From COTP Sector Delaware Bay:

The Dredge CHARLESTON along with support equipment, tender boats Pusher 11, Duke and Captain Ed will commence dredging operations at Wilmington Harbor, Christiana River, DE or about August 1, 2017. A submerged pipeline will be placed from the dredging area to the Wilmington Harbor North Disposal area, just north of the port. The project is expected to continue until approximately September 5, 2017.

The Dredge Operator will standby on channels #13 and #16 VHF-FM. Traffic should call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage. For any emergencies the dredge operator can be reached at 757-373-5253.

All mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, booster, floating pipe, pontoon pipes and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that the dredge and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipelines, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment.

Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Since the project will be conducted twenty -four (24) hours per day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to the commencement of the work.