Port MARSEC Level 1
Local Time – GMT -4
Good day,
2024 Ozone Action Days begin May 1, 2024
Just a reminder that during the following summer months DNREC measures the air quality forecast for pollution and may deem certain days Code Orange or Code Red.
“Ozone Action Day” as defined by the Delaware Reg 1124: a day that is predicted, based on forecasted weather conditions, to reach unhealthy ozone concentrations. Frequently called a Code Red Day, an Ozone Action Day is declared prior to 1430 hours (local time) for the following day.
Below are the Operations Standards regarding Ozone Action Days from the DNREC Title V Permit:
Condition 3 – Table 1(a)(1)(iii)(L)
Uncontrolled lightering operations shall not be carried out from 0230 hours until 1630 hours (local time) on any day that the Department declares an Ozone Action Day. However, if uncontrolled lightering operations have begun prior to the declaration of the Ozone Action Day, those lightering operations may continue until 0230 hours (local time) or until the service vessel is fully loaded, whichever is later.
Condition 3 – Table 1(a)(1)(iii)(M)
If the Department declares consecutive Ozone Action Days, the owner or operator of a lightering service shall, to the greatest extent practicable, minimize uncontrolled lightering operations on the second and subsequent consecutively declared Ozone Actions Days as follows:
1) Carrying out controlled lightering operations, if vapor balancing compatible service vessels and
ships to be lightered are available.
2) Rescheduling the uncontrolled lightering operations to the periods of 1630 hours to 0230 hours
(local time) of the second and subsequent consecutively declared Ozone Action Days.
With all of that being said, all of our Charterers have made great efforts to charter in vapor balance capable vessels and I don’t foresee any issues with lightering in the event there is a Code Red Day this summer.
Below received from DNREC:
With Spring just beginning, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is preparing for its annual air quality forecasting season, which runs from May 1 - September 30.
Starting on May 1, you'll receive an email from this address if an air quality "action day” is anticipated the next day. An action day is declared when the levels of ozone and/or particulate matter are predicted to be high and could therefore be unhealthy to sensitive groups and/or the general public.
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.