Marcus Hook Anchorage Vessel Reservations, Update

Vessel reservations for Marcus Hook Anchorage (Anchorage 7) are no longer required, please see MSIB 13-25.

Marcus Hook Anchorage will revert back to a 48-hour anchorage in accordance with, 33 Code of Federal Regulations(CFR) 110.157(b)(2). All vessels expecting to be at anchor for longer than 48 hours must submit a request to Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.

MSIB 13-25 PHILADELPHIA TO SEA MAINTENANCE DREDGING, Update

The Captain of the Port, Sector Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners that the Philadelphia to Sea Maintenance Dredging has completed dredging operations in Marcus Hook Range and Marcus Hook Anchorage (No. 7) on the Delaware River. Safety zone one and Safety zone two are hereby cancelled.

Traffic patterns are returned to normal. All restrictions related to dredging operations in Marcus Hook Anchorage (No. 7) have been removed.

*Please see the attachment for the full text.

MSIB 10-25 Ship to Ship Transfer and Lightering Operations

MSIB 06-16, titled Advance Notice / Request for Lightering is here by cancelled.

Applicable vessels can reference 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 156, Subpart A for requirements for Oil and Hazardous Material Transfer Operations.

*Please see the attachment for the full text.

MSIB 08-25 Use of Engine/Shaft Power Limiters in Pilotage Waters

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay has observed an increase in vessels entering the Captain of the Port (COTP)
Zone with Engine Power Limiters (EPLs) or Shaft Power Limiters (ShaPoLis). Inspections have revealed inconsistencies
in their implementation under international standards, necessitating clarification.

*Please read the attachment for the full text.

MSIB 13-24 SPEED RESTRICTION IMPOSED TO PROTECT NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES

The Captain of the Port, Sector Delaware Bay advises all vessels transiting the Mid-Atlantic Ocean that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has established regulations which implement a 10 knot or less over ground speed restriction for all vessels 65 ft (19.8 m) or greater in specified locations (called Seasonal Management Areas or SMAs) during certain times of the year along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. These regulations are designed to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales by reducing the likelihood of collisions between ships and whales.

Please see the attachment for the full text.

MSIB 12-24 Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

This bulletin announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists as part of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders beginning on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the CG Navigation Center’s LNM site.

Sector Delaware Bay Coast Guard has updated the foreign vessel arrivals (VDO) number to (445)-444-1535. This number is utilized Monday thru Friday from 0730 till 1600. Continue to contact the Command Center after hours or for emergency purposes.

***Cherry Island Range - Submerged Objects***

There are two submerged objects in Cherry Island Range on the Delaware River. The submerged objects were discovered during survey operations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The first submerged object is 60 feet inside the green toe of the navigational channel. In approximate position latitude 39°43`08.5"N, longitude 75°30`27.7"W, at a depth of 42.5 feet mean low low water. The second submerged object is 55 feet from the centerline of the navigational channel. In approximate position latitude 39°42`52.8"N, longitude 75°30`28.5"W, at a depth of 43.3 feet mean low low water. Mariners are advised to use caution when navigating this area.

Please see the attachment for a chartlet of each submerged object.

Coast Guard Investigative Service

MSIB 1-23

Reporting Sexual Misconduct on U.S. Vessels

***See attachment for full text***

Sexual misconduct that occurs onboard U.S. flagged vessels harms mariners, interrupts safe operations, and often leads to accidents, lost careers, and a lifetime of trauma for the survivors who endure the abuse. The Coast Guard is committed to investigating and pursuing appropriate enforcement actions for all reports of sexual misconduct on U.S. flagged vessels. This MSIB supersedes the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy’s MSIB 11-21 “Reporting Sexual Assaults on U.S. Vessels” issued on December 16, 2021.

NEW ESTABLISHED ANCHORAGE GROUNDS,
DELAWARE BAY


The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners of the amended anchorage regulations, specifically 33 CFR 110.157, paragraphs (a)(18)-(20) for the Delaware Bay and River, and adjacent waters, which established two offshore deep-water anchorages. The establishment of these two anchorages is to improve navigation safety by accommodating recent and anticipated future growth in vessel size and the volume of vessel traffic entering the Delaware Bay and River, and to preserve areas traditionally used or needed for anchoring.