Local Knowledge
Emails, notices and articles about local navigational issues.  Virtual-Harbormaster makes no claim to have verified the information listed below.  We would not knowingly publish suspect information but we cannot verify the validity of the information.  In any case, it is the responsibility of the captain of any vessel to safely navigate his vessel.  This information is presented for informational purposes and to encourage further investigation by any interested parties.

Harbor House Marina Diagram
          This is a diagram of the small marina next to Harbor House Hotel on the Galveston Channel.  A small marina with
little room to maneuver your boat.  10 feet of water, floating docks, shore power and water.  Great location close to the Strand.  Reasonable dockage fees and you get a free continental breakfast in the hotel every morning. 409-763-3321


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Redfish Island Update and photo from November 2002

Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 05:24 PM
Subject: Safety Update, Mid Bay Dredging and Redfish Island Reconstruction

Dear Galveston Bay Waterway Users,

Vessel operations on the Houston Ship Channel have become somewhat less stressful the past few
weeks with the completion of activities at the north boater cut and the redredging of Five Mile
channel.  The dredge Tom James remains on temporary suspension of dredging in the Bayport
Channel awaiting expansion of capacity in the placement areas near Atkinson Island.

Dredge 506 remains at work loading scows along the Houston Ship Channel (HSA) in the vicinity of
Light 61. The tug Thomas makes continuous trips 24 hours a day, seven days a week, transporting
the barges to an offshore placement area just outside the Galveston jetties in over 40 feet of water.
Congestion and several near misses were reported while the 506 was operating near Light 51.
Houston Pilots and Weeks Marine personnel report traffic is moving somewhat easier at this location
than near beacon 51, but boaters are advised to continue exercising caution when transiting the area
and avoid it whenever possible. Boat operators should monitor VHF channels 12 and 13 (ships and
tow do not monitor 16 in the HSC) for latest vessel traffic information on the channel and keep a close
lookout for tow and ship movements.

Plans for rebuilding Redfish Island are proceeding according to schedule.  Bids were opened in
February, and pre-award certifications are currently proceeding.  Official award should occur soon,
assuming no problems arise.  The contractor has 30 days to begin work after award.

For more
boating safety information concerning the Mid Bay project, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil/so..
 

Dan Wyatt
Chief, Safety & Occupational Health
Galveston District
US Army Corps of Engineers

                                                                                                                       Scuttlebutt
 

Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 07:52 PM
Subject: Redfish Island Reconstruction Contract Awarded

Dear Galveston Bay Waterway Users,
 

Efforts expended over the past five years to reconstruct Redfish Island came to fruition today when the
reconstruction contract was awarded this morning to Luhr Brothers Construction Co.  The company has 30
days to begin work on the 232-day project.  The new island will be approximately 2600 feet long from north to
south and constructed from fist-sized limestone with a gravel beach to allow vessel pull-up in an emergency.
There will be a 1000-foot long east-west breakwater on the south end that will create approximately 35 acres
of anchorage 6 feet or deeper at Mean Low Tide.  The island will extend approximately 7 feet above sea level.

To view maps and cross sections of the new island, visit the Galveston District Safety Office website at
www.swg.usace.army.mil/so.

Dear Galveston Bay Waterway Users,
The following announcement has been posted on the Galveston District Safety Office web page at www.swg.usace.army.mil

Listed below for your information are the coordinates of the two boater cuts on the east side of the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) that are part of the Mid Bay dredging contract.  The purpose of these channels is to give waterway users access into and out of Trinity Bay.
The north boater cut, which lies between Lights 70 and 72, is completed but not officially open for use until it is redredged after the installation of the Mid Bay placement area some time next year and marked by the US Coast Guard. The Corps of Engineers makes no guarantees as to the present condition of the north cut and users do so at their own risk.  Boaters are urged to avoid use of the cut for safety reasons once contractors begin work on the placement area, which is currently estimated to be December 2002 or January 2003.  Once construction of the Mid Bay placement area starts, the existing crossing at Light 68 will be permanently closed.  Prior to that time, we anticipate that a new 300-foot wide boater cut near Light 62 will be constructed.  We will request the Coast Guard to mark the south cut as soon as it is dredged.
Note that coordinates are given in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

North Boater Cut
Intersection with HSC:      29-34-58.29       94-56-02.51
East end of cut:                29-35-31.44       94-55-06.11

South Boater Cut (not yet dredged)
Intersection with HSC:      29-32-30.10       94-54-08.54
      East end of cut:                29-32-37.12       94-53-12.50
 
 

                                                              Scuttlebutt