The Houston pilots have four boats: M/V HOUSTON, 62.2 feet long, M/V LONE STAR, 50 feet long, HOUSTON PILOT No.1, 54 feet long, and BAYOU CITY PILOT BOAT, 72 feet long. The boats have gray and blue hulls and white superstructures. The pilot boats display the International Code flag P by day and the standard pilot lights by night. The pilot boats motor VHF-FM channels 14 and 74, continuously; the pilot office monitors channel 74. The pilot boats call signs are WYR-8541, WG-6780, and WZR-984.9. The sound and visual signals are two long and three short blasts on the whistle or flashes on the signal light. The Houston pilots serve all ports above Texas city in Harris County.

The pilot boats come out when vessels are expected, and the pilots board at Galveston Bay Entrance Channel Approach Lighted Buoy GB. Vessels should maintain steer-age way and offer a good lee for the pilot to board. The pilots will advise vessels on the radiotelephone if special procedures are necessary. All pilots carry portable radiotelephones.

Pilots can be obtained with 8 hours advance notice to the Houston Pilots Telephone, 713-645-9620; telex 168711 HOUPILOTS or through the ships agents. The Houston Pilots would like the ship to call a least 2 hours before they arrive to the bay.

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