made by NOAA for nautical charts within the lower Houston Ship Channel (HSC) from HSC
Lighted Buoy 18 to the narrowing channel transition Lights 53 and 54. Mariners are advised to
update their electronic charting devices to reflect current chart updates.
With the dredging suspended, surveys completed and Aids to Navigation (AtoN) set in this area,
these new dimensions are available for use, however Mariners are advised to proceed with caution
as they accustom themselves to the new dimensions and note where the old channel dimensions
meet the new channel dimensions. The new channel width (700’) tapers into the previous channel
width (530’) between Lights 51/52 and Lights 53/54.
Any discrepancies to AtoN to include knockdown of lights should be reported to the USCG as soon
as possible as noted in MSIB 02-22. Reports of discrepant aids may be made to the USCG via
Channel 16 or via the online AtoN Discrepancy Report Form:
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=atonOutageReport
Please contact Sector Houston-Galveston WWM Division via houstonwwm@uscg.mil or the
Command Center at 281-464-4851 if you have any questions.
