Freeport

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 WGMA Houston Area Ship Channel Update #21<span-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#000090">

<span-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#000090">Monday September 4, 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. WGMA participated on the call and provides the following report.

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The Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston has set Port Condition Recovery for the ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Freeport and connecting waterways (MSIB 12-17 Update 2<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">).

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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 restrictions at 0600 / 1200/ 1800 / 0001. Summary of restrictions as of 1200 Monday 04 September 2017:

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

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Galveston - 24/7 with draft at the pilot's discretion (as of 1300)

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Texas City - 24/7 with draft at the pilot's discretion (as of 1300)

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Houston - 40' draft max 24/7 Entrance Channel to Baytown Highlines

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Houston - 38' Baytown Highlines to Sam Houston Bridge 24/7

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Houston - 32' Sam Houston Bridge to Sidney Sherman Bridge 24/7

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- VTS Houston/Galveston will consider individual tow movements above the Sidney Sherman Bridge on a case-by-case basis until salvage ops vcty Brady's island complete.

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Freeport - 38' draft max daylight only

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Bolivar Roads Anchorage A/B/C - open 24/7 at Pilots Discretion- short duration use for bunkering/inspections/husbandry-(pilots may impose more restrictive limits)

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Intracoastal Waterway MM350 to Brazos Flood Gates - 24/7 (Note that Brazos Flood Gates are not accepting transits).

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Intracoastal Waterway MM350 to High Island - max configuration of 2 strung out barges, daylight only.

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Detailed surveys of the Upper HSC have revealed objects/obstructions separate from hydrographic conditions of shoaling that will require further investigation/removal prior to resumption of project depth drafts.

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">VTS plans to adjust restrictions as conditions become clear through surveys and visual assessments. General feeling that great progress has been made. PCT Houston calls and WGMA updates will go to one day schedule for conference starting tomorrow at 0900.

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Houston Pilots<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> now 24/7 but with restrictions.

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">The Galveston-Texas City Pilots will handle vessels with maximum drafts in the Texas City Channel as follows:

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- 41 feet from Bolivar Roads Channel to Texas City Dock 41.

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- 40 feet in the Industrial Canal.

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Galveston Harbor Channel as follows:

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Galveston buoy "1" to Galveston Pier 33: up to 41' 06" arriving or departing only on a high tide.

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">- Galveston Pier 33 to the Pelican Island Bridge: 38 feet.

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

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">: There is material and debris in the channel that needs to be dredged but they don't anticipate any restrictions based on that. Even so, they will put it under an urgent contract for dredging. Several obstructions were identified and made priority by VTS this morning. There is still an inoperable lock on the Brazos River that they are working to repair.

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NOAA<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">: One of their survey vessels discovered a debris patch between lighted buoys 45 and 47 in the barge lane on the green side of the Houston Ship Channel. They are taking a closer look to assess the severity of the hazard.

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USCG ATON/Waterways:<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> ATON restoration should be completed with the next two days. To date four channel obstructions have been located: 1. EXXON/BOSCO in center channel. 2. Across SHELL on red side what appears to be 25' boat with 4' height. (Between Shell and Enterprise). 3. Dry Dock at Brady's - Salvage operations should last couple days. $. Pipe laying on bottom of channel (location not given). A request was made for industry stakeholders to share details if they identify any new obstructions. Keep the information coming in.

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Port State Control:<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81"> Performed 2 inspections today and feel they are getting back up and running as normal.

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Harris County<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">: Patrol units are active, marine units are available to assist if needed.

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Suggested ExxonMobil Baytown Maximum Drafts Effective September 3, 2017<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">

Berth   FW MaxDraft / MaxArrival Displacement<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">#1   35.0'  FW MLLW / 40,000 MT maximum arrival displacement                   

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">#2   34.0'  FW MLLW / 40,000 MT maximum arrival displacement

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">#3   38.0'  FW MLLW / 80,000 MT maximum arrival displacement

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">#5   36.0'  FW MLLW / 120,000 MT  maximum arrival displacement

<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">#6   38.0'  FW MLLW / 120,000 MT  maximum arrival displacement

Important Notes: <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">BTRF drafts are noted as Fresh Water, corrected to MLLW based on 0.0' tide gauge at Morgan's Point.  Drafts include a Cushion of 1.0' Under-Keel Clearance. (2)  Available water depth may be temporarily reduced due to height of tide or during periods of high winds. Vessels scheduled to arrive at, or load to, maximum drafts should review latest weather and tide conditions to insure adequate water levels are available for safe operations. Robert K. Baker, Marine Superintendent, ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery, SeaRiver Maritime, Office: (281) 834-3202, Cell: (281) 229-1072.

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<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">Priority lists for vessels are taking shape for all areas. With the channel sections opening and restrictions changing, the general consensus of those on the call (area ports, facility reps and stakeholders) was that all are getting back to normal and are on standby.

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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 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 daily starting Tuesday September 5th. WGMA will participate on the call and report to our members with updates.<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#001A81">