PHILADELPHIA TO SEA DREDGING MAINTENANCE PROJECT

CONTINUATION OF DREDGING IN NEW CASTLE RANGE, CHERRY ISLAND RANGE, AND CHRISTINIA RIVER INCLUDING PEA PATCH ISLAND ANCHORAGE SAFETY ZONE FOR NEW CASTLE DREDGING

The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners that the maintenance dredging operations for the Delaware River will resume in New Castle Range, and then continue to Cherry Island Range and the Christina River. The tentative schedule is as follows:

New Castle Range – October 4, 2017 to November 4, 2017
Cherry Island – October 7, 2017 to December 31, 2017
Christiana River – November 26, 2017 to January 10, 2018

* Dates are subject to change.

The dredge ILLINOIS will continue to have pipeline in Anchorage 5, southeast of Pea Patch Island, through approximately November 4, 2017. The following safety zones will be in place during this time.

Safety zone 1 includes all navigable waters within a 150 yard radius of the dredge ILLINOIS and all related dredge equipment. Vessels are advised to ensure safe passage by contacting the dredge ILLINOIS on VHF-FM channel 07 or 13 one hour, as well as 30 minutes, prior to arrival. This safety zone will be in place for the duration of the dredging project.

Safety zone 2 includes all navigable waters of Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 found in 33 CFR 110.157 (a) (6), where submerged pipeline will be located causing a hazard to anchoring vessels. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless vessels obtain permission from the Captain of the Port per this rule and the Rules of the Road (33 C.F.R. Subchapter E).

Mariners are cautioned to remain a safe distance away from the dredge, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires, and related equipment. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution and operate at a minimum steerage speed to reduce wake when transiting the area.

Any questions should be directed to the Coast Guard Command Center at (215) 271-4807 or VHF-FM channel 16.



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