MSIB 06-23

***Return to Normal Port Condition***

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay is notifying mariners that the port has secured from modified Port Condition WHISKEY and has returned to Normal Port Condition on the Delaware Bay and River, Cape May Harbor and Canal, and the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management staff at (215) 271-4889 or (267) 515-7294.

MSIB 06-23

Notice of Port Condition Whiskey (Modified)

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The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, has set a modified Port Condition WHISKEY due to the forecast of high winds in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area beginning within the next 12 hours. A thorough explanation of port conditions can be found under the local contingency plans tab on homeport at:
Port Directory Content (uscg.mil)

***Maintenance on St. Georges Bridge, C&D Canal***


Mariners are advised that an engineering firm, on behalf of USACE, will be performing maintenance on the St Georges Bridge, C&D Canal, mile 4.5, at St Georges, DE. To facilitate bridge work, the maintenance will be from March 1, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week through December 1, 2023. During work hours, a snooper will be located in and around the navigation channel reducing the vertical clearance by approximately 20 feet. Vessels who can safely transit through the reduced vertical clearance, may do so at any time. Mariners who need more than 115 feet of vertical clearance during work hours should notify the work foreman no less than 30 minutes prior to navigating through the bridge. The project foreman can be reached on VHF-FM channel 13 or (610) 842-5257. Mariners should use caution navigating through the area.

MSIB 04-23

End of Ice Season and Return to Normal Port Condition

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The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay is notifying mariners that the port has secured from Seasonal Ice Alert and has returned to Normal Port Condition in the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Canal, Delaware Canal, all existing tributaries, and the New Jersey and Delaware Shores. Ice formation is no longer favorable in the region. There are no navigational restrictions. Ice season has officially ended.

Questions regarding the contents of this bulletin or expectations of the Captain of the Port can be directed to (215) 271-4807 or (267) 515-7294.

MSIB 01-23 (Update 2)

PHILADELPHIA TO SEA MAINTENANCE DREDGING

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The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners that the Philadelphia to Sea Maintenance Dredging Project 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.

Coast Guard Investigative Service

MSIB 1-23

Reporting Sexual Misconduct on U.S. Vessels

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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.

MSIB 24-22

Winter Port Condition 1

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Winter Port Condition 1


The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay has set Winter Port Condition 1 for navigation on the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Canal, Delaware Canal, all existing tributaries, and the New Jersey and Delaware Shores. Winter Port Condition 1 means that the short-term forecast is favorable for the formation of ice on these waterways.

MSIB 21-22

SEASONAL ICE ALERT

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The Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay has set a Seasonal Ice Alert for navigation on the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Canal, Delaware Canal, all existing tributaries, and the New Jersey and Delaware Shores. Mariners observing any ice conditions are asked to report them using the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Ice Reporting Form located on the unit’s homeport website. The web address is:

MSIB 18-22

SPEED RESTRICTION IMPOSED TO PROTECT
NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES

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The Captain of the Port, 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 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.

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.

Report of Lost Anchor in Big Stone Anchorage

Sector Delaware Bay received a report that the flukes portion of an anchor broke free at the following lat/long position in the upper end of Big Stone Anchorage:
38°59.72`N; 75°13.32`W

See attached chart. Mariners are advised to use caution when anchoring in the vicinity.

HQ MSIB 02-21 CH-5

COVID-19 Safety Requirements in the Maritime Transportation System: Change-5
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Update
On April 18, 2022, the US District Court, Middle District of Florida, vacated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mandate for mask wear in airports, train stations, and other transportation hubs as well as on airplanes, buses, trains, and most other public conveyances in the United States, including vessels. Per this ruling, the CDC has declared that the mandate is no longer in effect. Federal agencies are reviewing the court’s decision. In the interim the Coast Guard will not enforce the directives requiring mask use on public transportation and in transportation hubs. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.
Vessel and sea port operators are encouraged to monitor the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/ for the most up to date guidance. The CDC has published an updated list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that can be found at Public Transportation. The Coast Guard has also published additional guidance that can be found at the FAQ web page.

MSIB 13-21 REQUEST FOR COMMENTS – NJ PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY

***SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL TEXT***


The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public regarding the New Jersey Port Access Route Study (PARS). On May 5, 2020, the Coast Guard published a notice of study and request for comments (85 FR 26695), announcing a PARS for the Seacoast of New Jersey Including Offshore Approaches to the Delaware Bay, Delaware. This notice announces the availability of a draft report for public review and comment. We seek your comments on the content, proposed routing measures, and development of the report. The recommendations of the study may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate international agreements.

CGHQ MSIB 13-20 Change 3

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The uninterrupted flow of commerce on our Marine Transportation System (MTS) is critical to both national security and national economic well-being. During this national emergency for COVID-19 it is paramount that the Coast Guard safeguards the continued operation of the MTS to ensure our domestic supply chain continues uninterrupted. The regulations outlined throughout 33 and 46 Code of Federal Regulations remain in force, and maritime operators are expected to continue to comply with these requirements. However, when compliance with these regulations cannot reasonably be met as a result of COVID-19, the Coast Guard will exercise flexibility to prevent undue delays. The following clarification is provided regarding the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®), which is jointly managed by the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA may grant a temporary exemption from certain requirements in 49 CFR part 1572 for the expiration of the TWIC for current cardholders. If this occurs the Coast Guard will take these exemptions into consideration.

U.S. Coast Guard District Five has received several sets of data from the Coast Guard`s Navigation Center in support of the Port Access Route Study: Seacoast of NJ including approaches to the Delaware Bay (PARS) including an analysis of current anchoring practices. The data has been posted on Sector Delaware Bay`s homeport page under the Waterways Management link and sublink titled "NJ PARS Information".

There, interested parties will find 4 sets of data:
1. NJ PARS Traffic Summary
2. NJ PARS Traffic Summary (including Addendum 2: VMS Data Analysis, pgs 143-212)
3. NJ PARS Anchorage Analysis
4. NJ PARS Tug and Tow Analysis (Addendum 3 to the Traffic Analysis)

https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=65940&Source=/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=65940

Any questions or comments on the data sets can be submitted to CAPT Maureen Kallgren, 757-398-6250 or Maureen.r.kallgren@uscg.mil

Thank you.

USCG HQ MSIB 19-20

***OPEN ATTACHMENT FOR FULL TEXT***

MALICIOUS EMAIL SPOOFING INCIDENTS

This Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) is intended to highlight several recent cyber events involving increasingly sophisticated malicious email spoofing techniques within the Marine Transportation System (MTS). The types of reported spoofing attacks included impersonating Coast Guard (uscg.mil) email addresses, and Coast Guard industry communications regarding Area Maritime Security Committee meetings. In one case, the opening of a malicious file caused a network compromise that resulted in additional spoofed emails that were sent to MTS port partners. These types of attacks have potential cascading consequences, and impacted organizations should immediately notify all affected stakeholders and local authorities. Coast Guard units along with Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities and vessels should be on high alert and remain vigilant for similar cyber threats within your areas of responsibility.

Sector Delaware Bay MSIB 18-20

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UPDATED SECTOR DELAWARE BAY NAVIGATION SAFETY EQUIPMENT DEVIATION REQUEST FORM

In an effort to improve response times and align with other Captain of the Port (COTP) zones, an updated Sector Delaware Bay Navigation Safety Equipment Deviation Request form, otherwise known as a Letter of Deviation request, is being released for use within the Delaware Bay COTP zone. Mariners are asked to use this updated form when requesting a deviation from navigation safety equipment requirements, per 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §164.55. As a reminder, making such a request does not relieve the vessel of the requirement to report inoperable equipment on a Notice of Arrival per 33 CFR §160.206.

USCG MSIB 05-20

Reporting Requirements for Vessels with Inoperable Navigation Equipment

U. S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay has noted an increase in the number of vessels failing to report inoperable navigation equipment prior to transiting through the Delaware Bay Captain of the Port (COTP) zone. As a reminder, all self-propelled vessels of 1600 or more gross tons when operating in the navigable waters of the United States are required to report inoperable navigation equipment as required by Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 164.

Non-operating equipment must be reported to each COTP zone which a vessel will transit through. For example, vessels transiting to and from Baltimore utilizing the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and passing through the Delaware Bay enroute to and from sea are required to report inoperable equipment to Sector Delaware Bay. A vessel is required to make this report regardless if they call upon a port or anchorage within the Delaware Bay or River. On a case-by-case basis, the COTP may impose restrictions (commonly known as a Letter of Deviation) on the vessel with inoperable equipment to ensure the safety of the port and vessel.

Submission of an Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA) does not meet the reporting requirement for inoperable equipment. Vessels are required per 33 CFR 164.53 to report inoperable navigation equipment including radar, radio navigation receivers, gyrocompass, echo depth sounding device, AIS, Electronic Position Fixing Device, ARPA, and primary steering gear.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin or to submit a request, please contact the Sector Delaware Bay Port State Control Division at (215) 271-4887 or SecDelBay.PortState@uscg.mil.




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