Texas Pilot Notes
Heavy offshore winds can create extreme Caution: Vessel traffic can be heavy. Car
currents that override normal tidal move- ferries to Bolivar Penninsula run 24 hours,
ments. Similarly, abnormal high tides drain- departing from Galveston at the landing
ing out of the bay during heavy onshore immediately S of the CG station with little
breezes create very dangerous, breaking seas warning.
over the bar at the jetty ends. Anchorage: In Galveston Harbor, anchor
Vessel Traffic Service: Commercial ship- in 8-12ft between ferry landing and concrete
ping, large passenger vessels, dredges and sea wall bordering Galveston Yacht Basin.
floating oil equipment are required to report The bottom is soft and anchorage subject to
in. Yachts should monitor for traffic informa- ship wakes. Alternatively, proceed up Bolivar
tion. Roads to the GIWW and turn W at Pelican
Landmarks: A 400-foot tall office building Cut. Follow the GIWW through the Galves-
near the E end of Galveston Island. ton Causeway. Respect the fixed markers
Waypoints
which indicate the channel leading SSE to
Galveston Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy GA
Offatts Bayou.
Bridges: The Pelican Island Bridge crosses
29 09.5N, 94 25.9W Mo (A) W 7M Red/White
the W end of Galveston Harbor between
stripes w/ red spherical topmark. High-intensity flash: Fl
Galveston Island and Pelican Island. The bas-
W 2.5s.
cule span has 12ft clearance closed and 75ft
Galveston Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy GB
when the single-leaf bridge is open; Use cau-
tion. Restricted hours of operation; call on
29 18.4N 94 37.6W Mo (A) W 7M Red/White
VHF 13. An overhead power cable E of the
stripes w/ red spherical topmark.: Fl W 2.5s.
bridge has a clearance of 85ft.
Three, 1.75nm-long causeways cross the
Galveston: 29 19N, 94 47W
GIWW at the SW corner of Galveston Bay.
(see charts on next three pages)
The Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge
Pilotage: From the Galveston jetties In-
has a bascule span with 7ft closed clear-
ner Bar Channel near Marker 16, turn S into
ance (bridgetender: VHF16, 10). Twin fixed
Galveston Harbor between the CG station
bridges 0.1 mile SW of the rail bridge have
and Seawolf Park (modern white pavilion),
vertical clearances of 73ft.
respecting Marker 1. Pass the CG station,
Port of Entry: Customs 713-454-8000; Im-
ferry landing and anchorage, then round the
migration 409-766-3581; wait at Galveston
concrete breakwater to locate the Galveston
Yacht Basin Fuel Dock
Yacht Basin fuel dock. After clearing cus-
Dockage/Moorings: Available at Galveston
toms, vessels can proceed up the bay by reen-
Yacht Basin and Harbor House. At Offatts
tering the Galveston-Houston Ship Channel
Bayou, mooring space can sometimes be
near marker 16 or move to the anchorage or
found at Moody Gardens. Look for the docks
marinas on Offatts Bayou (see below).
at the foot of the pyramids.
Fuel: Gasoline and diesel at Galveston
Yacht Basin
Supplies: Most supplies available.
Services: Two boatyards provide repair and
haulout services.
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