Texas Pilot Notes
Clear Lake: 29 33N, 95 01W
Clear Creek 2
Pilotage: Vessels bound up the bay to Clear
Lake, 20sm from Galveston, may either fol-
29° 33.15N, 94° 59.55W Fl R 6S
low the Houston Ship Channel by running Port of Entry: Entry at Galveston is strong-
on the 12ft depth barge shelf near the mark- ly recommended.
ers or, preferably, parallel the channel about Dockage/Moorings: Approximately
1.5sm E in lower Galveston Bay. Exit the 20 marinas are located here, many with
channel near Marker 26, head N until well country-club-like facilities. Many are within
into the bay. Turn NNW, sail 10sm to South walking distance to restaurants, groceries,
Boater Cut Light 1. and shops.
Note: The Trinity River Channel spoil area Anchorage: Anchor in 6ft on Clear Lake
indicated on the NOAA chart no longer exists in areas not indicated as spoils. Boating
along this course. At 1, turn to 259°, cross the traffic on Clear Lake is extremely heavy,
Ship Channel, respect South Boater Cut Light especially on weekends and in peak season,
8. Follow 277° for 4.0 miles to Clear Creek and anchoring can be potentially hazardous
Marker 2. Follow the channel markers SSW because of high-speed boats. Anchor well
into Clear Creek and Clear Lake. away from marked channels and use a bright,
Do not transit the bay during darkness; deck-level anchor light. A small, noisy and
many unlighted and uncharted obstructions enclosed anchorage may be found in 10ft
exist. The charts depths for Clear Lake un- near the floodgate between Blue Dolphin
derstate the available water in normal condi- Marina and Seabrook Shipyard. Current is
tions by several feet. Shipping traffic is heavy. substantial here.
Monitor VHF 13 / 12 for pilot information. Fuel: Diesel and gas available at Lakewood
Landmark: Ferris wheel and observation Marina, Seabrook Shipyard, and South Shore
tower on S side of entrance to Clear Creek. Marina. Gas only available at a few other
Waypoints
marinas.
South Boater Cut Light 1
Supplies: Extensive.
Services: Three repair and haulout facilities.
29° 32.60N, 94° 53.20W
Regulations: Clear Lake has been desig-
South Boater Cut Light 8
nated a “zero discharge” area, and holding
tanks for head discharge are now required.
29 32.40N, 94 55.10W
Portable toilets are allowed only on vessels
smaller than 26ft.
Galveston to Brazos Santiago
Matagorda Ship Channel Approach
Lighted Whistle Buoy MSC
Tides p. 501, Differences p. 536
28 12.0N, 96 05.2W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
Currents p. 672, Differences p. 713
stripes w/ red spherical topmark. RACON M (– – ).
Pilotage: W of Galveston, the coastline is
mostly straightforward beach. Oil drilling Freeport
equipment is still present, though less dense Pilotage: Follow Safety Fairways to FP;
than to the E. There are several small inlet Follow course 312°M to Markers 7 and 8 at
passes, most of which are only passable by jetty ends. Even relatively shallow-draft ves-
small boats and not recommended without sels should remain within the marked chan-
local knowledge. nel. Turn NE into GIWW at Marker 12, pro-
Safe haven can be found via the passes at ceed past Surfside Bridge (fixed, 73ft). Bridge
Freeport, Matagorda and Brazos Santiago, Harbor Marina on NW bank.
though in most cases, it may be necessary to Night entry is made difficult by large vol-
travel inshore to find facilities and towns. ume of background lighting. The jetties are
Waypoints
quite short and easy to miss. Numerous well-
Freeport Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy FP
heads and platforms are in the approaches to
Freeport.
28 52.6N, 95 14.1W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
stripes w/ red spherical topmark. RACON N (– • )
220