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NAVOPLAN

Port Intelligence Brief

Houston, United States

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64 Verified Intelligence Items

64Verified
Intelligence

28Official
Sources

93%Overall
Confidence

📍

CoordinatesN 29 45' .0000"
W 95 16' 59.9988"

⚓

Harbor ProfileGulf of Mexico; North Atlantic Ocean
Size: Large

🛂

EntranceTidal Range: .00 ft
Depth: 45.92 ft

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Port StatusPort of Entry: Yes
Shelter: Good

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Last UpdateJun 28, 2026
09:30 ET

🧭 Approach & Entrance 7 items

🛟 Shelter & Refuge 6 items

⚠ Local Cautions 6 items

🛒 Crew Rest & Resupply 5 items

☎ Harbor / Authority 6 items 🔒

📡 Contacts & VHF 7 items 🔒

🛥 Marinas 6 items 🔒

⛽ Fuel & Utilities 7 items 🔒

🛂 Clearance & Formalities 6 items 🔒

🚑 Medical & Emergency 8 items 🔒

1 - 10

Current Briefing

Approach & Entrance

Houston approach intelligence includes pilotage, entrance channel depths, harbor communications, traffic density, anchoring restrictions, and operational cautions for arrival planning.

1 - 1

Verified Intelligence

Charting Authority

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

NOAA Office of Coast Survey is the U.S. charting authority for the Houston/Galveston approach.

95% Confidence

Sailing Directions / Approach Cautions

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

U.S. Coast Pilot 5 (Gulf of Mexico)—Galveston Bay/Houston Ship Channel; cautions for strong cross-currents at the entrance and shoals (Red Fish Bar).

95% Confidence

Vts / Reporting Area And Scope

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

USCG VTS Houston-Galveston covers the Houston Ship Channel from the seabuoy to Buffalo Bayou; VTS is mandatory and has published reporting points/user manual.

95% Confidence

Channel Authorized Depths And Widths (Controlling Depths)

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

Houston Ship Channel: main part ~45 ft depth, 530 ft width (Bolivar Roads to Boggy Bayou); Galveston Entrance reported as 47 ft x 800 ft in USACE project documents.

95% Confidence

Vts Precautionary Areas / Reporting Points (Approach Coordinates)

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

Coast Pilot table lists precautionary areas: Bolivar Roads center 29°20.9'N 94°47.0'W (radius 4,000 yd) and Red Fish Bar 29°29.8'N 94°51.9'W (4,000 yd).

95% Confidence

Local Notices / Operational Restrictions (Examples)

Official Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

Coast Guard Local Notice / MSIB: VTS-directed restrictions (e.g., no midstream barge reconfiguration in specified Galveston Channel sector; restrictions at Texas International Terminals).

92% Confidence

Pilotage (Operator & Legal Basis)

Operator Source · Verified Jul 01, 2026

Houston Pilots Association provides/state-licensed pilotage for Harris County ports; pilotage is provided as required by Texas law.

90% Confidence