June 7, 2004

For the safety of swimmers taking part in the annual Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, there will be a vessel safety zone in effect in the Delaware River from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Boats will be prohibited from entering or exiting an area one-quarter mile north and one-quarter mile south of the Delaware City Branch Canal during the event. Division of Fish and Wildlife enforcement vessels and the U.S. Coast Guard will be on patrol.

Boaters launching from the Fort DuPont ramp will only be allowed to exit west into the branch canal toward the C&D Canal. Vessels must be able to pass under the Branch Canal bridge which has an 8’ height restriction at high tide. Eastbound boaters in the Branch Canal will not be allowed to go past the boat ramp during the swim.

During the temporary closure, the Division of Parks and Recreation and the Division of Fish and Wildlife suggest that boaters use the Augustine Beach boat ramp, which is approximately 3.5 miles south on Route 9.

The popular event, which is co-sponsored by Delaware City Main Street and Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon, Inc., features a 1500 meter swim across the Delaware River from the Fort Delaware State Park dock on Pea Patch Island to the Fort DuPont boat ramp in Branch Canal. It also includes a 22.3 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run.

According to Fort Delaware State Park superintendent Becky Webb, the 10 a.m. ferry to Pea Patch Island will run, but may be a few minutes late. The best viewing, she says is from the end of Clinton Street in Delaware City.

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