(a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship between Galveston Bay Approach Lighted Buoy “GB”, at approximate position 29°14′44″ N., 094°32′41″ W. [NAD 83] and up to, and including, Barbours Cut. These zones remain in effect during the inbound and outbound entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored.
(b) Regulations.
(1) Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless authorized as follows.
(i) Vessels may enter within 500 yards but not closer than 100 yards of a cruise ship provided they operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course.
(ii) No person or vessel may enter within 100 yards of a cruise ship unless expressly authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston. Where the Houston Ship Channel narrows to 400 feet or less between Houston Ship Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy “18”, light list nos. 23900/36055 at approximately 29°21′04″ N., 094°47′00″ W. [NAD 83] and Barbours Cut, the Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston may permit vessels that must transit the navigable channel between these points to enter within 100 yards of a cruise ship.
(iii) Moored vessels or vessels anchored in a designated anchorage area are permitted to remain within 100 yards of a cruise ship while it is in transit.
(2) Vessels requiring entry within 500 yards of a cruise ship that cannot slow to the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course must request express permission to proceed from the Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston, or his designated representative.
(3) For the purpose of this section the term “cruise ship” is defined as a passenger vessel over 100 gross tons, carrying more than 12 passengers for hire, making a voyage lasting more than 24 hours, any part of which is on the high seas, and for which passengers are embarked or disembarked in the United States or its territories.
(4) The Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston will inform the public of the moving security zones around cruise ships via Marine Safety Information Broadcasts.
(5) To request permission as required by these regulations contact “Houston Traffic” via VHF Channels 11/12 or via phone at 281-464-4837.
(6) All persons and vessels within the moving security zone shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston and designated on-scene U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel. On-scene U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.
(c) Authority. In addition to 46 U.S.C. 70034, the authority for this section includes 46 U.S.C. 70116.
[COTP Houston-Galveston-02-010, 67 FR 64048, Oct. 17, 2002, as amended by USCG-2014-0410, 79 FR 38448, July 7, 2014; USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44286, July 27, 2015]