Coastal Navigational Safety in Texas: A study of the causes of navigational accidents along the Texas coast with comparisons with Florida, and the United States

A study by Jenny Rodriguez and Philippe Tissot

The goal of this study was to assess overall navigational safety along the Texas Gulf coast, compare it with other parts of Texas as well as with navigational safety in Florida and in the rest of the United States. More specific goals included evaluating the possible impact of atmospheric and oceanic conditions on navigational accidents and identify possible locations where navigational safety could be improved. The report is addressed to coastal managers and coastal stakeholders at large and includes recommendations to continue to maintain and improve the good navigational safety record for Texas waterways.

This study was conducted in part thanks to funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Cooperative Science Center ECSC (Cooperative Agreement No: NA17AE1624^?). The following individuals' help was invaluable: Alfonso Campos, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department of Marine Enforcement, Todd George, Attorney, Texas Parks and Wildlife, James Rizzo, Director of Operations, TAMUCC-DNR, Monica Walker, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 7-11 Flotilla Commander, Lt. Edward Cates, Assistant Boasting Safety Coordinator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and all the participants that graciously participated in the study’s Navigational Safety survey.

Access to report

Access to related Power Point Presentation

Jenny Rodriguez and Philippe Tissot (2007) “Navigational Safety in Texas: A comparative study of causes of accidents between Texas, Florida, and the rest of the United States”, presentation at the Quarterly meeting of the Texas US Coast Guard Auxiliary, August 11, 2007 in Canyon Lake, Texas.