VTS Houston Lesson One

Question 1

What major waterways comprise the VTSA?

Answer 1

1) Galveston bay entrance channel 2) Outer bar channel 3) Inner bar channel 4) Bolivar Roads channel 5) Galveston channel 6) Gulf Intracoastal waterway from mile 345 to mile 355 7) Texas city channel and turning basin , Texas city canal 8) Houston ship channel and turning basin 9) Bayport channel and turning basin

Question 2

What is the “1” reporting point?

Answer 2

“1” Galveston ay entrance Channel at LB 1B

Question 3

What is the “2” reporting point?

Answer 3

“2” Inner bar channel LBs 11 and LB12

Question 4

What are the reporting points in the Gulf Intracoastal waterway?

Answer 4

GICW MM345 and MM355

Question 5

What is the “E” reporting point?

Answer 5

“E” Bolivar land cut at GICW mile 349 (Gates)

Question 6

What is the “W” reporting point?

Answer 6

“W” Pelican cut at GICW mile 351

Question 7

What is the “G” reporting point?

Answer 7

“G” Galveston Harbor at Galveston channel LT 2

Question 8

What is the “T” reporting point?

Answer 8

“T” Texas City Channel at LT 12

Question 9

What is the “3” reporting point?

Answer 9

“3” Lower Galveston Bay at HSC LB 33 & LT 34

Question 10

What VTS surveillance equipment is located at Galveston?

Answer 10

CCTV, COMMS, RADAR

Question 11

What VTS surveillance equipment is located at Bolivar

Answer 11

CCTV, AIS

Question 12

What VTS surveillance equipment is located at Texas City

Answer 12

CCTV, RADAR

Question 13

What is the height of the Pelican Island bridge (Bascula drawbridge)

Answer 13

12’ / 75’

Question 14

What ferries operate in the Houston - Galveston VTSA (On the southern end)

Answer 14

The Bolivar Ferry operates betwen Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Harbor. It operates 24 hours a day and monitors VHF-FM channel 13. The maximum number of ferries are six.

Question 15

What are the rule for security zones with regard to cruise ships?

Answer 15

Vessels may enter within 500 yards of a cruise ship but not closer than 100 yards provided they operate at minimum safe speed necessary to maintian a safe course. No person, or vessel may enter withinb 100 yards of a cruise ship unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the port.

Question 16

What is the rule for security zone for Texas city?

Answer 16

The port of Texas City Channel, Turning Basin, and industrial Canal containing all waters bounded by the area south and west of a line drawn between Texas City Channel LT 19 through Cut B inner range front light and termionating on land in position 29 degrees 23 minutes 16 seconds North, 095 degrees 53 minutes 15 seconds West.

Question 18

What is located at LB1B?

Answer 18

Reporting point “1” Galveston Bay entrance channel

Question 19

What is located at LB 11 and LB 12?

Answer 19

Reporting point “2” Inner Bar Channel

Question 20

What is located at milemarker 345?

Answer 20

It is reporting point GICW MM 345

Question 21

What is located at GICW mile 349?

Answer 21

Reporting point “E” Boliver land cut at GICW mile 349.

Question 22

What is located at milemarker 355?

Answer 22

Reporting point GICW MM 355.

Question 23

What is located at LT 2?

Answer 23

Reporting point “G” Galveston Harbor at Galveston Channel LT 2.

Question 24

What is located at LT 12?

Answer 24

Reporting point “T” Texas City Channel at LT 12.

Question 25

What is located at HSC LB 33 and LT 34?

Answer 25

Reporting point “3” Lower Galveston Bay at HSC LB 33 and LT 34.

Question 26

What is located at HSC LT 69 and LT 70?

Answer 26

Reporting point “4” upper Galveston Bay at HSC LT 69 and LT 70.

Question 27

What is located at LT 8 and 9?

Answer 27

Reporting point “P” Bayport Ship Channel at LT 8 and LT 9 (Bayport landcut)

Question 28

What is located at HSC LT 91?

Answer 28

Reporting point “5” Morgan’s Point at HSC LT 91.

Question 29

What is locarted at LT 122?

Answer 29

Reporting point “6” HSC at LT 122.