Daily Update

Port of Houston

March 01, 2024

Notices

Houston Port Information

Current Status: OPEN 
  
WINTER SEASON AND IMPACT OF FRONTS ON WATER LEVELS
Houston Pilots would like to remind ship and terminal operators that the current maximum drafts permitted in the channel and alongside docks are contingent upon a minimum of a zero tide MLLW.  As cold fronts push through Houston and water levels drop below zero, maximum allowable drafts will be limited accordingly.  Prudent ship and terminal operators may wish to consider a 1’-2’ cushion to avoid delays due to low water.  A good tool to consult for assessing front passage on water levels is the NWS PETSS model:   https://slosh.nws.noaa.gov/petss/index.php?stid=8770613&datum=MLLW&show=1-1-0-1-1-1-1-1 or https://slosh.nws.noaa.gov/petss/index.php?stid=8770733&datum=MLLW&show=1-1-0-1-1-1-1-1.
 
Terminal Operators should also consider the impacts of possible protracted fog closures in the months ahead. 
 
 
USCG HOUSTON COC INSPECTIONS
USCG Sector Houston will no longer accept COC exam requests seeking a date more than 10 calendar days in advance. Additionally, SHG will normally not accept new requests made less than 24 hours advance.
 
 
OFF-SIGNERS:
CBP Houston does not permit off-signers to stay in hotel to await their flights home. They must go direct for vessel to IAH for their flights.
 
Valid C1-D USA visa is required for all off-signers by CBP Houston, on very rare occasions will exception be made by CBP Houston.
 
CBP   : https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus


Galveston/Texas City Port Information
 
Current Status: OPEN
 
Due to a recent vessel grounding, Texas City Pilots have reduced the maximum draft to 43 feet fresh water.
 
 
Galveston pilots:
 
Galveston pilot restrictions:
  • Vessels must commence at least (2) hours before sunset, and not before sunrise.
Galveston Bar to ports of Galveston County:
  1. Vessels over 120,000 DWT
  • (Daylight hours only) for arrivals and sailings, but may be shifted or turned at night within Galveston or Texas City
  • May sail from Bolivar Roads at night
  • A second pilot is required
  1. Vessels with draft over 40 feet
  • Daylight hours only
  1. Vessels with LOA of 860 feet or more a second pilot is required
Galveston Bar to Bolivar Roads:
  • LNG tankers shall be daylight only coming into Bolivar Roads. 
  • They may sail from Bolivar Roads at night.
Galveston Bar to Port of Texas City: 
  1. The maximum length limit of any vessel handled in the Texas City main basin shall be 1,000 feet.
  2. Ships, seagoing barges, and other large vessels are restricted from passing each other in the Texas City Channel or the Carbide Canal.
  3. Vessel coming out of Houston has priority over vessel leaving Texas City at the same time.
Weather report:
Tide Report:
Port Galveston Report:
Galveston Offshore Lightering area:
Draft Information:
For current draft information, please contact local Moran agent.
2023 Port Galveston Closures:
Please note that closure updates are prone to change, and will be updated upon notification of closures. 
For Historical Port closure information please contact local Moran agent. Please see contact info above.
 
 

Weather / Marine Zone Forecast

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
 
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
 
NOAA US GULF OFFSHORE WATER WEATHER
GALVESTON WEB CAMS
 
KEMAH, TX WEB CAMS
 
BAYTOWN WEB CAMS
                                                           SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON
                                                      SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON (08-37170)
                                                            13411 HILLARD ST.
                                                            HOUSTON TX
 
Primary Phone: 281-464-4800
Emergency Phone: 281-464-4800
Fax Number: 281-464-4814
Rescue 21 VHF DSC MMSI Number: 003669915
Response Phone: 281-464-4851
Incident Mgmt. Phone: 281-464-4898
Enforcement Phone: 281-464-4862
Prevention Phone: 281-464-4700
Inspection Phone: 281-464-4732/4733
Investigations Phone: 281-464-4709
Waterways Management Phone: 281-464-4891/4890
Prep/Planning Phone: 281-464-4720
Facilities Branch Phone: 409-978-2711
Commercial Fishing Vessel Phone: 281-464-4732
Facility Inspection Branch Phone: 281-464-4709
 
National Response Center Number: 800-424-8802 - Contact the NRC for oil spills, hazmat releases.
 
 
 
Area of Responsibility
Sector Houston-Galveston encompasses an area extending from the east bank of the Colorado River in southwest Texas to 60 miles east of Lake Charles, Louisiana. 
The Sector’s northern boundary aligns with the Texas- Oklahoma border and encompasses Lake Texoma. The southern border extends 200 miles offshore to the seaward 
extent of the U.S. exclusive economic zone.  The unit includes two separate Captain of the Port (COTP) zones and major maritime centers including Houston, Beaumont, 
Lake Charles, Texas City, Port Arthur, Freeport and Galveston.
houupdate.png 316 KB
 
 

Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.

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