This MSIB is issued in order to provide awareness for the upcoming Dead Ship Tow of the Battleship USS TEXAS. The tow is scheduled to take place on August 31, 2022, from 6 a.m. through 9 p.m., at which time a Category I Channel Closure and moving Safety Zone will be established to ensure the safety of the tow and maritime public. The tow will initiate from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas and transit through the Houston Ship Channel into the Galveston Ship Channel to its destination in Galveston, Texas.
Sector Houston Galveston’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) will implement a 1,000 yard radius moving Category I Channel Closure during the duration of the tow. Vessels will not be permitted to meet, cross, overtake, or navigate within the closure while the Battleship USS TEXAS transits outbound, without authorization by VTS.
Additionally, Sector Houston Galveston will be implementing a 1,000 foot radius moving Safety Zone within the moving Category 1 Channel Closure. The Safety Zone will be actively enforced by a number of Coast Guard and other government agency assets. Vessels will not be permitted to enter the Safety Zone perimeter without coordination with VTS and authorization by the Patrol Commander (operating on Channel 16) leading the tow.
If for any reason the operation is delayed, VTS will suspend the channel closure and make notification to mariners on their ability to transit through the channel. If such a delay occurs, the operation will resume on September 1st. Sector Houston Galveston will release an updated MSIB notifying the maritime community that the same limitations noted above will be put in place.
For additional questions or concerns, please reach out to US Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston at 281-464-4767 or by email at houstonwwm@uscg.mil.
/S/
J.E. Smith
Captain, United States Coast Guard
Captain of the Port
Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston