Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Aug. 5, 2008

Contact:  Pettey Officer Patrick D. Kelley

(832) 293-1293

LOCAL WATERWAYS RE-OPENED WITH RESTRICTIONS 

HOUSTON - The Coast Guard has completed an initial assessment of the Houston Ship Channel, Port Freeport, Port of Galveston, Port of Texas City and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. 

• The Houston Ship Channel is open to inbound and outbound traffic for all ships that draft less than 38 feet
• The Port of Galveston is open to inbound and outbound traffic for all ships that draft less than 38 feet 
• The Port of Texas City is open to inbound and outbound traffic for all ships that draft less than 35 feet
• Port Freeport is open to unrestricted ship movement
• The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is open to barge traffic

The lifting of these restrictions pend more detailed surveys by the Army Corps of Engineers over the next few days. "The use of the Houston-Galveston Port Coordination Team (PCT) process has worked very well in prioritizing ship movements and conveying critical facility operations," said Steve Nerheim, Vessel Traffic Coordinator at Sector Houston-Galveston.

For video of ships waiting to enter the Houston Ship Channel please use the following link.

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=343156