USCG MSIBs and Federal Register Notices: Delaware Main Channel Deepening Marcus Hook Anchorage No. 7 Safety Zone Until 2/28/18

The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners of an update to the current restrictions in Anchorage No. 7, Marcus Hook Anchorage, hereinafter referred to as “the anchorage.”

• MSIB 37-17 updated the restrictions on the anchorage due to temporary safety zones.
• MSIB 40-17 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).

• The submerged pipeline within the anchorage has been removed. 
• 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.  Please see page two of MSIB 40-17 for a chartlet showing working areas.
• The northern portion of the anchorage may now be used by two vessels greater than 650 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.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management Staff at (215) 271-4889/4814 or the Command Center at (215) 271-4807.