U.S. Coast Guard Reopens Houston Ship Channel

U.S. Coast Guard last night reopened the Houston Ship Channel for outbound ships from Houston and Galveston.

The Houston Pilots report 14 vessels have sailed with 29 more pending outbound and 46 waiting to come in to Houston. Daylight only restrictions are in place on all movements in/out of the safety zones, with hours of darkness beginning at 1930.

Tow movements are allowed in both directions on the ICW as well as into the Port of Houston.

All vessels are directed to check-in on channel 5A to coordinate movement with Houston Vessel Traffic. VTS Houston Galveston will direct those movements based on emergency priorities established by the Port Coordination Team.

The Houston Ship Channel was closed on Saturday following a collision between a Kirby Inland Marine oil barge and a cargo ship (Kirby Barge 27706 and M/V SUMMER WIND), spilling some 168,000 gallons (636,000 liters) of residual fuel oil.

[mappress]
portofhouston, March 26, 2014