- Vision [1]
- HOGANSAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the transit of vessels
and products through Galveston Bay, and to and from the ports of Galveston, Texas City, and Houston, Texas. It provides the
Coast Guard with local expertise on such matters such as port security, communication systems, surveillance, traffic management,
anchorages, and other topics related to navigation safety in the port complex. It also provides advice on the operation of
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston (VTS). Issues relating to navigation safety in the Houston/Galveston
area are broad, diverse and of national and international importance, given the area's status as the nation's second-busiest
port and the world's second-busiest petrochemical port. HOGANSAC is the only advisory committee in existence that has the
local knowledge and experience to advise the Coast Guard on the important issues impacting navigation safety in the Houston/Galveston
area. HOGANSAC is both a valuable source of sound, expert advice, and a hands-on, productive group with influence among all
the stakeholders of the port community. The 19 members are all respected experts or mariners in the Houston/Galveston area
and consequently bring a broad range of experience and knowledge to Committee deliberations. Looking to improve the safety
of the Houston Ship Channel, HOGANSAC undertook several projects including the coordination a port-wide effort to bring electronic
navigation technology to the Port of Houston; nationally set the standard for the work of port security committees; examined
possible operating procedures changes to minimize the impact passing ships have on channel-side operations; evaluated boater
education initiatives as they relate to commercial vessel safety and navigation issues on Galveston Bay; increased the number
of Aids to Navigaton knockdown that are self-reported to the Coast Guard; recommended locations and policy for a new anchorage
and alternative channel in Bolivar Roads; and, identified possible procedural changes impacting the way channel closure requests
are handled by the Coast Guard.
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