PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Point Comfort
Pilot
updated Mar 2019Two Pilots are available throughout 24 hours with a third on standby if required.
Arrivals: Agents should contact pilots with vessel's ETA, LOA, beam and draught at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives. Pilots monitor VHF Ch 16 and 10 one hour prior to vessel's ETA but the station is not continuously manned; if the pilot boat or station cannot be reached masters should contact Port Lavaca/Point Comfort control tower on VHF Ch 16 or 07A.
The pilot boards 2nm SE of Matagorda Bay Lightbuoy (Safe Water) (28°21'21N 96°15'.35W).
Vessels requiring pilots should request pilot ladder instructions 1 hour before arrival on VHF Ch 10. Boarding speed 8kts required.
Vessels with a beam greater than 31.1m and LOA221m will be piloted during daylight hours only.
Departures and shifting: Agents are required to give 2 hours notice to the pilots.
Barges: Pilotage is compulsory for all large ocean going barges (OGB) navigating the Matagorda Ship Channel. OGB's in ballast may be towed while navigating the Matagorda Ship Channel but must have a tail boat capable of stopping the barge quickly in the event of an emergency.
Inbound: When sea conditions prevent the pilot from boarding the OGB, the pilot may, subject to Tug Master's agreement, guide the vessel from the pilot boat until it is safe to board. Outbound: When sea conditions offshore or in the approach breakwaters are too rough the pilot may disembark from the OGB before reaching the rough water and will guide the vessel from the pilot boat if requested by the Master of the OGB.
Key data
updated Jul 2024Size limits
LOA 209.86m, beam 35.01m, draught 9.97m, 50,922DWT.
Water density
1010-1012.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.91m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoa Point Comfort | — | 30 m | 3 |
| Calhoun Port Authority, Point Comfort | 9.97 m | 246 m | 5 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2024Approach
Matagorda Ship channel: From a position on the coastal route, in the vicinity of 28°11'N 096°04'W, the route leads NW for 16nm, within a safety fairway, passing clear of Matagorda Ship Channel Lightbuoy (safe water) (28°12'N 096°05'W) and Matagorda Bay Lightbuoy (28°23'N 096°17'W).
Then the track leads NW for 2.5nm to pass between the breakwaters at the entrance to Jetty Channel, then continues NW for 17nm to cross Matagorda Bay and part of Lavaca Bay, then N for 3nm to Point Comfort turning basin, within a dredged channel marked by light beacons and leading lights.
Local knowledge is required for entry.
Port Lavaca channel: From a position at the NW end of the NW/SE section of Matagorda Ship Channel the track leads NNW for 3.5nm to the basin, within a dredged channel, marked by lightbuoys and light beacons.
Side channel: Pass Cavallo (28°23'N 096°23'W) is a natural entrance to the S part of Matagorda Bay. The pass is obstructed by a bar which is subject to frequent changes in position and depth.
The port operates with a controlling depth of 10.9m and a channel 60m wide (project depth 11.6m). There are plans for increasing depth to 13.4m and channel width to 120m so that larger vessels can be accommodated. Current depths should always be checked with the Port Operations Director.
Anchorages
Northeastern anchorage: (Mid position, 28°21'N 096°11'W) in depths of 13m to 20m.
Southwestern anchorage: (Mid position, 28°18'N 096°15'W) in depths of 16m to 22m.
Caution: Both anchorage areas contain dangerous wrecks, platforms and submarine pipelines; the NE anchorage also contains a shallow suspended well.
Restrictions
All vessels with a draught within 0.3m of the current recommended maximum are restricted to daylight transit only.
All vessels with LOA 221m or more and/or beam 31m or more and a draught within 1.2m of the current recommended maximum draught are restricted to daylight transit only.
For current maximum recommended draught and hours for daylight restrictions refer to: http://www.matagordabaypilots.com.html.
Oversized or unusual type vessels will be handled only after specific agreement with the pilots.
Tugs
Berthing: All vessels will be berthed using two tugs subject to exceptions below.
Unberthing: The pilot may choose to use one tug at the Liquid Cargo Pier (N and S berths). Two tugs will be required at all other berths.
The pilot may reduce the number of tugs required if the vessel is equipped with adequate bow thruster. Additional tugs may be required during adverse weather, shoaling channels, basins etc.
Tugs used must be twin screw with minimum 3,000hp.
Mooring
Calhoun Multipurpose Dock: Fendered all the way along berth.
Charts and publications
BA 3849. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).
Inspections
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.
Port services
updated Jul 2024Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available
Stores: Provisions and limited stores available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Memorial Medical Center (8.5km).
Transport
Nearest international airport: Corpus Christi International Airport (135km).
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs.
About Point Comfort
updated Aug 2024Where it is
Point Comfort is located on the Gulf of Mexico approx midway between Corpus Christi and Galveston.
The port
The Point Comfort seaport in the United States features six public barge berths and a dedicated barge staging area, enhancing its bulk cargo handling capabilities. The infrastructure supports the loading and unloading of various types of barges and includes a barge staging area for efficient traffic management. The port's diverse berths handle a wide range of cargo, including general cargo, Ro-Ro, containers, project and heavy lift items, dry bulk and liquid bulk cargoes such as chemicals and petroleum. This setup plays a crucial role in facilitating goods movement and supporting the port's commercial activities.
Traffic
Approx. 4,900,000t of cargo and 300 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Point Comfort
What are the pilot arrangements at Point Comfort?
Two Pilots are available throughout 24 hours with a third on standby if required.
What time zone is Point Comfort in?
Local time at Point Comfort 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 Point Comfort?
The deepest berth listed is at Calhoun Port Authority, Point Comfort: 9.97 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Point Comfort?
1010-1012.
Which load line zone is Point Comfort in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Point Comfort?
Port State Control at Point Comfort: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Point Comfort?
The UN/LOCODE of Point Comfort is USPCR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Point Comfort 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.
Plan a route to Point Comfort →
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.