1. Port Agent, Houston Pilots
Dredging Your Docks 2014
JJ Plunkett
Port Agent, Houston Pilots

2. Houston Pilot Responsibilities
Protect interests of State of Texas
and citizens of Harris County by
safeguarding:
Waterway
Environment
Port infrastructure
Vessel, cargo, & crew

3. Houston Ship Channel Hydrographic Data

4. But last 50 to 70 yards are a mystery!
Routine
Hit & Miss
“Indication of
Shoaling”

5. Recommended Reading
Coast Guard Sector Houston Galveston Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 03-14
Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee “Best Practices for Berthing Area Surveys”

7. “Indications of Shoaling”
May be able to dock, or may have to find lay-berth
Impose a conservative draft restriction at dock
Require hydro survey be complete prior to adjusting draft restriction
Hydro survey: automated data acquisitioning system using a digital fathometer and a real time positioning system. The survey must show the dock lines as a reference and must be corrected to mean low tide (MLT).
Review soundings with Houston Pilots & discuss dock dredge plan

8. Questions?