Daily Update
Port of Houston
September 09, 2024
Notices
Due to developing storm in the Gulf of Mexico, USCG is suspending inbound boardings for Houston, Galveston and Freeport as of 1400hrs today.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) has set Port Condition Whiskey for the ports of Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Texas City and portions of the GIWW between MM-319.5 and MM-442. Heavy weather conditions from Invest Storm 91L are expected to make landfall within 72 hours. For information on Port Conditions, please refer to Sector Houston-Galveston MSIB 13-24 and Heavy Weather forms, which are located on HOMEPORT at: Sector Houston/Galveston Homeport.
Continued uncertainty on the impact of the track may result in decreased preparation time once the path of the storm becomes more defined. As storm information is updated, there is the potential to go to Port Condition X-Ray or straight to Port Condition Yankee. Additional guidance will be issued via Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB), Broadcast Notice to Mariners or other forms as necessary. The Port Coordination Team will facilitate communications between and amongst port stakeholders and to, and on behalf of, the COTP. Monitor National Weather Service for most up to date weather and conditions.
The following requirements are in effect for vessels and facilities:• Initiate vessel and facility severe weather plans.
• Regulated facilities must submit Pre-Storm Checklist.
• Commercial self-propelled vessels >500 GT requesting to remain in port or the Galveston Fairway Anchorage shall submit “Declaration of Intent to Remain in Port”. This request should only be submitted for extreme circumstances and should be submitted prior to the setting of Port Condition X-Ray.
• Vessels will not be permitted to remain in Bolivar Anchorage if Condition Yankee is set.
• Ocean going vessels begin making plans for departure. Vessels bound for the ports listed above are advised to seek an alternate destination. Inland tows must identify a facility or fleeting area that will support a safe mooring for the duration of heavy weather.
All port entities are advised to review appropriate Heavy Weather Plans and prepare for setting Port Condition X-Ray. All documents (checklists & forms) mentioned in this MSIB can be found on Sector Houston-Galveston’s Homeport page under Local Contingency Plans. Please address questions to the Sector Houston-Galveston Command Center at (866) 539-8114. This bulletin shall remain active until cancelled or superseded by another bulletin.
Houston - Daily Port Update
Current Status: OPEN – INTEND TO SUSPEND INBOUNDS AT 1400/9TH
A tropical system will continue to move onshore across the Gulf Coast Wednesday and Wednesday night and bring the likelihood of heavy rainfall across eastern TX/southern AR/LA/MS/southern AL/western FL. Rainfall amounts of 3-7” will be likely with higher amounts possible. The heaviest rain will fall across much of LA and southeastern MS
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.
Galveston/Texas City Port Information
Galveston/Texas City Port Information
Current Status: OPEN - INTEND TO SUSPEND INBOUNDS AT 1400/9TH
Galveston pilots:
Draft Information:
For current draft information, please contact local Moran agent.
- 281-534-2501 (24 Hours)
- Gal@MoranShipping.com
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
Weather report:
Tide Report:
Port Galveston Report:
- https://marineweather.net/coastal/galveston-bay-coastal-forecast
- https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS54.KHGX.html
Galveston Offshore Lightering area:
Port / Terminal Restrictions
Galveston pilot restrictions:
- Vessels must commence at least (2) hours before sunset, and not before sunrise.
Galveston Bar to ports of Galveston County:
- 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
- Vessels with draft over 40 feet
- Daylight hours only
- 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:
- The maximum length limit of any vessel handled in the Texas City main basin shall be 1,000 feet.
- Ships, seagoing barges, and other large vessels are restricted from passing each other in the Texas City Channel or the Carbide Canal.
- Vessel coming out of Houston has priority over vessel leaving Texas City at the same time.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
NOAA US GULF OFFSHORE WATER WEATHER
GALVESTON WEB CAMS
KEMAH, TX WEB CAMS
BAYTOWN WEB CAMS
https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/webcams/baytown_united-states-of-america_4672731
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard
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.