Galveston

Size limits

LOA 360m, beam 50.0m, draught 12.1m, 163,216DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.49m on outer bar, 0.43m on inner bar.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Approach is made from the E by dredged channels through the entrance to Galveston Bay. Entry is made within the confines of the channel banks between Galveston Island and Pelican Island at Fort Point. Port facilities are situated 9.3nm from the open sea.

Federal project dimensions for Galveston Channel are depth 12.2m, width 328-343m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The USCG operates a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in the area of Houston - Galveston, participation is mandatory.

Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS): Within the VTS a VMRS has been established to manage and track vessel movements within the VTS area, and is compulsory for the following:

Power driven vessels of 40m or more in length, while navigating.

Towing vessels of 8.0m or more, while navigating.

Vessels certificated to carry 50 or more passengers for hire, when engaged in trade.

The VTS Area is divided into two sectors as follows:

Sector 1: The navigable waters S of the line extending due W from the southern-most end of Exxon Dock No 1 (29°43.4'N 095°01.3'W).

Sector 2: The navigable waters N of a line extending due W from the southern-most end of Exxon Dock No 1 (29°43.4'N 095°01.3'W).

Anchorages

In Galveston Bay, small craft can anchor anywhere outside of the dredged channels where the depth is sufficient.

Caution: During the winter months, the water in the bay may be lowered as much as 0.9m by a northern wind, and vessels should anticipate this when selecting an anchorage.

Restrictions

Bridges: The W end of the Galveston Channel is closed to all but coastal traffic by a Bascule Bridge, vertical clearance of 22.9m when lifted.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

BA 3183, 3854, 3849, 3850; NOAA 11324. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Request for pilots should be made 1.5 hours prior to arrival.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Pilot station & pilot boats: Ch 14, 16; 73. Tel: +1 409 740 3336. Fax: +1 409 740 3393.

NW Gulf Federal Pilots: Ch 13, 16, 68, 69, 72. Tel: +1 409 781 5522. Fax: +1409 842 5345. Email: [email protected].

Vessel Traffic Scheme (VTS): Sector 1: Ch 12; Sector 2: Ch 11; Secondary: Ch 13, contact "Houston Traffic".

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Health officials usually inspect vessels at berth.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

Maintenance and repair of vessels and drilling rigs, area of 3,251m².

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available, advance notice required.

Medical

Nearest hospital: John Sealy Hospital, 2.8km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Scholes International Airport, 9.2km.

Nearest railway: BNSF Railway, 4.8km.

Working hours

Order before 1700hrs for 0700hrs or 0800hrs following day. During the day can be ordered at 2 hours notice. Gangs must be ordered by 1700hrs on Friday for Saturday, and Sunday for Monday mornings. For holidays, gangs must be ordered before 1700hrs on the working day before the holiday.

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. All other hours, and all hours on holidays, overtime.

Where it is

The Port of Galveston is located at the mouth of Galveston Bay along the Upper Texas Coast in Galveston County.

The port

The port owns and operates for hire, public wharves, transit sheds, open and covered storage facilities, warehouses and freight handling facilities; land and facilities are also leased to others. Principal imports include wind power equipment, fruit, agricultural equipment, machinery, vehicles, fertiliser and lumber. Principal exports include grain, containers, machinery, vehicles, paper and fuel.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo, 24,000TEU, 900 vessels, 700,000t of grain and 600,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Galveston?

Pilot boards near Galveston Bay Entrance Channel Approach Lightbuoy 1C and 2C, (29°18.00'N 094°37.36'W).

What time zone is Galveston in?

Local time at Galveston is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Galveston?

The deepest berth listed is at Gulf Sulphur Services: 12.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Galveston?

1025.

Which load line zone is Galveston in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Galveston?

Port State Control at Galveston: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Galveston?

The UN/LOCODE of Galveston is USGLS.

What crews who called at Galveston say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Galveston →