Comments on: Sea Life Aplenty in Port Aransas

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:15:48 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Gil. Travel adventures like this were why we started our website – we just had to share our experiences!

Admittedly, our focus has changed a bit lately. We are definitely traveling less during the year but we haven’t given it up completely. There is still too much of this amazing country that we have yet to explore! And when we do, rest assured, we’ll be sure to post our adventures here on fautrever.com.

By: Gil

Gil — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:17 +0000

This is the reason I read fautrever.com. Marvelous post.

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:16:55 +0000

Thanks Sandra for your comment. I appreciate the information regarding the tankers. As one that was intimately involved with the ship channel, I value your input.

It sent me scuttling to double-check my resources and I can see where the confusion lies. There really isn’t a clear definition of tanker or super tanker.

I am sticking with the “Super” designation since there is so much overlap between conventional and super tankers (see below). Also, supertankers could, technically, use the ship channel if only partially loaded, which does happen.

“Conventional tankers [are] of generally less than 100,000 DWT and 40 feet or less draft… Tankers over approximately 25,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT up to around 150,000 DWT are generally referred to as supertankers and have loaded drafts in excess of 40 feet, but they may enter certain U.S. ports partially loaded. And to further explain, there are VLCCs that can hold 150,000 DWT to 300,000 DWT with drafts between 60 and 80 feet. Then there are the ULCCs with over 300,000 DWT and drafts of 80 feet to 100 feet.”*

“Note that there is no strict technical definition of VLCC, ULCC or supertanker.” *

Design of Marine Facilities for the Berthing, Mooring, and Repair of Vessels by John Gaythwaite

By: Sandra Mitchell

Sandra Mitchell — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:18:10 +0000

I enjoyed your article about your stay in Port A. I hope you don’t mind, but as a past resident of Port A and past Office Manager of the Ferry Operation, I must comment on your statement regarding the “Super” tankers going through the ship channel. Super tankers are not permitted to enter the ship channel due to their depth requirements. They are required to anchor a way out. What you saw were regular tankers and cargo ships passing through. It is a beautiful site to see these ships passing through and watching the dolphin as they playfully run with the ships as they pass.

By: behind AotW » Blog Archive » Blogger takes week off; Earth remains in stable orbit

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:45:20 +0000

[...] Thanks to Lance and Erin for the pointer to Port A. We’ll let you know! [...]