| The US Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) held a Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference call this morning at 0900 hours to update all concerned about the situation with the dense fog and its effects on vessel/ship traffic in Houston Galveston Sector. Your WGMA Maritime Affairs team participated on the call and has the following report for our membership:
National Weather Service:
· Lingering patchy fog in the morning along the coast
· Effecting Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay and nearshore Gulf waters with marine visibility being 1 nautical mile
· Stagnant weather pattern all week
· Some limited afternoon opportunities for movement for the areas North of Eagle Point, but guidance is pretty pessimistic closer to the entrance and nearshore Gulf Waters
· Water temperature currently (61° Beaches & 62-64° Upper Bay)
· Weak front penciled in for next Monday is really the best long-term solution should water temperatures not climb much.
Other Weather Commentary:
We’re seeing areas of patchy fog this morning and night, due to warm air moving over coastal waters and this pattern is likely to continue throughout the week until new front enters beginning next week.
Vessel Traffic Service:
Here to facilitate priority vessels, however, realistically no arrivals until tomorrow.
Various industry representatives discussed their priorities; little was noted.
Port Houston:
Priorities provided to VTS by email
Port Freeport:
No priorities mentioned
Port of Galveston:
1 cruise ship and 1 Ro/Ro vessel priority for Wednesday
Port of Texas City:
No priorities mentioned
Brazos Pilots:
· 4 arrivals (Del Monte Priority)
· 2 sailings
Galveston-Texas City Pilots:
· 8 arrivals (Ro/Ro Priority)
· 2 sailings (Cruise Ship Priority)
Houston Pilots:
· Focus is on sailings with water levels not being good so max draft vessels will probably will mise there window today at the dock looking to depart
· 38 arrivals
· 23 sailings
· 1 shift
VTS Port Arthur reports they are holding at zero visibility with no PCT triggered
Harbor tugs: Standing by for operations to start when conditions permit.
Another PCT conference call has been scheduled for 0900 hours tomorrow Tuesday, December 23rd, to provide updates on this situation. Your WGMA Maritime Affairs team will participate on tomorrow’s call and report to our membership. |
