Local Knowledge

Question 1

About 0.5 miles South from the tip of Cape Henlopen is a:______

Answer 1

Visual reporting station and radio control point for the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange.

Question 2

All vessels arriving with a fresh water draft in excess of 37 ft. are to transit_______

Answer 2

All vessels arriving with a fresh water draft in excess of 37 ft. are to transit with the flood current only.

Question 3

All vessels over____beam and having a
fresh water draft in excess of ______ must transit on the flood tide only.

Answer 3

All vessels with over 106 foot beam and having a fresh water draft in excess of 35 feet 6 inches must transit on the flood tide only.

Question 4

The Delaware Bay is_____

Answer 4

A large, open bay that is subject to confusing, and sometimes dangerous sea and swell conditions due to a large fetch, strong currents, and numerous shoals.

Question 5

Describe Cape May Light

Answer 5

A flashing white light every 15 seconds from a white tower with red cupola. Height is 165 feet and the nominal range is 24 miles. There are 2 white dwellings nearby.

Question 6

Describe the Traffic Separation Scheme.

Answer 6

Ch 6, USCP 3. The scheme is composed basically of directed traffic areas each with one-way inbound and outbound traffic lanes separated by defined separation zones, a precautionary area and a pilot boarding area. The scheme is recommended for use by vessels approaching or departing Delaware Bay but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows or other small vessels that traditionally operate outside of the primary traffic lanes or close inshore.

Question 7

Does a vessel anchored in Anchorage “A” require a permit to stay anchored for more than 48 hours?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

How many hours prior to arrival does a vessel with dangerous cargo need to contact the Captain of the Port?

Answer 8

At least 72 hours before the vessel enters or leaves the Regulated Navigation Area.

Question 9

If a vessel with dangerous cargo is underway and the visibility becomes less than 2 miles, the vessel
must_________

Answer 9

seek safe anchorage and notify the Captain of The Port immediately

Question 10

In what seasons do you expect fog?

Answer 10

Winter & spring; most frequent Apr-Jun

Question 11

The maximum salt water draft for entrance into Delaware Bay and Big Stone Anchorage is

Answer 11

55ft

Question 12

The shoals off Cape May are mixed
_____and______

Answer 12

Clay and sand

Question 13

True or False
Water backs up the Delaware River due to strong South or South Easterly wind.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

A Vessel carrying Dangerous cargo must not enter, get or remain underway within the Regulated Navigation Area if visibility is or expected to be less than_______.

Answer 14

2 miles.

Question 15

What are the vessel reporting points for the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange?

Answer 15

1) anchoring
2) getting underway
3) passing through Marcus Hook
4) exiting or entering the C&D Canal
5) making fast to the dock
Tugs operating w/o barge are exempt. Tugs w/ barges are requested to report to the Exchange when anchoring and leaving all anchorages.

Question 16

What conditions develop due to long, sustained North Westerly winds?

Answer 16

Lower than predicted Low Tides may occur in Delaware Bay and River.

Question 17

What is the average speed and direction of the current at Brandywine (South of)?

Answer 17

Flood 1.5 @ 330 Ebb 1.4 @ 153
on of ½ Question asks for “South” but that station doesn’t exist.
“0.5 nm west of” used for this answer because it’s the primary station.

Question 18

What is the average speed and direction of the current at Delaware Bay Entrance?

Answer 18

Flood 1.4 @ 327 Ebb 1.3 @ 147

Question 19

What is the dividing line between the Delaware Bay and River?

Answer 19

The arbitrary dividing line, 42 miles above the Delaware Capes, extends from Liston Point, DE, to Hope Creek, NJ.

Question 20

What is the maximum time allowed to stay anchored without permission of the COTP?

Answer 20

48 hours except in the case of Anchorage
“A” in which there is no time limit.

Question 21

What is the Mean Range of Tide at Lewes
(Breakwater Harbor)

Answer 21

By tide table Table 2 the answer is 4.08 ft.
By Coast Pilot, Chap. 6 the answer is 4.0 ft.

Question 22

What is the NOAA Weather Radio Frequency in Lewes, Delaware?

Answer 22

KXJ-94 NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts on Channel 1 at 162.550 MHz from Lewes, DE

Question 23

What is the predominant wind in the Summer?

Answer 23

Southerlies

Question 24

What is the predominant wind in the Winter?

Answer 24

North West

Question 25

When are the scheduled weather broadcasts from Atlantic City Coast Guard? (CG still asks about Cape May CG)

Answer 25

NMK Atlantic City (formerly CM), has regularly scheduled weather broadcasts at 0603 and 1803 local time every day on VHF-FM channel 22 Alpha and 2670 KHz Single Sideband

Question 26

When must 2 or more anchors be used?

Answer 26

When, in the opinion of the Captain of the Port, such action may be necessary.

Question 27

When must the steering compartment be manned?

Answer 27

Whenever the vessel is undervay within the RNA unless the vessel has 2 separate and independent steering control systems with duplicate pilot house steering gear control sytems.

Question 28

Where does ice pack on this route?

Answer 28

In ordinary Winters there is usually enough ice to be of some concern to navigation. The ice usually packs heavier than elsewhere at Ship John Shoal, at Pea Patch Island, at Deepwater Point and below Gloucester City

Question 29

Where do vessels carrying dangerous cargo not want to meet?

Answer 29

Meeting situations shall be avoided on river bends to thermaximum extent possible.

Question 30

Who has supervision over the anchoring of vessels and overall cargo transfer operations in Anchorage “A”?

Answer 30

Captain of the Port - Philadelphia

Question 31

With regards to vessels underway and carrying dangerous cargoes, no vessel may approach closer than___________

Answer 31

500 yards to either side or 1000 yards to the bow or stern, without permission from the Captain of The Port.

Question 32

Cape May Channel is:

Answer 32

An unmarked passage between shoals 1 mile SW of the cape.

Question 33

Choppy seas form on the Delaware Bay when:

Answer 33

The wind and tidal currents are contrary.

Question 34

North Atlantic right whales may occur:

Answer 34

> Within 30 miles of Delaware coast in the approaches to Delaware Bay, peak season Nov-Apr

Question 35

Commercial vessels transiting the main channel will be using:

Answer 35

VHF ch 13

Question 36

Pilotage is compulsory for what vessels?

Answer 36

All foreign vessels 100 GT & more;
US vessels in coastwise trade 100 GT & more w/o licensed FCP on board.

Question 37

Pilot station and pilot boats may be contacted:

Answer 37

VHF-FM channels 14 & 16

Question 38

The current in Cape May Channel is:

Answer 38

1.5 knots on the flood & 2.3 knots on the ebb

Question 39

Describe Roosevelt Inlet:

Answer 39

The Del. Bay entrance to the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal and to Broadkill River. The inlet is protected by jetties that are awash at low water; each jetty is marked by a light on its outer end. The channel is marked by the jetty lights and a 213° lighted range.

Question 40

The area off Cape Henlopen is commonly known as ____________?

Answer 40

Delaware Breakwater
Harbor of Refuge

Question 41

Tidal range in Cape May Canal:

Answer 41

Mean Range: 4.85 ft

Question 42

Delaware Bay entrance length (width?):

Answer 42

10 miles

Question 43

Pilot boarding station is how far south of Cape Henlopen?

Answer 43

2.5 miles

Question 44

Describe Harbor of Refuge Light:

Answer 44

A white conical tower on a cylindrical substructure near the south end of the breakwater

Question 45

Describe Cape May canal channel

Answer 45

The project channel is offset to the north of the centerline between the jetties.

Question 46

A strong set into Harbor of Refuge can be expected _________ during _________.

Answer 46

South entrance during flood current.