STATE OF DELAWARE

Coast Guard Participates in Joint Pollution Response Exercise

The U.S. Coast Guard and the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in cooperation with TSAKOS Shipping, Sunoco, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and The O'Brien's Group are scheduled to conduct a joint pollution response exercise June 27 - 29. The objective of the joint pollution response operations is to exercise the Area Contingency Plan and other industry plans that would be utilized during an incident at the Big Stone Anchorage in the Delaware Bay. TSAKOS Shipping, a leading worldwide marine transportation company, and Sunoco have volunteered to sponsor the exercise. TSAKOS Shipping is currently involved in transporting oil to Sunoco facilities on the Delaware River. The joint response exercise will include a tabletop exercise involving approximately 100 federal, state, local and private responders from the local area.

Derecktor Delivers Fisheries Research Vessel

The State of Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife took delivery of “First State” to replace their current Fisheries Research Vessel, a hundred-year -old converted wooden sailboat. The new 62 ft. (19 m), designed by Nigel Gee & Associates, has been built by Derecktor in aluminum with a hard chine hull. The resiliently mounted pilot house provides exceptionally low noise levels. Behind the house, the ample aft deck has been fitted with swinging A-Frame and cargo boom, net reel, trawl winches,

East Coast: Delaware Bay: A Private Vessel Traffic & Information Service

The Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware operates one of the few private vessel traffic and information services (VTIS) in the world. The approach to the Delaware Bay consists of three traffic separation schemes (TSS), and an unofficial offshore anchorage. The bottom's natural contours allow vessels with drafts up to 55 ft. to enter the Bay. The dredged channel leading to the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia can handle ships with drafts up to 40 ft

Delaware Bay – Security Zone Proposed

The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to establish a security zone around escorted passenger vessels operating on waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and adjacent waters of the Atlantic Ocean within 12 nautical miles of the entrance to Delaware Bay. Other vessels would be required to operate at minimum speed when within 500 yards of escorted passenger vessels and would be prohibited from coming within 100 yards of such vessels

Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project Justified

After an economic reanalysis, the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced that Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project is justified for construction. The conclusion of the reanalysis is that the project will yield a net benefit of $1.18 for every $1 spent on the project. Maj. Gen. Robert Griffin, director of Civil Works for USACE, said, "Our comprehensive economic reanalysis shows that the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project is a sound investment for the nation.

Deleware Bay Oil Spill Update

The Unified Command continues to oversee the recovery and clean-up operations of oil spilled in the upper Delaware Bay last Tuesday. Over the weekend, shoreline crews and assessment teams worked to clean up Delaware shorelines affected in Port Mahon, Pickering Beach and Kelly Island as well as Gandy's Beach in New Jersey. State and local officials also worked to identify additional areas impacted by the spill. Shoreline assessment crews today are focusing on areas from Kitts Hummock

DNREC Denies BP's Crown Landing Proposed LNG Pier

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary John A. Hughes has determined that the proposed LNG off-loading pier in the Delaware River is prohibited by the State’s Coastal Zone Act. The decision is in response to the Dec. 7, 2004 application of Crown Landing LLC to ascertain if a new pier facility to transfer liquefied natural gas (LNG) from ships in the Delaware River to storage tanks in New Jersey is allowable under the Coastal Zone Act.

Rochford Lauds Decision to Move Ahead on Channel Deepening Project

Governors Ed Rendell and Jon Corzine are to be commended for reaching an agreement to move forward on the Delaware River Main Channel (45-ft.) Deepening Project. This accomplishment is expected to propel regional port development and allow all Delaware River port facilities to competitively attract the emerging class of larger cargo vessels. Because of growing congestion problems experienced by West Coast ports, the reality today is that ocean carriers operating in the trans-pacific route

Active Cleanup Complete from Delaware Bay Oil Spill

On May 11, the Unified Command determined that responders have achieved pre-established oil spill clean up standards, and that active cleanup measures are complete. Although the active cleanup has been completed, a monitoring plan has been implemented in the event that any further oil is sighted. The Unified Command includes the Coast Guard, environmental representatives from Delaware, New Jersey and The O'Brien's Group.

Dougherty Appointed to Delaware River

Port Authority of PA and New Jersey Pennslyvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced his appointment of John J. Dougherty to the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (DRPA). Governor Rendell, DRPA's chairman, appointed Dougherty to a five-year term. DRPA is a regional transportation and economic development agency that serves southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. The Authority owns