MSIB 03-25 Winter Port Condition Two

 

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Delaware Bay has set Winter Port Condition Two due to the formation of ice of appreciable thickness and coverage in the navigable waters of the Delaware Bay and River, Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal, Cape May Harbor and Canal, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, and Delaware Shore.

 

Members of the port community should take adequate precautions and adhere to the seasonal ice procedures below:

• Vessel sea chests should be checked regularly for ice buildup and precautions should be taken to ensure that the sea chests are kept clear.

• 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 and 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, Sector Delaware Bay may set ice conditions for any safety zone listed in the regulations described in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 165.550, requiring vessels to meet those restrictions. Vessels must have the proper hull type and an adequate propulsion system meeting the minimum horsepower requirements imposed.

Mariners observing any ice conditions are asked to report them. Mariners can utilize the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Ice Reporting Form located on the unit’s Homeport website detailed below, or by contacting the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center on VHF radio channel 16 or call (215) 271-4807.

https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=76018&Source=/Lists/Content/Dispform.aspx?ID=76018

 

Additionally, mariners can utilize the QR code below to report ice conditions and submit a photo of the observed conditions.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management staff at (206) 815-6688, option 3.