Dense Fog in the Galveston Bay and Anticipated metering – 23 Dec 25

Dense fog remains on the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay, with less than 1/4 nautical mile of visibility. The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory through 1200 (local) 23DEC25. Patchy fog is predicted to persist throughout the day, with areas of dense fog returning after 2000 (local).

Mariners are advised to consider the visibility conditions, not only at their current location, but along their planned route, as well as the potential for visibility to rapidly reduce while transiting.

VTS Houston-Galveston anticipates Metering of Commercial Traffic for the Houston/Galveston Vessel Traffic Service Area, following multiple days of fog.

The following measures are in place:

1- Tow vessels to maintain 2000 yards of separation with other tow vessels while transiting between Lynchburg and Morgan’s Point.
2- Tow vessels to maintain 2000 yards of separation with other tow vessels while transiting in the intracoastal waterway between Mile Marker 345 and Mile Marker 355.
3- Tow vessels to maintain 2000 yards of separation with other tow vessels while transiting between the intracoastal waterway and Morgan’s Point.
4- Check in’s to be based on overall user saturation throughout the Vessel Traffic Service Area and may be delayed. Mariners should anticipate delays in movement and keep their radios tuned to VHF Ch 05A for available check in periods. Vessels should be ready to move within 15 minutes of checking in to avoid delays and/or potential revocation of movement check in.

Very respectfully,

Vessel Traffic Service

USCG Sector Houston-Galveston

(281) 464-4837    24/7 Watch Supervisor

HoustonTraffic@uscg.mil

VTS Houston-Galveston/COTP documents and forms are located at:

https://lonestarhsc.org/vts-cotp-forms 

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