The Captain of the Port (COTP) Houston-Galveston is advising mariners to proceed with caution when transiting through the following areas where shoaling has been reported:

1.Galveston Bay Channel. Shoaling has been reported in multiple locations in the Galveston Bay Channel. Galveston Texas City Pilots have placed a draft restriction of 42.5 feet or less for vessel traffic and may grant waivers according to state of tide and transit plan.

2.Between the Beltway 8 Toll Bridge and Houston Ship Channel Light 146 (25790) in the Houston Ship Channel. US Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) data from the most recent survey shows shoaling in the upper Houston Ship Channel on the red side of the channel to the center line between the Beltway 8 Toll Bridge to a quarter mile above Houston Ship Channel Light 146. Deep draft vessels are advised to proceed with caution. This report has been correlated with US Army Corps of Engineers dredging stations 730+000 to 750+000.

Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston recommends: Vessels with 35 feet or greater draft should avoid the red side of the channel in this area.

3.Bayport Flare. Shoaling to 42 feet has been reported in the north side of the Bayport Flare. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and note that the pilots may impose draft restrictions for vessels transiting this area.

4.Barbour’s Cut Flare. Shoaling to 39 feet has been reported in the north side of the Barbour’s Cut Flare. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and note that the pilots may impose draft restrictions for vessels transiting this area.

Detailed dredging stations depicting current status of dredging projects and current channel surveys can be found on USACE Dashboard at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Navigation-Projects-Contracts/

Additional guidance regarding this navigational hazard may be issued in the form of further Marine Safety Information Bulletins, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, VTS Directives or other forms as necessary. For additional questions or concerns regarding transits in these areas, please contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston Command Duty Officer at (866) 539-8114.

This bulletin supersedes all previous MSIBs with information regarding shoaling and shall remain active until rescinded or superseded by future direction.

Waterways Management

Sector Houston-Galveston

U.S. Coast Guard

WWM Duty Cell: 713-398-5823

houstonwwm@uscg.mil

homeport.uscg.mil

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