PHILADELPHIA TO SEA DREDGING MAINTENANCE AND DEEPENING PROJECT
Update 3

***CHANGES ARE IN BOLD FONT***

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners that the Coast Guard is establishing three safety zones to facilitate the Philadelphia to Sea Dredging Maintenance and Deepening Projects. These operations will be conducted in the Delaware River from January 12, 2020 through March 15, 2020. Operations will be conducted in Marcus Hook Range and Marcus Hook Anchorage (No. 7).

Safety zone one *Active* includes all the waters within a 250 yard radius of the dredge ESSEX and all associated dredge equipment operating in or around Marcus Hook Range.

Safety zone two *Active* includes all the waters of Marcus Hook Anchorage No. 7 found in 33 CFR 110.157 (a) (8).

Safety zone three *Active* includes all waters of the Delaware River within 500 yards of the drill boat APACHE and the dredge NEW YORK.

Vessels wishing to transit through safety zones one and two may do so if they can make satisfactory passing arrangements with the dredge ESSEX, in accordance with the Navigational Rules in 22 Code of Federal Regulations Subchapter E via VHF-FM channel 13 at least 1 hour prior to arrival.

Vessels desiring to anchor within Marcus Hook anchorage must obtain permission from the COTP at least 24 hours in advance, at (215) 271-4807. The COTP will permit two vessels at a time in Marcus Hook anchorage on a "first-come, first-served" basis. One vessel may utilize the extreme northernmost portion of the anchorage while a second vessel may utilize the extreme southernmost portion of the anchorage. The maritime public will be notified of any changes to vessel traffic patterns or availability of Marcus Hook Anchorage No. 7 via subsequent updates to this MSIB and Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Normally, this is a 48 hour anchorage; however, vessels will not be permitted to occupy the anchorage beyond 12 hours during this time. Vessels that require an examination by the Public Health Service, Customs or Immigration authorities will be directed to an anchorage for the required inspection by the COTP. Vessels are encouraged to use Mantua Creek Anchorage (anchorage #9), Naval Base, Philadelphia Anchorage (anchorage #10), and Deepwater Point Anchorage (anchorage #6) as alternatives.

Vessels wishing to transit through safety zone three may do so if they can make satisfactory passing arrangements with the drill boat APACHE or dredge NEW YORK, in accordance with the Navigational Rules in 22 Code of Federal Regulations Subchapter E via VHF-FM channel 13 at least 1 hour prior to arrival.

Rock blasting will be conducted via explosive detonations by the drill boat APACHE intermittently from sunrise through sunset, daily. No vessels may transit through safety zone three during times of explosive detonation. During rock blasting operations, vessels will be required to maintain a 500 yard distance from the drill boat APACHE. The drill boat APACHE will make broadcasts, via VHF-FM Channel 13 and 16, at 2 hours, 1 hour, 15 minutes, 5 minutes, and 1 minute prior to detonation, as well as a countdown to detonation via VHF-FM 16. After every explosive detonation, a survey will be conducted to ensure the navigational channel is clear for vessels to transit. The drill boat APACHE will make broadcasts, via VHF-FM channel 13 and 16, confirming when the channel is clear to transit. Vessels requesting to transit through safety zone three shall proceed as directed by the designated representative of the COTP and shall contact the drill boat APACHE on VHF-FM channel 13 for safe passing information.

The maritime public will be notified of any changes to vessel traffic patterns or availability of Marcus Hook Anchorage No. 7 via subsequent updates to this MSIB and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management staff at (215) 271-4889 or the Situation Unit Controller at (215) 271-4807.





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