SC 20-032 

In preparation for Tropical Depression/Storm Cristobal, a blanket delay in departure is approved for the New Orleans Tri-Port (New Orleans, Gramercy and Baton Rouge) until the Lower Mississippi River [LMR] is opened by the River Pilots and the USCG Captain of the Port. 

There is no requirement to have a Vessel Entrance and Clearance Specialist (VECS) stamp/annotate a vessel’s clearance “Delay in Departure” when a blanket Delay in Departure is authorized.  Reference Southern Currents 19-028 July 10, 2019.
As a reminder, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays do not count when calculating timeframes for:
  • Vessel formal entrance after arrival [48 hours] (19 CFR  4.3a);
  • Filing complete manifests and export declarations [4 days] (19CFR 4.75b).
Any emergent marine division issues this weekend, or questions about this trade notice, should be relayed to Assistant Port Director Mark Choina via email at mark.s.choina@cbp.dhs.gov.