , remains at 28’00”. The terminal has a 1-foot minimum UKC requirement. The maximum allowable FW draft is 27’ 00”.

The hydrographic survey for the ship dock is attached.

Delaware City. (As of 1/16/25). The new Delaware City Channel Draft is 29’-10” MHW with a 1 foot under keel clearance included.