Port Corpus Christi out of action until 4 September

In a statement on its website, Port Corpus Christi said: “PCCA (Port of Corpus Christi Authority) continues working toward achieving normal business operations by September 4th.”

However, it stated that power has been restored to most PCCA facilities.

Corpus Christi Ship Channel (Ship Channel) is closed for a seventh day as port operators monitor Hurricane Harvey.

Restricted operation

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is maintaining condition “Zulu” for all areas of the Ship Channel, but it has issued a modified Zulu status for the inner harbour to allow for vessels with up to 20 feet draft to operate.

The port said it is coordinating with federal, state, and regional agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the USCG, to expedite hydrographic surveys of the Ship Channel to identify shoaling areas as a result of the hurricane.

Surveying efforts have been hampered by weather conditions, but as weather improves, it is anticipated the remaining areas of the Ship Channel which require surveys will be completed in the next 48 hours.

The port said that port police and security teams are maintaining all primary security access control points and are on patrol at all inner harbour facilities. They are also supporting recovery operations at Ingleside and Port Aransas.

Houston remains closed

Port Houston said on its website: “All Port Houston facilities will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30th due to the weather impact across Houston.

“We will be continuing to monitor weather conditions to determine when operations can safely resume. At this point no indications from the U.S. Coast Guard on when the Houston Ship Channel will reopen for vessel transits.”

On its Facebook profile, it stated: “Port Houston will continue to be responsive to the Pleasantville community, regarding the soil washout that our neighbors have observed near the Glendale dredge site.”

It said that the dredge site, which is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is inactive.

It believes the washout stems from a leaking underground pipe draining rainwater from the site.