When running the ~150-nautical-mile offshore route along the Delmarva Peninsula, captains should monitor local weather updates from the Ocean City NOAA station (WX-3) rather than inland Chesapeake broadcasts, identifying stable "bail-out" inlets like Ocean City in advance. Upon reaching Lewes Harbor, exercise extreme caution near the Roosevelt Inlet and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal to navigate around heavy commercial traffic and severe shoaling caused by ferry propwash
Optimized for marine passage planning, vessel routing, and coastal or offshore weather tracking. This automated marine weather routing tool updates daily using premium data models. Below is the weather, wave, and ocean current layout for a standard vessel transit from Norfolk / Hampton, VA to Delaware Bay, Lewes, DE.
Expect a majority of reaching conditions with steady motion. Winds range from 2 to 9 kts with waves 0.3 to 2.2 ft with period of 3 to 7 seconds. Overall, seas and wind frequently opposed, expect confused motion. Wind angles: 14% following, 71% reaching, 14% on the nose. Sea state: 29% cross-seas, 71% opposed.
Points of Sail
| Category | Point of Sail | Wind Angle | Portion of Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the Nose | No-Go Zone | 0–45° | 14% |
| Reaching | Close Hauled | 45–80° | 14% |
| Reaching | Beam Reach | 80–110° | 14% |
| Reaching | Broad Reach | 110–145° | 43% |
| Following | Run | 145–180° | 14% |
Sea State & Wave Motion
| Sea State | Wind vs. Waves | Boat Motion | Portion of Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aligned | Waves run with the wind | Steady, organized | 0% |
| Cross Seas | Waves cross the wind | Rolling | 29% |
| Opposed | Waves against the wind | Choppy, confused | 71% |