Sabine Pass (USNSS)

Sabine Pass is comprised of two LNG Terminal's (Sabine Pass LNG and Golden Pass LNG) and is one of the few deepwater ports along the Gulf of Mexico suitable for handling LNG.

Summer.

Sabine Pass is located along the Gulf Coast. It is the natural outlet of the Sabine Lake into the Gulf of Mexico. The port consists of two LNG terminals: Golden Pass LNG Terminal - located approx. 8.6nm S of Port Arthur (see separate entry) in Jefferson County, Texas on the Sabine-Neches Waterway. Sabine Pass LNG Terminal - located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, adjacent to the existing regasification facilities, less than 3.4nm from the Gulf Coast.

LOA 345m, beam 55m, draught 12.2m, 151,915DWT.

Sabine Pass LNG Terminal handled 57 vessels.

Due to the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, on the E side of the Sabine pass Channel, the anchorage has been reshaped to allow more manoeuvring area for the arrival/departure of LNG vessels. The co-ordinates of the anchorage are as follows: ..... Latitude Longitude 29°44.14'N 093°52.24'W 29°44.18'N 093°52.06'W 29°43.53'N 093°51.47'W 29°43.32'N 093°51.52'W

From a position in the approaches to Galveston Bay, in the vicinity of 29°09'N 094°26'W, the route leads NE for 32nm, then ENE for 13nm, within a safety fairway, clear of charted obstructions to a position in the vicinity of 29° 32'N 093°43'W, off Sabine Pass. The pass forms the interstate boundary between the States of Texas and Louisiana, is 3.7nm long and dredged to a depth of 12.19m, with no tidal restrictions. Sabine Bank Channel is that part of the route which lies N of Sabine Bank Lightbuoy, maintained to a depth of 12.19m and not subject to tidal limitations.

BA 3192, 3850, 3854. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

Sabine Coast Guard station (29°43.702'N 093°52.295'W), on the W side of the pass 5.5nm above the entrance, has search and rescue facilities and may provide lookout, communication and/or patrol facilities to assist vessels in distress.

Pilotage is compulsory and is supplied by the Sabine Pilots Association, who cover the areas of Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont and Orange. The Pilot Station maintains a 24 hour continuous watch on VHF Ch 12, and on 2738kHz R/T. Vessels should send requests for pilots at least 4 hours in advance. LPG vessels, whether loaded or in ballast, should also forward their ETA or ETD at least 4 hours in advance to the Captain of the Port (COTP), Port Arthur, Tel: +1 409 724 4330. ..... Pilot boards at the following positions: (i) 29°25.00'N 93°40.31W Near Sabine Pass Fairway Lightbuoy SB (ii) 29°35.72'N 93°48.31W Near Sabine Pass Channel Lightbuoy No 29

PORTS: The port uses the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, which integrates real-time environmental observations, forecasts and other geospatial information. It measures and disseminates observations and predictions of water levels, currents, salinity, and meteorological parameters (e.g., winds, atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) that mariners need to navigate safely. Tanks (29°44'N 093°52'W). Lighthouse, Sabine Pass (29°43'N 093°51'W). Radio tower (29°43'N 093°51'W).

Participating vessels can contact the Vessel Traffic Service by calling "Port Arthur Traffic" on VHF Ch 01A, 63A, 13 or 16 or call the Watch Supervisor by Tel: +1 409 719 5070. Coordination Service: Area: The Sabine Bank Channel, Sabine Pass, Port Arthur Canal, Sabine Neches Canal and the Neches River. Reporting: Vessels transmitting in the area are requested to report on VHF Ch 20 to the Sabine Pilots Dispatcher, when passing the following positions: ..... 1. Sabine Bank Channel Lt Buoys Nos 29 & 30 (29°36.0'N 093°48.2'W) 2. Port Arthur Canal Lt No 40, Mesquite Pt (29°45.6'N 093°53.9'W) 3. Port Arthur Turning Basin, Taylor Bayou (29°50.7'N 093°58.1'W) 4. Sabine-Neches Canal Lt No 65, Neches River Junction (29°58.0'N 093°51.4'W) 5. Neches River Lt No 40, McFadden Bend Cutoff (30°00.9'N 094°00.1'W) Vessel Traffic Service: Area: The VTS area is divided into two areas: ..... 1. Above the School House at MM (Mile Mark) 285 Gulf Intra-coastal Waterway (GIWW). 2. Below the School House at MM (Mile Mark) 285 Gulf Intra-coastal Waterway (GIWW). Vessels should shift to the appropriate VHF Channel when moving from one area to the other. Procedure: ..... 1. Participation in the VTS is mandatory for the following: a) Power driven vessels of 40m or more in length b) Towing vessels of 8.0m or more in length while towing c) Passenger vessels certificated to carry 50 or more passengers 2. The following vessels should monitor the appropriate VTS VHF Channel: a) Power driven vessels of 20m or more in length b) Towing vessels of 8.0m or more in length c) Vessels over 100GT carrying 1 or more passengers for hire 3. Vessels should provide a Sail Plan to the VTS 15mins prior to entering the VTS area, stating the following information: a) Vessels name b) Location c) Destination d) Dimensions (LOA and number of barges loaded/empty) e) Maximum draught Airdraught g) Certain dangerous cargoes (CDC) carried 4. Vessels should immediately notify the VTS when the Sail Plan changes. 5. Participating vessels should report to the VTS at the following Reporting Points (Vessels fitted with AIS are exempt from providing these reports). a) When getting underway or mooring within the VTS area b) On passing MM260 GIWW c) On passing MM295 GIWW d) On passing Sabine Bank Channel Lt buoys 11/12 (29°29.4'N 093°40.5'W) e) When approaching within 5nm of the Sabine Bank Channel 6. Occasionally, the VTS will request a vessel to provide a Position Report by calling in at a reporting Point along its route. The VTS will always specify where or when to report, and the vessel will provide the following: a) Vessels name b) Location 7. Vessels should again provide this information in a Final Report when docking or leaving the VTS area. Port Arthur Traffic broadcasts information twice every hour, H+25 and H+55. The location of all vessels navigating with the VTS area is given. Additionally, the following information is reported: ..... 1. Waterway restrictions in effect 2. Channel hazards 3. Known aids to navigation discrepancies 4. Significant weather information When vessels check in to the VTS area, Port Arthur Traffic will provide traffic and waterway information for the vessels current position and intended route. Vessels should listen to the next Broadcast Advisory for details. Vessels may, and are encouraged to, request a Traffic Advisory at any time during their transit through the VTS area. Only vessel traffic information will be provided. EMERGENCIES: In the event of a waterway emergency or VTS sensor failure, the VTS will broadcast instructions to all participating vessels.

Four dedicated tugs are stationed at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal to ensure safe and timely escorts by crews specifically trained to berth LNG vessels. These tugs can be found moored at 29° 44.673'N 93° 52.126'W. Mooring for tugs is also available at the Golden Pass LNG Terminal at 29° 45.943'N 93° 55.606'W.

..... PILOT VESSEL: VHF: Ch 14, 13, 16 and 20 (24hrs) Call: "Sabine Pilot", "Sabine Pilot 2" or "Sabine Bank Pilot" SABINE PILOT Tel: +1 409 7223126 Fax: +1 409 9629223 Email: pilots@sabinepilots.com Web: http://www.sabinepilots.com VTS: VHF: Ch 01A (Below Mile Mark 285 GIWW) Ch 65A (Above Mile Mark 285 GIWW) Call: "Port Arthur VTS" or "Port Arthur Traffic" Tel: +1 409 7195070 (24hrs) +1 409 7195086 (office hours) Fax: +1 409 7195090 Web: http://www.uscg.mil/d8/vts/portarthur VTS OPERATIONS: Email: vtspa_sup@msoportarthur.uscg.mil VTS ADMIN: Email: vtspa_support@msoportarthur.uscg.mil

For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.