Galveston-Texas City Pilots Honor Fallen Colleague with New Addition to Fleet

Oct. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- For More Information Contact: Katie Winslow, 281-650-1201

Galveston, TX – October 4, 2010 With a top speed of 29 knots, The Galveston glides through the open water with a grace and ease belying her size.  The Galveston is a remarkable vessel with the ability to stop within two boat lengths when operating at full speed and make a 360 degree turn while stationary.  She measures a full 70 feet long and more than 20 feet wide and was built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding.  The Galveston is a sister-ship to the Galveston-Texas City pilot boat Texas and was commissioned to replace the Gal-Tex.  The Texas, also built by Gladding-Hearn has been ably serving the Galveston-Texas City Pilots for the past five years.  Both the Galveston and the Texas were designed to handle the unique swells and chop of the waters the Galveston-Texas City Pilots service on a daily basis.  The Galveston-Texas City Pilots will be christening the Galveston as their newest pilot boat at 11 am, Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Cruise Terminal # 2 in Galveston, Texas.

On January 20, 2007, in a tragic accident, the Galveston-Texas City Pilot boat Gal-Tex capsized resulting in the loss of Capt. George “Robert” Frazier.  Robert was a Galveston native and was a pilot boat operator for the Pilots for 17 years.   His friends and colleagues remember that he was always dedicated, positive, friendly and willing to lend a helping hand. “The first thing he would always say to me is ‘tell me something good,’” said Wallace Hogan, Presiding Officer of the Galveston-Texas City Pilots.  The Pilots were very fond of Captain Frazier and chose to honor their friend’s memory and life by dedicating the Galveston to him and his family.

The Galveston will be officially introduced by the Galveston-Texas City Pilot’s Presiding Officer Wallace Hogan. After a blessing given by Father Alberto A. Maullon Jr., Captain Frazier’s widow, SyriAnne Frazier, will deliver the christening and break a champagne bottle against the Galveston.  “The tradition of christening a new vessel is considered to be a crucial part of ensuring the good fortune of voyages made by the craft.  The word christening means ‘to bring to Christ.’ Sailors kept the tradition alive by using red wine. Now we use champagne,” said Hogan.

Since 1845, the Galveston-Texas City Pilots have served as the Sentinels of the Ports of Galveston County, ensuring environmental and public safety by navigating each vessel and its contents without incident. They maintain professionalism by treating their customers with respect, while stimulating economic development within the Galveston community and the state of Texas.

Photo courtesy of Gladding-Hearn.