Title 33

SECTION 161.70

161.70 Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur.

§ 161.70 Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur.

(a) The VTS area consists of the navigable waters of the United States to the limits of the territorial seas bound by the following points: 30°10.00′ N., 92°37.00′ W.; then south to 29°10.00′ N., 92°37.00′ W.; then west to 29°10.00′ N., 93°52.25′ W.; then northwest to 29°33.70′ N., 94°21.25′ W.; then north to 30°10.00′ N., 94°21.25′ W.; then east along the 30°10′ N. latitude to the origination point.

Note:

Although mandatory participation in VTS Port Arthur is limited to the area within the navigable waters of the United States, prospective users are encouraged to report at the safe water marks in order to facilitate vessel traffic management in the VTS Area and to receive advisories or navigational assistance.

(b) Precautionary areas.

Table 161.70(b) - VTS Port Arthur Precautionary Areas

Precautionary area name Radius Center point
latitude		 Center point
longitude
Petco Bend (1) 2000 yds 30°00.80′ N. 93°57.60′ W.
Black Bayou (1) 2000 yds 30°00.00′ N. 93°46.20′ W.
Orange Cut (1) 2000 yds 30°03.25′ N. 93°43.20′ W.
Neches River Intersection (1) 2000 yds 29°58.10′ N. 93°51.25′ W.
Texaco Island Intersection (1) 2000 yds 29°49.40′ N. 94°57.55′ W.
Sabine-Neches Waterway N/A All waters of the Sabine-Neches Waterway between the Texaco Island Precautionary Area and the Humble Island Precautionary Area.

1 Precautionary Area encompasses a circular area of the radius denoted around the center point with the exception of the Sabine-Neches Waterway.

(c) Reporting points (Inbound).

Table 161.70(c) - Inbound

Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/
longitude		 Notes
1 Sabine Bank Channel “SB” Buoy Sabine Bank Sea Buoy 29°25.00′ N.
93°40.00′ W.		 Sailing Plan Report
2 Sabine Pass Buoys “29/30” Sabine Pass Buoys “29/30” 29°35.90′ N.
93°48.20′ W.
3 Port Arthur Canal Light “43” Keith Lake 29°46.50′ N.
93°56.47′ W.
4 North Forty GIWW Mile 279 North Forty 29°56.40′ N.
93°52.10′ W.
5 FINA Highline Neches River Light “19” FINA Highline 29°59.10′ N.
93°54.30′ W.
6 Ready Reserve Fleet Highline Channel at Cove Mid-Point 30°00.80′ N.
93°59.90′ W.
7 Sabine River MM 268 268 Highline 30°02.20′ N.
93°44.30′ W.

(d) Reporting points (Outbound).

Table 161.70(d) - Outbound

Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/
longitude		 Notes
1 Sabine River Light “2” Black Bayou 30°00.00′ N.
93°46.25′ W.
2 Ready Reserve Fleet Highline Channel at Cove Mid-Point 30°00.80′ N.
93°59.90′ W.
3 FINA Highline Neches River Light “19” FINA Highline 29°59.09′ N.
93°54.30′ W.
4 GIWW Mile 285 The School House 29°52.70′ N.
93°55.55′ W.		 Zone Shift
5 Port Arthur Canal Light “43” Keith Lake 29°46.50′ N.
93°56.47′ W.
6 Sabine Pass Buoys “29/30” Sabine Pass Buoys “29/30” 29°35.90′ N.
93°48.20′ W.
7 Sabine Bank Channel “SB” Buoy Sabine Bank Sea Buoy 29°25.00′ N.
93°40.00′ W.		 Final Report

(e) Reporting points (Eastbound).

Table 161.70(e) - Eastbound (ICW)

Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/
longitude		 Notes
1 GIWW Mile 295 ICW MM 295 29°47.25′ N.
94°01.10′ W.		 Sailing Plan Report
2 North Forty GIWW Mile 279 North Forty 29°56.40′ N.
93°52.10′ W.
3 Sabine River MM 268 268 Highline 30°02.20′ N.
93°44.30′ W.
4 GIWW Mile 260 260 Highline 30°03.50′ N.
93°37.50′ W.		 Final Report

(f) Reporting points (Westbound).

Table 161.70(f) - Westbound (ICW)

Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/
longitude		 Notes
1 GIWW Mile 260 260 Highline 30°03.50′ N.
93°37.50′ W.		 Sailing Plan Report
2 Sabine River Light “2” Black Bayou 30°00.03′ N.
93°46.18′ W.
3 GIWW Mile 285 The School House 29°52.71′ N.
93°55.55′ W.		 Zone Shift
4 GIWW Mile 295 ICW MM 295 29°46.20′ N.
94°02.60′ W.		 Final Report

(g) Reporting points (Offshore Safety Fairway).

Table 161.70(g) - Offshore Safety Fairway

Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/
longitude		 Notes
1 Sabine Pass Safety Fairway - East East Dogleg 29°35.00′ N.
93°28.00′ W.
2 Sabine Pass Safety Fairway - West West Dogleg 29°28.00′ N.
93°58.00′ W.
[78 FR 51671, Aug. 21, 2013, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30881, June 28, 2019]