Port Update
Port of Houston
December 11, 2024
Notices
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Houston-Galveston is advising mariners to proceed with caution when transiting through the following areas where shoaling has been reported:
1.Galveston Bay Channel. Shoaling has been reported in multiple locations in the Galveston Bay Channel. Galveston Texas City Pilots have placed a draft restriction of 42.5 feet or less for vessel traffic and may grant waivers according to state of tide and transit plan.
2.Between the Beltway 8 Toll Bridge and Houston Ship Channel Light 146 (25790) in the Houston Ship Channel. US Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) data from the most recent survey shows shoaling in the upper Houston Ship Channel on the red side of the channel to the center line between the Beltway 8 Toll Bridge to a quarter mile above Houston Ship Channel Light 146. Deep draft vessels are advised to proceed with caution. This report has been correlated with US Army Corps of Engineers dredging stations 730+000 to 750+000.
Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston recommends: Vessels with 35 feet or greater draft should avoid the red side of the channel in this area.
Please open attachment to see full MSIB.
Houston - Daily Port Update
Houston - Daily Port Update
Current Status: OPEN
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
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.
