SECTOR COMMANDER
U.S. COAST GUARD
SECTOR DELAWARE BAY
1 WASHINGTON AVE.
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19147
TEL: (215) 271-4940
FAX: (215) 271-4833

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN

[MSIB #33-15]

September 18, 2015

Potential Impacts to Marine Transportation System – Papal visit

The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners that vessel traffic transiting the Delaware River and Schuylkill River, in vicinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 25, 2015 to September 28, 2015 will likely experience delays. (See previous MSIBs regarding Security Zones).

As a preventative measure, we ask maritime stakeholders in the region, ranging from large vessels to uninspected passenger vessels, to provide advanced notification and to engage with our Papal Visit Maritime Operations Center’s (MOC) and the Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit (MTSRU), well in advance of anticipated vessel transits between September 25th and 28th. The MTSRU can be reached at secdelbaymtsru@uscg.mil or 267-515-7294.

It is likely that the influx of Papal visit attendees to the area will increase local traffic on both the roads and waterways in the area and may increase security concerns. Facility and vessel operators are requested to maintain proper vigilance, and report any suspicious activity to the Sector Intel Branch at (215) 271-4999.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin please contact the Waterways Management staff at (215) 271-4814 or the MOC Situation Unit Controller at (215) 271-4807.






B. A. COOPER
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay