Arriving Vessels
Please note, the pilot station for Matagorda Bay is not continuously manned.
The Pilot Station and Pilot Boats monitor VHF channels 10 and 16 US up to one hour prior to arrival.
If the pilot boat or pilot station cannot be reached by VHF, please contact the Point Comfort Control Tower on VHF Ch 07A.
Pilots request that all agents with vessels arriving contact the pilots directly, by telephone, with a twenty-four (24) hour notice prior to arrival. A four (4) hour notification is then required should the vessel already be at anchor awaiting pilot.
Please have any CII-EEXI mechanically installed governors removed prior to entering the Matagorda Ship Channel. Please see OPERATIONS page for additional details.
Additional Instructions
ARRIVING:
Pilot Boats:
The Pilot Boat “Karankawa” is 50 feet long, has a black hull, black floatation collar, and white superstructure.
The Word “PILOT” is printed in large red letters on each side of the superstructure.
The Pilot Boat “Mata-Pilot” is 27 feet long, with an orange floatation collar and white superstructure.
The Word “PILOT” is printed in large orange letters on each side of the superstructure.
Instructions:
The pilot boat or pilot station will give instructions to arriving vessels for:
Pilot Ladder Height
Speed and Course
Boarding Location
NOTE TO MASTERS:
Vessels should not approach any closer than two miles from the “MB” Buoy unless otherwise instructed by the pilots.
STRONG cross currents, a narrow entrance, and shallow water will place your vessel in danger.
Boarding Location
Chart is NOT to be used for navigation.
Pilot Boarding Location:
Pilots will board vessels 2 nm, SE of the Entrance Buoy, “MB”
Position:
Latitude: 28 21.651′ N
Longitude: 096 15.243′ W
US CHARTS 11316 and 11317
NOTE TO MASTERS:
Vessels should not approach any closer than two miles from the “MB” Buoy unless otherwise instructed by the pilots.
STRONG cross currents, a narrow entrance, and shallow water will place your vessel in danger.
Boarding Location
Chart is NOT to be used for navigation.
Pilot Boarding Location:
Pilots will board vessels 2 nm, SE of the Entrance Buoy, “MB”
Position:
Latitude: 28 21.651′ N
Longitude: 096 15.243′ W
US CHARTS 11316 and 11317
NOTE TO MASTERS:
Vessels should not approach any closer than two miles from the “MB” Buoy unless otherwise instructed by the pilots.
STRONG cross currents, a narrow entrance, and shallow water will place your vessel in danger.
Pilot Ladder
Pilot Ladder Alone
- Pilot Ladders should be rigged 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots).
- The Pilot Ladder should be clean and dry. Free of oil, grease, or chemicals.
- The Pilot Ladder should be inspected for cracks in steps and spreaders, and frays in the rope.
- Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
- The area at the top of the ladder should be free of obstructions.
- NO Manropes.
- Please have ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night.
Combination Arrangement
- A Combination Ladder should be prepared for the pilot when the freeboard of the vessel exceeds nine (9) meters.
- When rigging a Combination Ladder, the vessel should ensure the gangway is no closer than four (4) meters (roughly 12 feet) above the water. The pilot ladder should be 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots).
- Both the gangway and the pilot ladder should be secured to the side of the vessel by lashing them to the pigeon holes. Should the vessel not be equipped with pigeon holes, magnets should be used on the side of the hull.
- Please ensure the platform at the bottom of the gangway is properly secured with its correct pin.
- Please ensure the ladder is clean and dry in good condition with no cracks in the steps or spreaders, and the rope is not frayed.
- The area at the top of the gangway should be free of obstructions.
- Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
- Please have the gangway and ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night.
Pilot Ladder
Pilot Ladder Alone
- Pilot Ladders should be rigged 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots).
- The Pilot Ladder should be clean and dry. Free of oil, grease, or chemicals.
- The Pilot Ladder should be inspected for cracks in steps and spreaders, and frays in the rope.
- Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
- The area at the top of the ladder should be free of obstructions.
- NO Manropes.
- Please have ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night.
Combination Arrangement
- A Combination Ladder should be prepared for the pilot when the freeboard of the vessel exceeds nine (9) meters.
- When rigging a Combination Ladder, the vessel should ensure the gangway is no closer than four (4) meters (roughly 12 feet) above the water. The pilot ladder should be 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots).
- Both the gangway and the pilot ladder should be secured to the side of the vessel by lashing them to the pigeon holes. Should the vessel not be equipped with pigeon holes, magnets should be used on the side of the hull.
- Please ensure the platform at the bottom of the gangway is properly secured with its correct pin.
- Please ensure the ladder is clean and dry in good condition with no cracks in the steps or spreaders, and the rope is not frayed.
- The area at the top of the gangway should be free of obstructions.
- Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
- Please have the gangway and ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night.
Master Pilot Exchange
