MSIB 40-17
Pipeline Removal Marcus Hook Anchorage and Range (Update 2)

The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners of a safety zone established in the southern portion of the Marcus Hook Anchorage and Range on the Delaware River to facilitate dive operations and pipeline removal.

• The safety zone began November 21, 2017 and will continue through February 28, 2017, unless cancelled earlier by the COTP. Work will be conducted between the hours of 5:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. daily.

• The crane barge KELLY and towing vessel JOKER will be on scene and assisting with the work.

• There are three sections of pipeline located in the area. All three sections of pipeline will be removed.

• Removal of section #1, as noted on the attached drawing, began on November 28, 2017. Removal of Section #1 will continue to require working vessels to obstruct the main navigational channel of the Delaware River. Subsequently, all vessel traffic will be required to utilize the Marcus Hook Anchorage, Anchorage No. 7, in order to safely transit around the dive operations and pipeline removal. A Marine Safety Information Bulletin and Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be issued in order to inform the public when work transitions from the main navigational channel to the anchorage.

• Sections #2 and #3 will be conducted at a later time during this safety zone. Further information regarding sections #2 and #3 will be published in an additional MSIB, Local Notice to Mariners, and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

• Mariners are requested to maintain the minimum safe speed to maintain steerage and maintain strict adherence to the rules of the road.

The safety zone is established in all navigable waters within 250 yards of the crane barge KELLY, towing vessel JOKER, and associated diving and pipeline removal equipment.

Vessels requesting to transit the safety zone shall contact the towing vessel JOKER on VHF-FM channel 13 or 80, at least 1 hour, as well as 30 minutes prior to arrival to arrange safe passage. Vessels may also contact the COTP for permission to enter or transit the safety zone on VHF-FM channel 16.

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.




S. E. Anderson
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay