Coast Guard Warns Of Boating On Icy Delaware River

PHILADELPHIA – With harsh winter weather behind us, but more freezing temperatures on the way, the United States Coast Guard is warning boaters of dangerous conditions created by icy water in the Delaware River.

The Coast Guard is urging recreational boaters and paddle-sport enthusiasts to wait until the ice does not present a danger before heading out on the water.

"Boaters should be aware that this is a very dangerous time for recreational boating on the Delaware River," Lt. j.g. Kiley Relf, waterways manager at Sector Delaware Bay, said. "Portions of the river have a restriction in place to only steel-hulled vessels because of the danger large pieces of ice floating in the river pose to other vessels. The current ice conditions create potentially life-threatening situations to boaters."

The reminder comes after officials got multiple reports of kayaks in the water recently.

The ice on the Delaware River could damage, crush or pierce the hull of vessels that are not strong enough to withstand forceful impact, the Coast Guard said.

This danger is magnified by water temperatures cold enough to cause hypothermia quickly

Watch footage of a ship breaking through the icy river below:

A New Jersey State Police boat its berth in Camden, N.J., through ice on the Delaware River, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)