The CBP Area Port Director has approved a blanket Delay in Departure for those vessels unable to depart the lower Mississippi River due to high seas in the Gulf of Mexico and port closures associated with the Tropical Storm.

The blanket Delay in Departure grants an additional 24 hours for vessels to depart port after clearance has been granted, i.e. allows a vessel up to 72 hours to sail after clearance.

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.

If a vessel cannot depart within 72 hours the original clearance should be surrendered to the Marine Desk which granted the clearance, and cancelled.  A fax copy of the clearance will not be accepted.

Questions in the Port of New Orleans should be directed to Chief Denise Emmer at

(504) 670-2052 or via e-mail at denise.emmer@cbp.dhs.gov.