Port of Brownsville Boat Trip

When Susan and I have an opportunity to be out on the water we usually jump at the chance. While at the Rio Grand Valley RV Show one of the exhibitors was Breakaway Tours. For $40 they offered a tour which included the Port of Brownsville shipping channel, Brownsville Shrimp Basin, dolphin sightings, and birds. After a short discussion with our friends we decided it would be a great opportunity not to mention fun. So, I was left with the task of wheeling and dealing a better price. Not sure how that task was bestowed on me but it was. I was able to get the 4 hour boat trip down to $30 each. They were all happy so we signed up. Did I mention it included lunch which consisted of all you can eat shrimp. Oh, and all the beer you can drink. I knew this would be the highlight of our friend Bob's trip.

It was a typical Texas winter day bright, sunny, windy, and cool. That did not deterred any of us, we just dressed like Canadians.

The first interesting point was the start or end, depending on which way you're headed, was the intracoastal waterway. This waterway is a series of canals, inlets, bays, and rivers that runs the length of the eastern seaboard from Norfolk, VA to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf of Mexico from Apalachee Bay, FL to Brownsville, TX. The concept of an intracoastal waterway was first introduced in 1808. Travelling these navigational routes either by commercial barge or pleasure craft provides a safe environment away from the hazards of the open sea. The entire intracoastal waterway involves a journey of over 3,000 miles.

Shortly after leaving the dock the beer was flowing and everyone was having a good time. I abstained since drinking and boating do not go together for me. As we left the dock I was amazed at how shallow the water was. Some places it was a foot others 2 feet. However, the actual shipping channel has an authorized depth of 42 feet. The turning basin is 36 feet deep and has a width of 1,200 feet. Enough room for these big boys to turn around. This one was empty.

As we passed this big ship navigating the channel I was amazed at the tidal wave it was creating. No wonder all the birds were following it out to sea. It stirred up all the sea life creating an easy meal.

Our tour took us into the Shrimp Basin. This is where approximately 250 shrimp boats call home when they are not out shrimping in the Gulf. These larger boats are out to sea for 50-60 days at a time and away from home 220-240 days of the year. Each boat holds 10,000-20,000 gallons of diesel fuel. This Gulf shrimp boat was in dry dock.

Many of the boats stay in the water to be fixed or completely overhauled. Most of the boats are out in the Gulf fishing. When they are in we were told that they are 3 & 4 deep tied up at dockside.

After touring the shrimp basin our Captain took us out into the shipping channel where we had lunch which consisted of Gulf shrimp, corn, roasted potatoes, salad, buns, and more beer. The food was okay. Being out on a cool day everything was cold plus the shrimp was way overcooked.

As we continued on into the shipping channel we were told that taking pictures was a no-no. Something to do with the Border Patrol, the Harbour Patrol, and every other patrol you can think of. So I was able to take a picture before entering into the no-picture zone. All these old naval ships are being broken down for scrape metal including the aircraft carrier from the movie Top Gun, the USS Ranger. At this point my heart fell out of the boat. This is my all time favorite movie. To know that the ship no longer exists...the movie will never be the same. I'm sure I will get over this trauma. You can see her in the background. One big hunk of scrape, I'm crying inside.

On our return trip we entered the intracoastal waterway travelling the channel between Port Isabel and Long Island. The only way across to the gated community of Long Island is via a "swing bridge". The swing bridge in its closed position allows vehicle traffic to cross over the waterway onto the island. Open position vehicular traffic is stopped allowing water traffic to continue along the intracoastal waterway. The Long Island swing bridge has been operating continuously since 1950.

As our tour drew to an end we were able to see some dolphins playing in the water. If you have ever tried to take a picture of dolphins you can understand why there are no pictures. Most of the time you get a whole lot of nothing. Here's a picture of South Padre Island skyline somewhere there's a dolphin under water.