Freeport

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 WGMA Houston Area Ship Channel Update #17<span-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#000090">

<span-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#000090">Saturday September 2, 2017

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">The Houston Area VTS conducted a Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference call today at 1630 hours today. WGMA participated on the call and provides the following report.

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VTS Houston<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> advised the VTS Watch will provide updates to these restrictions at 0600 / 1200/ 1800 / 2400. The following is a summary of restrictions as of 1600 Friday 01 September:

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Entrance Channel/Outer bar/Inner Bar/Bolivar Channels - 37' 24/7

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Galveston 37' 24/7

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Texas City 37' 24/7

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Freeport 33' daylight (subject to change - VTS Communicating for, not deciding on)

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Houston 37' daylight to Barbour's Cut

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">-Bolivar Anchorage A, B, C - for bunkering short stays at pilot's discretion - 34' (pilots may impose more restrictive limits) 

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Look for restrictions on navigation to be lifted and/or modified as conditions permit. We will pass these along as received.  

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Although the weather has improved the primary concern from tropical rain fall is the elevated flows of bayous and creeks, thus causing strong harbor and channel currents. If possible the facility operators should conduct a dock survey to ensure arriving vessels docking have sufficient water depth. Facilities should endeavor to ensure safe berths for arriving vessels. Flow rates from all rivers including the San Jacinto river are dropping. Reports on Buffalo Bayou are also favorable as to improvement.  

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Facilities: MSIB 13-17 <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">is linked as a reference and guidance for USCG assessment of facilities.

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Sector Houston Port State Control<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> indicated they are accepting cargo waiver requests. Completed 2 exams at Bolivar, all went well.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">: A lot of survey work going on. Great progress has been made throughout the area. Houston Entrance Channel surveyed and put on the website. Dredging of the channel has commenced. Surveyed Bolivar Anchorages A and B today and those will be posted on their website tonight. They have begun surveying from Morgan's Point, tomorrow they will continue north and try to get as far as they can within the upper Ship Channel. They are still working to get data online so expect more to be posted tonight.

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I.L.A. Labor Update:<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> Labor is on standby and prepared to work through the weekend and on Labor Day, this is a positive proactive action as traditionally labor observes the Labor Day holiday as a no-work day.

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Houston Pilots <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">continue to be to prioritize critical Aids. Both Galtex & Houston Pilots doing their own survey at Bolivar Roads. Pilots requesting surveys as well the condition of AToNs in the upper channel (Lynchburg North).   Requesting need survey above Baytown. To clarify on ships coming into Houston, they are doing two way traffic during the day and one way traffic at night up to 40'. They would like to get an idea of the navigational aids that are lit.  

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Brazos Pilots: <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Although they will keep daylight restricted due to amount of debris, plans call for a request for modification to 38'.

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Galveston -Texas City Pilots<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">: There are currently no impacted vessels waiting offshore.  Operations are running smoothly. Texas City surveys should be posted soon.

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Bunkering issues and concerns<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> were discussed again by parties during the PCT.  WGMA has received inquiries of concern for updates from agents and vessel operators. A local bunker representative may be on future PCT calls to share ongoing efforts to bring barges to the appropriate areas for safe operations. Terminals were encouraged to allow bunkering if possible.

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Agents<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> are reminded to keep eNOA/D's current. As vessel priorities and initial boarding schedules are taking place agents are encouraged to maintain close contact with pilot dispatch offices.

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Houston PCT calls are scheduled for 0900 and 1630 hours daily until further notice. WGMA will participate on the calls and report to our members with updates. <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">