HOUSTON — The
Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone in the Houston Ship Channel and
Galveston Ship Channel for the tow of the battleship USS Texas,
Wednesday, Aug. 31.
During the tow of the USS
Texas from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La
Porte, Texas, to a dry dock in Galveston, Texas, the Coast Guard Captain
of the Port will establish a safety zone to ensure the safety of the
public and security for all vessels in the channel. The tow is expected
to take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Vessels are not permitted
to enter into, transit through, moor, or anchor within 1,000 feet of
the USS Texas. No vessels will be permitted in the safety zone 30
minutes prior to, during, and 30 minutes after the event unless
authorized by the Coast Guard.
All
vessel operators desiring to enter any safety zone must obtain
permission from the Captain of the Port by contacting on-scene Coast
Guard patrol craft on VHF-FM channels 13 or 16, or the Coast Guard
Sector Houston-Galveston command center via channel 16. Violating these
zones is a felony offense. Boaters who enter these zones will be
escorted from the area immediately and may be subject to fines of up to
$250,000 and/or up to six years in federal prison.
Over
the last several months, marine safety experts from Coast Guard Sector
Houston-Galveston have been working in close partnership with the
Battleship Texas Foundation, Houston Pilots, Galveston-Texas City
Pilots, multiple state and local entities, and the Coast Guard’s Salvage
Engineering Response Team in preparation for the USS Texas transit. The
team reviewed and analyzed all aspects of the tow plan for the USS
Texas, ensuring adherence to the highest safety standards.
For updates on the USS Battleship visit The Battleship Texas Foundation.
