To Whom It May Concern,

 

This correspondence is to formally notify you that the Sabine Bank Pilots will be conducting a three-month helicopter trial commencing on January 1, 2024. Brim Aviation will be the aviation contractor conducting the trial. One (1) MD 902 helicopter, capable of carrying up to three Sabine Pilots, will be used during this trial period.

 

The purpose of the trial is to determine whether an airborne pilot delivery method is a financially and logistically feasible alternative for our customers and the Sabine Pilots relative to vessel boardings and disembarkations on the Sabine Bank channel, which is currently in the process of being extended by 13.2 miles.  We are conducting this helicopter trial prior to the completion of the bank channel extension as part of our continuing efforts to ensure we are providing the safest, most reliable, and cost-effective pilotage services that our customers have come to expect from us.  

 

The first two months of the trial period will be conducted during daylight hours while beginning on the third month of the trial period, we will start utilizing the helicopter 24 hours a day.  During the trial period, the helicopter will be used in conjunction with the pilot boats.  In that regard, pilot boats will continue to be utilized for boardings and disembarkations at the inner boarding station located at Buoys 29 and 30, while the helicopter will be utilized outside the inner boarding station. Only select Sabine Pilots will be transported via helicopter during this trial period.

 

The funding for this helicopter trial will come from a temporary increase in the current boat/transportation fee that is charged to vessels that request their pilots to board or disembark at or beyond the Sabine Bank Buoy. The current charge per vessel is $1,025.00. We will increase this charge to $2,480.00 per pilot delivered during the trial period and for one month after it concludes, as we anticipate that a four-month increase in the transportation fee will result in a better estimation of the annual costs that would be incurred in the event the helicopter is eventually adopted for use on a permanent basis.  Again, this increase is temporary and is being imposed solely to offset the increased costs that will be associated with the helicopter trial.  Once the helicopter trial is concluded, the boat/transportation fee will return to $1,025.00 per vessel beginning on May 1, 2024.

 

We believe that the contemplated implementation of helicopter transportation will increase the Sabine Pilots’ ability to serve you and the Sabine Pilots’ other customers as we continue our ongoing efforts to preserve safety in and around some of the most challenging waterways in the nation while still maintaining smooth, efficient and uninterrupted maritime operations and commerce.

If you have any questions concerning the helicopter trial, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Andrew Guidry

President, Sabine Pilots

 

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2024 Channel Closures

Jan 05th – 0905 Pilot service suspended due to high winds / rough seas
Jan 05th – 1630 Pilot service resumed
Jan 12th – 0230  Pilot service suspended due to poor visibility

Jan 12th – 0900 Pilot service resumed

Jan 12th – 1030 Pilot service suspended  offshore due to high winds
Jan 12th – 2000 Pilot service resumed
Jan 15th – 1600 Pilot service suspended due to freezing temps and icy road conditions

Jan 16th – 1400 Pilot service resumed
Jan 18th – 0430 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Jan 19th – 0600 Pilot service resumed

Jan 22nd – 1904 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Jan 24th – 1000 Pilot service resumed

Feb 02nd – 0900 Channel closed above Port Arthur turning basin to remove sunken vehicle

Feb 02nd – 1600 Channel open

Feb 10th – 0445 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Feb 10th – 1030 Pilot service resumed

Feb 10th – 2100 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Feb 10th – 1530 Pilot service resumed

Feb 11th – 1900 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Feb 11th – 2330 Pilot service resumed

Feb 22nd – 2310 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Feb 23rd – 0600 Pilot service resumed
Feb 27th – 0145 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Feb 27th – 0900 Pilot service resumed

Feb 27th – 2130 Pilot service limited to one way traffic due to fog

Feb 28th – 0300 Pilot service resumed two way traffic

Mar 02nd – 1730 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Mar 03rd – 1000 Pilot service resumed

Mar 03rd – 1740 Pilot service suspended due to fog

Mar 05th – 1200 Pilot service resumed

General Channel Restrictions/Info

*   Max Safe Draft 40ft FW
*   Air Draft above Valero Terminal – Less than 136ft for passing 3 fixed bridges
*   800ft wide channel from 29/30 Buoy to Texaco Island
*   400ft wide channel from Texas Island to Port of Beaumont
*   “SB” Buoy is located at Lat. 29-25N Lon. 93-40W
*   Navigational Charts NOAA 11341, 11342 & 11343 cover the entire waterway
*   Sabine Pilots www.sabinepilots.com

Sabine Pilot Restrictions

*   Vessels 85,000 DWT or over, 875 FT LOA or over or 125FT beam or over will transit during daylight hours only above Texaco Island. Only one (1) of the limitations has to be met to restrict a vessel.
*   Daylight Restriction times are based on the daylight hours and are adjusted according to sun rise/sun set. Current times as follows, the terminals shown are the ones that handle Aframax size vessels which are typically daylight restricted.

(INBOUND)

ExxonMobil                        0500-1030 Hrs   Approx Transit time “SB” Buoy to Berth – 8hrs
Enterprise BMW               0500-1130 Hrs
Sun Terminal                      0500-1200 Hrs
Phillips 66                            0500-1200 Hrs
Motiva PN                           0500-1330 Hrs
Total                                      0500-1400 Hrs   Approx Transit time “SB” Buoy to Berth – 5.5hrs

(OUTBOUND)

ExxonMobil                        0600-1400 Hrs
Enterprise BMW               0600-1430 Hrs
Sun Terminal                      0600-1500 Hrs
Phillips 66                            0600-1530 Hrs
Motiva PN                           0600-1530 Hrs
Total                                      0600-1430 Hrs

*   Vessels with the combined beam of one-half the width of the channel will not meet/pass day or night.
*   Any vessel that meets or exceeds either or both 860FT LOA or 120FT beam will require two pilots.

Vessels that do not exceed the above size restrictions can transit day or night consistent with other port traffic movements. Vessels that are daylight restricted will generally have priority to move before non-daylight restricted vessels.