Coast Guard advises mariners to take precautions as Tropical Storm Beta approaches Gulf Coast

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Office: 281-464-4810 After Hours: 832-293-1293 PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard advises mariners to take precautions as Tropical Storm Beta approaches Gulf Coast

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard is advising the maritime community to remain vigilant to weather forecasts for Tropical Storm Beta and to take the necessary precautions as this weather system approaches the Texas Coast.

Tropical Storm Beta is expected to impact the Texas Coast as early as Sunday.

Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

• Sector Houston-Galveston Port Directory page.
• Sector Corpus Christi, Texas Port Directory page.

The Coast Guard is reminding the public of these important safety messages:

• Stay off the water. Hurricanes and tropical storms can be deadly and our ability to conduct rescues can be diminished or non-existent at the height of a storm. Be prepared, stay informed and heed storm warnings.
• Be prepared. Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or to sustaining damage. Mooring lines should be doubled in case of high winds. Boats that can be trailered should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to remove EPIRBs and to secure life rings, life jackets, and small boats. These items, if not properly secured, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted and may put first responders in harm's way to ensure people are not in distress.
• Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public should evacuate without delay. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to rescue those in danger during the storm. 
• Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of the storm through local television, radio, and the Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF radio channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest information by visiting Ready.Gov and the NOAA National Hurricane Center website at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov. 

-USCG-