Obstruction in Kemah Channel

[STuma]

Some of you might have seen the FB thread about an obstruction in the Kemah channel in between markers 5 and 6.

From someone who hit the obstruction, the coordinates are 29° 32.991'N and 095° 0.463'W. 

I have seen posts about prop blades being broken off to hull damage.  I have reached out to one of our divers to see if they would be willing to dive it and find out what it really it. From the coordinates, it appears to be center of the channel.

[SeaGypsy]

Scott -
Can you say when you hit this obstruction, i.e. time and date?  Was the tide very low at the time you hit it?

See Phillip Kropf's post on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/475834575950536/photos/pb.475834575950536.-2207520000.1551210735./1047646992102622/?type=3&theater

Two different side-scan sonar surveys of the area were done on Feb 25 by Teichman Group, and on Feb 24 by US Army Corps of Engineers and neither survey was able to find anything.  They are both quick to say they can't absolutely rule out a obstruction buried partially in the mud, but they couldn't find it.

Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy
Recreational Boater Representative
Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee

[STuma]

Scott -
Can you say when you hit this obstruction, i.e. time and date?  Was the tide very low at the time you hit it?

See Phillip Kropf's post on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/475834575950536/photos/pb.475834575950536.-2207520000.1551210735./1047646992102622/?type=3&theater

Two different side-scan sonar surveys of the area were done on Feb 25 by Teichman Group, and on Feb 24 by US Army Corps of Engineers and neither survey was able to find anything.  They are both quick to say they can't absolutely rule out a obstruction buried partially in the mud, but they couldn't find it.

Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy
Recreational Boater Representative
Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee

I have not hit it... someone else claims to have. I've heard a couple of stories about it.. one from a sport fisher.

[STuma]

I saw a post on FB about someone who hit it. they claim it is a demasted sailboat that is 200-250 yards inland of Marker #5. They claimed to have seen the stanchions and lifelines.

Be careful my friends...

[Frayed Knot]

I just saw this thread, I hit this about a year ago, the Knot draws just short of 6', I don't remember the date but I do remember the water was pretty low. No damage but a quick hard hit, there is a mention in the 2018 Waterway Guide about a "unmarked wreck of an old iron barge just south of #5" on page 707.  It's on the south side of the channel, but definitely in the channel, as I recall.