February 25, 2026
Ice Condition Update
Due to warmer temperatures, The Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Delaware Bay has amended the Ice
Condition for the Upper Delaware River and New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. Please see the current
restrictions that are in effect for the following areas, in accordance with the safety zones, identified in Title 33,
Code of Federal Regulations, Part 165.550.
Upper Delaware River
The COTP, Sector Delaware Bay has set Ice Condition One for all navigable waters of the Upper Delaware River,
north of the Betsy Ross Bridge.
The following restrictions are in effect: only steel hull vessels may enter, operate in, or transit the Upper Delaware
River.
Delaware River
There are no Ice Condition restrictions for all navigable waters of the Delaware River, south of the Betsy Ross
Bridge to Artificial Island, in New Jersey, including the navigable waters of the Schuylkill River, Salem River,
and Christina River.
Delaware Bay
There are no Ice Condition restrictions for all waters of the Delaware Bay, south of Artificial Island to the
entrance of the Delaware Bay.
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D) Canal
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has lifted all ice related restrictions for the C&D Canal. The canal dispatcher
on duty should be contacted regarding conditions and requirements for vessels using the C&D Canal at (410) 885-
5580.
New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway
The COTP, Sector Delaware Bay has set Ice Condition One for all waters of the New Jersey Intracoastal
Waterway, including all tributaries.
The following restrictions are in effect: only steel hull vessels may enter, operate in, Qr transit through the New
Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, including all tributaries.
Contact Information
Vessels prohibited from transiting an area listed above, may request permission to transit, a minimum of 24-hours
prior to the transit, by contacting the COTP, Sector Delaware Bay via email delawarebaywwm@uscg.mil, or via
phone at (833) 453-1007.
All requests must include the following information when requesting permission to transit:
- Hull type
- Main engine cooling system type
- Transit speed
- Date and time of transit
- Planned precautions being taken for encounters with ice
This Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) supersedes MSIB 10-26.
Additionally, mariners can utilize the QR code below to report ice conditions and submit a photo of the observed
conditions.
If there are any questions regarding the information of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management
Division at (206) 815-6688, option 3.