1 June - 30 November

The 2025 Hurricane Season officially started on June 1, 2025. All facilities and vessels in the Houston-Galveston Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone are encouraged to review their severe weather plans and begin preparations for the hurricane season.

Sector Houston-Galveston has five Port Conditions within our Hurricane and Severe Weather Plan. As the COTP, when severe weather approaches, I intend to issue Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) and other broadcasts declaring the Port Condition for vessels and facilities. The five Port Conditions are:

Port Condition Whiskey:   72 hours prior to arrival of tropical storm conditions;

Port Condition X-Ray:      48 hours prior to arrival of tropical storm conditions;

Port Condition Yankee:    24 hours prior to arrival of tropical storm conditions;

Port Condition Zulu:         12 hours prior to arrival of tropical storm conditions;

Post-Storm Recovery:        COTP will set after a storm has passed once the situation allows.

VESSELS: All commercial vessels shall follow the Heavy Weather Port Conditions listed below. Since harbors along the Gulf coast may not provide adequate safe refuge for approaching storms, I may direct all capable sea-going vessels to make timely departures from port ahead of Tropical Storm conditions, as necessary. A “Declaration of Intent to Remain in Port” is required for any vessel over 500 gross tons requesting to remain in port.

Following a storm’s passing, and the port is reopened, vessels returning to port are required to resubmit a Notice of Arrival as per 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 160, and this office will rescreen each vessel prior to reentry. Post storm, vessels may also be required to fill out the “Vessel Post Storm Self-Assessment Checklist.”

FACILITIES: All regulated commercial facilities shall follow the Heavy Weather Port Conditions

listed below. All containers, storage tanks, pallets, and other items/equipment that could create a

risk/hazard in a high wind environment shall be secured, in accordance with regulations, industry standards, and best practices. At each port condition set by the COTP, each waterfront facility is required to report port condition attainment.

Post storm, waterfront facilities will be required to report conditions of their docks, berths, wharves, and pier as soon as practical using the “Facility Port Storm Self-Assessment Checklist”.

All documents (checklists, forms, etc) mentioned in this MSIB can be requested from Sector Houston-Galveston’s MTSRU. Please contact Sector Houston-Galveston MTSRU via HoustonMTSRU@uscg.mil if you have any questions.