| The US Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) held a Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference call today at 0900 hours to look at the situation on the Houston Ship Channel and surrounding region, Your WGMA Maritime Affairs team participated on the call and has the following report for our membership:
The National Weather Service briefly advised the forecast for the next week:
· Cold front pushes offshore on Tuesday with some isolated to scattered showers/storms possible.
· Still a long way out, but wind shift to the NW 10-15kt looks probable by early afternoon. Winds will really kick up toward evening and overnight (N 20-25kn with gusts to 30kt) and near shore seas around 4 feet (much higher beyond 20 NM offshore).
· Winds will probably remain elevated into midday Wednesday before beginning a downward trend.
· Appears much more favorable wind/sea conditions Thursday/Friday.
· Conditions will remain nominal until Saturday.
VTS Traffic Directives/Measures
· No meeting or overtaking during the transit.
· Moving safety zone enforce.
Houston Pilots:
· Best estimate for nominal conditions to start the HAPPY DIAMOND inbound on Thursday afternoon (April 4th).
· Estimate a 2-hour transit.
· Thursday morning will sail all daylight restrictions ships outbound.
Another shipment on the same ship is expected approximately the 2nd week of June.
On Another Topic:
As most are aware, the dead ship M/V STRIDE did not sail from port yet.
Parties will meet next week in a Hot Wash to determine why the vessel didn’t successfully depart the port when scheduled this week.
After the Hot Wash, another PCT conference call will be scheduled to update everyone with a possible departure date.
Agents are reminded to maintain close dialogue with area pilot dispatch offices.
Another PCT conference is not anticipated at this time. |
