Dredging Operations Prolonged on Delaware River
The safety zone around dredging operations in Marcus Hook Range in the Delaware River remains in effect until on or about February 28, 2014. The Dredge ESSEX has transitioned to the downriver portion of Marcus Hook Range, south of the Sunoco Marcus Hook Refinery, to complete dredging operations. The safety zone includes all waters within a 150 yards radius of the Dredge ESSEX and all related dredging equipment. Vessels requesting to transit Marcus Hook Range shall contact the Dredge ESSEX on VHF channel 13 or 16, 30 minutes prior to arrival. Vessels shall then transit around the dredge project, utilizing the downriver portion of the Marcus Hook Anchorage below Sunoco Marcus Hook Refinery, while operating at the minimum safe speed necessary to maintain steerage and reduce wake.
PA Governor Calls Delaware River Dredging Project a Milestone
Governor Edward G. Rendell hailed the signing of a historic agreement that will officially begin a five-year, $379 million project to deepen the ’s shipping channel, calling it a major milestone in ongoing efforts to expand commerce and enhance economic development in the region. The partnership agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) represents a significant step forward in a 15-year effort to deepen the river’s shipping channel. The agreement was signed by Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley Jr. and PRPA Chairman John H. Estey. “I consider this to be the most important project in the history of the ,” said Governor Rendell.
Delaware River Spill Update
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientific support team has projected that tar balls and scattered patches of oil could be washing ashore at anytime along the northern Atlantic shoreline of Delaware and the southern Atlantic shoreline of New Jersey. Patches of oil have been seen from the Tacony Palymyra Bridge to south of Smyrna River on the Delaware River. Tar balls were also found yesterday in the C&D Canal in Maryland. Residents of these areas can expect to see tar balls, but not in high numbers. The ATHOS I has been temporarily moved to the Marcus Hook Anchorage. It's next destination will be a graving dock at the Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia to repair the holes in the hull.
