Coast Guard reopens Houston Ship Channel after protest demonstration

The U.S. Coast Guard says it has reopened the Houston Ship Channel Friday after a protest demonstration near Baytown, Texas.

“Our partnerships with federal, state and local agencies as well as stakeholders allows us to quickly respond to any maritime safety concerns and mitigate impact to the waterway,” said Capt. Richard Howes, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston deputy commander. “The work of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office greatly supported the Coast Guard’s efforts to reopen the waterway to vessel traffic.”

The closure on the ship channel began Thursday morning after Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received notification that approximately 11 individuals were suspended from the Fred Hartman Bridge.

A Coast Guard Station Houston 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew, a Coast Guard Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark were launched to the scene.