LONE STAR HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE
WATERWAYS UTILIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE W ORKING GROUP
12 AUGUST 2013 MEETING REPORT
Xochitl Castaneda
Alan Bunn
Suzanne Hemann
Robert Thompson
Warner Welch
J.J. Plunkett
Chris Frabotta
Thomas Keaveny
Jim Andrews
USCG Sector Houston
WWM
NOAA
USCG MSU Texas City
Houston Pilots
USCG VTS Houston
Houston Pilots
USACE
Houston Pilots
G&H Towing
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Task Statements:
1. Obtain updated hydrography and charted soundings vice tabulation for
Anchorage A. (Done)
2. Update hydrography for Anchorage B. (Done)
LONE STAR HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE
WATERWAYS UTILIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE W ORKING GROUP
12 AUGUST 2013 MEETING REPORT
3. Remove obstructions for Anchorage C. (USACE to investigate Dive
Assessment))
4. Mark an extended turn/recovery area for outbound traffic in the deep draft
channel. (Deemed high effort, low value – Tabled))
5. Assess the quarantine area to the south of the main ship channel at Bolivar
Roads for ATB/ITB anchorage. (Done – recommended for 3 ATB-only
anchorage circles to be marked on the chart)
6. Assess the area over and east of Big Reef Bar for possibility of anchorage.
(Done – Deemed unworthy of additional action due to low value)
7. Remove the spoil area northeast of Anchorage A and replace it with soundings
and charted depth. (Request endorsed by NOAA – awaiting final USACE
approval. Recommended for 1 anchorage area – restricted for VTS assignment)
8. Create a marked and exclusive channel between Bolivar Landing and Galveston
Landing which may affect the boundaries of Anchorage C. (Tabled as low value –
not mutually acceptable)
9. Create additional deep water anchorage area west of Bolivar Point. (Tabled as
low value – not mutually acceptable)
The Working Group met at MSU Texas City - attendees from Houston
Pilots, USCG WWW, VTS, NOAA and USACE as listed above. The Group
reviewed 9 Task Statements, focusing on Tasks 3, 4, 5 and 7 for action.
The Group determined that TS 7 presented the highest value/lowest
effort of the TS’s and spent time articulating how the proposal at the
spoil area would be best drafted. The Group unanimously decided to
continue the effort with the Army Corps of Engineers to remove the
spoils area from the chart and create an additional deepwater
anchorage to the east of Anchorage A. To maximize the efficiency of
the proposal, the Group recommends moving the special anchorage
buoy marking the northeast corner of Anchorage A northward by
approximately 170 yards to position L: 29 21.19’N Lon: 094° 42.85’W
and have the north boundary of anchorage A follow the new buoy line.
The new anchorage, proposed as Anchorage 1A, would be placed along
the following coordinates
NW: L: 29 21.19’N
Lon: 094° 42.85’W
NE: L: 29 20.72’N
Lon: 094° 42.13’W
SE: L: 29 20.67’N
Lon: 094° 42.13’W
LONE STAR HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE
WATERWAYS UTILIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE W ORKING GROUP
12 AUGUST 2013 MEETING REPORT
SW: L: 29 20.83’N
Lon: 094° 42.87’W
This anchorage would be marked on the chart as a special restricted
anchorage controlled by VTS, and reserved for vessels requiring preentry inspections or other mandated regulatory activity. This proposal
will improve port efficiency and significantly reduce costs for the
shipping industry, the Coast Guard and CBP. The creation of this
anchorage and the modifications to Anchorage A would not create an
unfunded mandate for the USACE, as these features are not included in
the dredge maintenance provisions of the port's authorization.
Regarding TS 3, the Group decided to request additional assets to
investigate the obstruction in Anchorage C to make a better
determination of costs required to address it. USACE is requesting the
Army Dive Team make an exploratory dive on the obstruction to
determine its makeup and potential mobility.
The Group decided that making additional turn areas or recovery areas
attached to the marked channel was infeasible because those changes
would require a change to the federal statute authorizing the channel.
The Group further determined that these changes would represent little
value from a navigational safety or optimization standpoint, and
therefore decided to table TS 4.
The Group discussed the merits of a marked ATB-only anchorage in the
eastern area of the former quarantine anchorage to the south of the
Outer Bar Channel between buoy 9 and a point just west of buoy 11.
With a stated requirement of a 500-yd diameter, the group believed
there is just enough room for 3 >500-yd anchorage circles, centered on
the following positions:
X:
L: 29° 20.42’N
Lon: 094° 44.70’W (275 yard radius)
Y:
L: 29° 20.44 ‘N Lon: 094° 44.26’W (250 yard radius)
Z:
L: 29° 20.47’N
Lon: 094° 43.21’W (275 yard radius)
These anchorages would be established and available for ATB vessels
requiring anchorage – but we acknowledge they may or may not be
LONE STAR HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE
WATERWAYS UTILIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE W ORKING GROUP
12 AUGUST 2013 MEETING REPORT
viable in all weather conditions. When deemed prudent for use, as
marked and charted features they would allow unfettered opportunity
for ATBs to anchor as conditions permit, but without the restrictions of
the federal anchorage or special anchorages.
It is recommended these marked chart features be accompanied by a
chart note advising the conditions under which the anchorages would
be managed by the Coast Guard. Upon approval by the Subcommittee
and ultimately the Full Committee, the Group will partner with
stakeholders to draft recommended language for the Notice to the
Federal Register for public comment.
The Group greatly appreciated the hospitality of MSU Texas City.
Proposed motions:
1) Approve or Reject recommendation to remove spoil area at Buoys 7 & 8 and
replace with hydrographic data.
2) Approve or Reject recommendation to create Anchorage 1A as specified above.
3) Approve or Reject recommendation to create ATB-only anchorages as specified
above.