Moran Shipping Agencies Daily Update for Galveston/Texas City and Freeport
With the winter season approaching, Houston Pilots would like to remind ship and terminal operators that the current maximum drafts permitted in the channel and alongside docks are contingent upon a minimum of
a zero tide MLLW. As cold fronts push through Houston and water levels drop below zero, maximum allowable drafts will be limited accordingly. Prudent ship and terminal operators may wish to consider a 1’-2’ cushion to avoid delays due to low water. A good
tool to consult for assessing front passage on water levels is the NWS PETSS model:
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Terminal Operators should also consider the impacts of possible protracted fog closures in the months ahead.
Galveston/Texas City Port Information
Current Status:
OPEN
Galveston pilot restrictions:
Vessels must commence at least (2) hours before sunset, and not before sunrise.
Galveston Bar to ports of Galveston County:
Vessels over 120,000 DWT
(Daylight hours only) for arrivals and sailings, but may be shifted or turned at night within Galveston or Texas City
May sail from Bolivar Roads at night
A second pilot is required
Vessels with draft over 40 feet
Daylight hours only
Vessels with LOA of 860 feet or more a second pilot is required
Galveston Bar to Bolivar Roads:
LNG tankers shall be daylight only coming into Bolivar Roads.
They may sail from Bolivar Roads at night.
Galveston Bar to Port of Texas City:
The maximum length limit of any vessel handled in the Texas City main basin shall be 1,000 feet.
Ships, seagoing barges, and other large vessels are restricted from passing each other in the Texas City Channel or the Carbide Canal.
Vessel coming out of Houston has priority over vessel leaving Texas City at the same time.
Galveston pilots:
http://galvestonpilots.com/
Coast Guard:
In the below tab, you will find current MARSEC levels, port status, and MSIB updates.
https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/houston-galveston
Weather report:
Tide Report:
https://marineweather.net/tide/galveston-bay-entrance-south-jetty-tx-tides
Port Galveston Report:
https://marineweather.net/coastal/galveston-bay-coastal-forecast
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS54.KHGX.html
Galveston Offshore Lightering area:
https://marineweather.net/offshore/nw-gulf-including-stetson-bank-offshore-forecast
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS54.KHGX.html
Draft Information:
For current draft information, please contact local Moran agent.
281-534-2501 (24 Hours)
Gal@MoranShipping.com
2022 Port Galveston Closures:
Please note that closure updates are prone to change, and will be updated upon notification of closures.
November 2022
0500/07 Channel closed due to fog
April 2022
0200/06 Channel closed due to fog
0700/06 Channel open
1800/12 Channel closed due to weather
0515/13 Channel open
March 2022
0300/06 Channel closed due to fog
1230/06 Channel open
0600/07 Channel closed due to fog
0815/07 Channel open
0200/22 Channel closed due to weather
0830/22 Channel open
0225/31 Channel closed due to a search & rescue operation by USCG
0700/31 Channel open
February 2022
1910/01 Channel closed due to fog
2045/01 Channel open
0320/02 Channel closed due to fog
0330/03 Channel open
1915/17 Channel closed due to high winds
0600/18 Channel open
0130/21 Channel closed due to fog
0430/21 Channel open
2000/21 Channel closed due to fog
0300/22 Channel open
1800/22 Channel closed due to fog
0700/23 Channel open
Freeport Port Information:
Current Status:
OPEN
Brazos Pilot Restrictions:
Port restrictions in freeport are based on zones within the port. For port restrictions, please click on the link below to find the current
restrictions set by pilots for the zone you are inquiring about.
https://brazospilots.com/basic-operating-procedures/
Brazos Pilots:
https://brazospilots.com/
Coast Guard:
In the below tab, you will find current MARSEC levels, port status, and MSIB updates.
https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/houston-galveston#
Weather Report:
Tide Report:
https://marineweather.net/tide/freeport-harbor-tx-tides
Port Freeport Report:
https://marineweather.net/coastal/high-island-to-freeport-tx-20-60-nm-coastal-forecast
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS54.KHGX.html
Draft Information:
For current draft information, please contact local Moran agent.
281-534-2501 (24 Hours)
Gal@MoranShipping.com
2022 Port Freeport Closures:
Please note that closure updates are prone to change, and will be updated upon notification of closures.
May 2022
1000/24 channel closed due to weather
0800/23 suspended traffic due to high wind
April 2022
Ø
0010/05 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0800/05 Channel open
Ø
1817/05 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0811/06 Channel open
Ø
0001/11 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0700/11 Channel open
Ø
1115/12 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
1600/12 Channel open
Ø
1800/12 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0700/13 Channel open
Ø
0130/26 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0630/26 Channel open
March 2022
Ø
0501/06 Channel close due to fog
Ø
1100/06 Channel open
Ø
1805/11 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0700/12 Channel open
Ø
1200/21 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
1600/21 Channel open
Ø
1850/21 Channel closed due to rough conditions and high winds
Ø
0907/22 Channel open
Ø
1133/22 Channel closed to inbound traffic due to weather
Ø
1730/22 Channel closed to all traffic due to weather
Ø
2300/22 Channel open
Ø
0030/23 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0115/23 Channel open
Ø
1100 /30 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
1300/30 Channel open
February 2022
Ø
0700/01 Channel open
Ø
0435/02 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0215/03 Channel open
Ø
1815/17 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
0600/18 Channel open
Ø
2125/20 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0800/21 Channel open
Ø
2120/21 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0715/22 Channel open
Ø
2115/22 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
0022/23 Channel open
January 2022
Ø
0714/06 Channel closed due to fog
Ø
1000/06 Channel open
Ø
1130/15 Channel closed due to high winds
Ø
1930/15 Channel open
Ø
2115/31 Channel closed due to weather
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