Port Update

Philadelphia, PA / Delaware River & Bay

February 16, 2024

Notices

Moran Shipping Agencies in Port Philadelphia / Wilmington, De.  
 
Port MARSEC Level 1
 
Local Time – GMT -5
 
 
Maritime Operations Committee
Maritime Exchange Navigation Group
The Maritime Exchange is forwarding the following USCG MSIB for your information.  
MSIB 03-24 PHILADELPHIA TO SEA MAINTENANCE DREDGING (UPDATE 1)
The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, is notifying mariners of maintenance dredging being conducted in Marcus Hook Range and Marcus Hook Anchorage (No. 7) on the Delaware River from February 4, 2024 through approximately April 30, 2024.
Safety zone one includes all the waters within a 250 yard radius of all associated dredge equipment operating in or around Marcus Hook Range.
Safety zone two includes all the waters of Marcus Hook Anchorage (No. 7) found in 33 CFR 110.157 (a) (8).
Vessels wishing to transit through safety zones one and/or two may do so if they can make satisfactory passing arrangements with the dredge CHARLESTON, in accordance with the Inland Navigational Rules in 33 Code of Federal Regulations Subchapter E via VHF-FM channel 13 or 16 at least one hour prior to arrival.
Vessels desiring to anchor within Marcus Hook Anchorage must obtain permission from the COTP at least 24 hours in advance, at 215-271-4807. The COTP will permit one vessel at a time on a “first come, first served” basis in the upper portion of the anchorage, with preference given to those vessels greater than 650’ in overall length. The maritime public will be notified of any changes to vessel traffic patterns or availability of Marcus Hook Anchorage via subsequent updates to this MSIB and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
Normally, Marcus Hook Anchorage is a 48-hour anchorage; however, vessels will not be permitted to occupy the anchorage beyond 12 hours during this time.
Vessels that require an examination by the Public Health Service, Customs or Immigration authorities will be directed to an anchorage for the required inspection by the COTP. Vessels are encouraged to use Mantua Creek Anchorage (No. 9), Naval Base, Philadelphia Anchorage (No. 10), and Deepwater Point Anchorage (No. 6) as alternatives.
If there are any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin or expectations of the Captain of the Port, please contact (215) 271-4807.
 
 
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
0625 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
ANZ454-171125-
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
0625 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Atlantic coastal waters
adjacent to the mouth of Delaware Bay out 20 nm.
 
.DAY ONE...Through tonight.
 
Gale-force winds and/or very rough seas are forecast.
 
Please go to weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=phi for more information on potential weather hazards.
 
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.
 
The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.
 
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
 
Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.
 
 
 
Gale Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
219 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
ANZ454-455-161500-
/O.CON.KPHI.GL.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240216T1500Z/
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm-
219 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS MORNING...
 
* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and
  seas 3 to 5 ft.
 
* WHERE...Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE
  out 20 nm and Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick
  Island DE out 20 nm.
 
* WHEN...Until 10 AM EST this morning.
 
* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could
  capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
 
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for severe conditions.

Draft information
37’ - 40’ outbound from Packer Avenue including Beckett Street 
- Use reference station Philadelphia. 
- Vessels may sail 3 hours before low water and up until 1.5 hours after low water at Philadelphia. 
37’ - 40’ outbound from Paulsboro
- Please use reference station Marcus Hook. 
- Vessels may sail from Paulsboro 1 hour before low water up until 3 hours after low water at Marcus Hook. 
37’ - 40’ outbound from Marcus Hook (anchorage or berth)
- Please use reference station Marcus Hook.

Weather / Marine Zone Forecast

Marine Weather
 
ANZ400-170100-
702 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
 
 .SYNOPSIS FOR THE COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK NJ TO FENWICK
ISLAND DE AND FOR DELAWARE BAY...
High pressure will briefly build across the region today. A
quick moving low pressure system then crosses the region
tonight into Saturday, followed by high pressure building to our
south Sunday into Monday. A cold front may settle into our area
Monday into Tuesday, then high pressure arrives Wednesday. Low
pressure may then approach from the west during Thursday.
 
 $$
 
 
 
 
 ANZ454-170100-
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
702 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
 
 GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS MORNING
 
 
TODAY
NW winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt, diminishing
to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. NW swell
2 to 5 ft at 4 seconds.
 
TONIGHT
N winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas
2 to 3 ft. NW swell around 2 ft at 4 seconds in the evening,
becoming light. Snow after midnight with vsby 1 to 3 NM.
 
SAT
N winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW 15 to 20 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. NE swell around 2 ft at 2 seconds,
becoming NW 2 to 4 ft at 4 seconds in the afternoon. Snow showers
likely with a chance of showers in the morning with vsby 1 to
3 NM.
 
SAT NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 20 kt, diminishing to 10 to 15 kt
after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. NW swell 2 to 5 ft at 4 seconds.
 
SUN
SW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas 2 to
4 ft. W swell 2 to 4 ft at 3 seconds.
 
SUN NIGHT
W winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. SW swell 2 to
3 ft at 3 seconds.
 
MON
NW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming N after midnight. Seas
around 2 ft, then 1 foot or less.
 
TUE
NE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E. Waves around 2 ft or
less, then around 2 ft. 

 
 
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Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.

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