Freeport

Just prior to the call, we received an update, which has been further updated as follows:

Draft restrictions and daylight restrictions are in place ….. controlled/signaled/updated by VTS.

-          Entrance Channel/Outer bar/Inner Bar/Bolivar Channels – 37’, 24/7 moves

-          Galveston 37’, 24/7 moves.  Pilots aware of some shoaling to avoid.

-          Texas City 37’, 24.7 moves

-          Freeport 33’ daylight (subject to change – VTS Communicating for, not deciding on).  Awaiting updated ACOE data.

-          Houston 40’ daylight to Barbours Cut.  May be able to

-          Bolivar Anchorage A – for bunkering and short stays – 34’ (pilots may impose more restrictive limits)

-          ICWW open in both directions to High Island and Freeport for daylight only.  More to follow once surveys completed on ATONs.

-          ATON vessels on the way up to start surveys

-          A sunken dry dock is obstructing part of the channel near Brady’s Landing.  May be able to get a barge by it, but not able to consider ships quite yet.  Still investigating.

-          Tugs/barges and ships will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

All of these details will be a bit dynamic, changing as more data comes in.  We will try to get info to you as quickly as we can as we hear it and get any concerns resolved.

Here’s the details from this afternoon’s call:

We do still have restrictions in terms of draft and daylight periods as above. 

NWS:  Not much has changed.  Still favorable conditions offshore.  Issue remains the current.  NWS Waterways:  Downward trend on San Jac, or about 1 ½ feet by the 6th, and to normal as soon as the 5th.  Buffalo Bayou holding steady, but a slight downward trend at the Shephard Drive location.  VTS:  Will periodically update things as conditions warrant and restrictions relax.ACOE:  Still surveying.  Latest data posted to their website.  If you have a survey open, close out your browser and then go back to get the latest info (cookies causing issues and locking in old data).  GIWW from Houston to Brazos to be posted tonight.  Dredging of Galveston and Freeport to being in next few days to address entrance channel shoaling.  VTS:  Will keep putting out signals on restrictions as any are adjusted.  Clarifications on MSIB’s will come out as needed.  Houston Pilots:  Boarded 6 ships into Bayport and 2 into Barbours Cut.  No problems into Bayport.  Barbours Cut will hear later if any issues.  Current seems to be falling pretty quickly.  Will check currents at San Jac tomorrow.  Might be looking at 40’ tomorrow once all of the results come in, but there are some areas of shoaling.  Channel around Lynchburg is becoming manageable, but need to await surveys.  Gal-Tex Pilots:  Made 15 moves today.  Don’t have anyone waiting that is being hampered by restrictions.  Freeport Pilots:  Did 4 moves today, and 1 waiting due to the draft restrictions.  Pilots would like to hold everything to 38’, but that hasn’t been approved yet.  Have not ran the channel at night yet.  Still seeing debris fields (i.e. large trees, etc.), so not yet ready for night moves.  Still daylight restricted.USCG Facilities:  Will try to get moves approved above Barbour’s Cut on case-by-case basis by contacting VTS.  Facilities within the Zulu area (i.e. above Barbour’s Cut) are allowed to conduct cargo transfers if the vessel is alongside, your properly completed form has been sent in, all is in place, etc. (i.e. same requirements as earlier communicated for the open areas). 

Next call at 09:00 tomorrow.

Thanks,

 

JAMES PRAZAK