Sandy Hook Pilots Warn of NY Channel Depth Restrictions
The Army Corps has informed the Pilots that maintenance dredging in the Arthur Kill has been only partially completed and that the previously shoaled areas in and adjacent to Port Socony and Port Reading Reaches have not yet been returned to full project depth. Based upon dredging completed thus far Sandy Hook Pilots are able to modify the restrictions on draft previously announced in September 2013. For vessels due to transit the waters from south of Motiva and/or Woodbridge Creek in the Arthur Kill to north of Tufts Point, or vice versa, the maximum draft will be 32' at low water and 36'6" at high water. Pilots advise that the Sandy Hook Channel Start-in and Sailing Guidelines should be used by reducing available draft by one(1') foot if transiting through that area.
Coast Guard Updates Oil Spill Response
A Unified Incident Command (UIC) comprised of Chevron Products Co., the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) continues to respond to a crude oil spill in the Arthur Kill. • The portion of the Arthur Kill north of Woodbridge Creek has been reopened to traffic. • The total volume of the crude oil spilled is estimated to be approximately 31,000 gallons. • Chevron is managing the spill response with oversight from regulatory agencies represented within the UIC. The UIC is also coordinating with other key stakeholders in the area.
