Dispatchers List with Category I and II Closures – Obstructions – Shoaling

By Tessa Andres | August 14, 2023

Port Partners,

Today's updated Dispatch List is attached. A daily posting of this document can be found at:

https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=81453&Source=/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=81453

SHOALING REPORTS:

- GALVESTON HARBOR SHOALING: Shoaling is reported to reducing depths in the Galveston Harbor Channel to approximately 40 feet. This report has been correlated with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging stations 2+400 to 4+600.

Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston Directs:

(1) Vessels with 38 feet or greater draft to avoid the green side of the channel in this area.

(2) No meeting or overtaking of any vessel with draft of 38 feet or greater between Galveston Channel Lighted Buoy 1 and Galveston Light 3.

The USACE is working on a dredging project to resolve this hazard to navigation. Detailed dredging stations and survey data depicting this location can be found at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/Navigation/Channel_Survey_Maps/GA/GA_07_BRE.pdf

(page 1)

Updated USACE Channel Condition Reporting with eHydro is located at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d4ba5e6561334e259297f0a50bc47127

- GALVESTON BAY ENTRANCE CHANNEL SHOALING: U. S. Army Corps of Engineering (USACE) survey reports shoaling for approximately 3000 yards along the red side channel edge reducing depth to approximately 42 feet. This report has been correlated with USACE dredging stations 41+000 to 50+000 in the Galveston Bay Entrance Channel (GBEC). The shoaling is approximately 2000 yards below to 1000 yards above GBEC Lighted Buoy 4 when referenced to the aid to navigation.

Note that GBEC Lighted Buoys 1 through 9 are set 400 feet outside the channel limit per Local Notice to Mariners 16/23.

Mariners are advised to utilize their Electronic Chart Display Information System (ECDIS) to confirm the plotted channel limits and GBEC Lighted Buoys 1 through 9. Detailed dredging stations and survey data depicting this location can be found at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/Navigation/Channel_Survey_Maps/GA/GA_02_ENT.pdf

(Page 3 and 4)

Updated USACE Channel Condition Reporting with eHydro is located at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Hydrographic-Surveys/

- UPPER HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL SHOALING: Shoaling is reported to reducing depths to approximately 37 feet on the red side to the center line between Beltway 8 and Houston Ship Channel Light 146. This report has been correlated with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging stations 730+000 to 750+000. Deep draft vessels are advised to proceed with caution.

Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston recommends:

(1) Vessels with 34 feet or greater draft should avoid the red side of the channel in this area.

Detailed dredging stations and survey data depicting this location can be found at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/Navigation/Channel_Survey_Maps/HS/HS_07_BGB.pdf (page 2)

Updated USACE Channel Condition Reporting with eHydro is located at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d4ba5e6561334e259297f0a50bc47127

SCHEDULED CHANNEL CLOSURES/OBSTRUCTIONS:

DATE/TIME	CAT	TYPE	LOCATION	STATUS
11AUG / 0700-1300	I	ROLL ON	POWELL DOCK / CARPENTERS	APPROVED
12AUG / 0900-1300	I	DREDGE PIPELINE	GALVESTON DOCK 37 TO T&T MARINE	APPROVED
14AUG / 0700-1300	I	ROLL ON	POWELL DOCK / CARPENTERS	APPROVED