Ice Warning Issued on the Delaware River

MarineLink.com January 23, 2014

The Captain of the Port (COTP) Delaware Bay is notifying mariners that Ice Condition II has been set. This means there have been reports of ice formation that may impact navigation throughout the COTP zone.

All masters, ship agents and owners and operators of vessels, marine facilities and marinas should review and adhere to the following Ice Condition II procedures for the Delaware River and its tributaries, the Delaware Bay, and New Jersey and Delaware coasts:

Only steel hull vessels may operate north of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, in the Schuylkill Rover, in the Salem River, and within the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal.
Vessels should be able to maneuver unassisted through the ice without needing to stop, back off and ram the ice.
Vessel moorings should be checked frequently to ensure the vessel is adequatley moored.
Vessels at anchor should maintain their engines on standby at all time when ice is present.
Vessel sea chests should be checked regularly for ice buildup and precautions should be taken to ensure that the sea chests are kept clear.
Vessels at anchor should ensure that proper bridge watches are stood at all times.
The COTP Delaware Bay may establish additional requirements for specific geographic areas of the COTP Zone if conditions warrant such restrictions.

Updates to ice conditions can be heard by calling the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bat Ice Hotline at (215) 271 4995.

Mariners are also requested to keep the Coast Guard informed of any major ice developments.