Being coastal dwellers and boat owners ourselves, we don’t envy the greater Galveston area as they prepare for the impending Tropical Storm Humberto. Recreational boaters are no doubt scrambling to secure their vessels. It doesn’t take a hurricane to do major topside damage to canvas and super-structure when caught unprepared, and of course inadequate anchoring, lines, or bumpers can ruin your day (or the day for other boats downwind of a loose vessel). Normally, tropical storms aren’t a big deal – but the potential for large-scale flooding, additional strengthening, and the short notice certainly raise the stress level for this storm.
Based on our AIS Vessel Tracking Feed provided by our partner VesselTrax.com, it’s clear that the Galveston area commerical shipping is starting to prepare for tonight’s expected landfall of Tropical Storm Humberto. Click on the image to see where multiple barges and other ships have started to anchor up in sheltered spots in-and-around the Galveston and Houston harbor areas. This image was taken early this afternoon.
To see the feed in Google Earth, activate it in our EarthNC Online Marine Maps for Google Earth feed (click in the checkbox square for Vessel Tracking in the Places menu).Our Google Earth feed is generally delayed 2-4 hours but it will be interesting to keep an eye on it through the night.
