Jim McIntyre Maverick

 

I give credit to Tom Campbell on Magic Reunion who wrote "the TMCA Story" for the tenth anniversary, as this article incorporates some of his history.

TEXAS M ARINERS CRUISING ASSOCIATION
PO Box 946
Kemah Tx 77565
4 Feb. 1998 Mr. Dalton H. Krueger, P.E.
Manager, Houston Ship Channel Project
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District

Dear Mr. Krueger:

As you may recall, Texas Mariners Cruising Association is comprised of  approximately 675 members who actively pilot a variety of privately owned sail and motor driven yachts on the waters of the Galveston Bay System. I, and those among our membership who have worked most closely with you and your staff, appreciate this opportunity to provide input in the process of fine tuning portions of the plan for improving the Houston Ship Channel.

TEXAS M ARINERS CRUISING ASSOCIATION
PO Box 946
Kemah TX 77565
Feb. 5 1998 Chairman Ned Holmes
Port of Houston Authority

Dear Mr Holmes:

Thanks for listening to the concerns of the pleasure boating community.  Texas Mariners Cruising Association is a 675 member organization of  sailors and power boaters who share Galveston Bay with the Port of Houston.  While I don't speak for the 10,000+ pleasure boaters in the area in any official capacity, I am confident that my message is endorsed by the majority of boat owners, and by the boating industry.

TEXAS M ARINERS CRUISING ASSOCIATION
PO Box 946
Kemah TX 77565
Sept 21,1999 Nick Lampson
US House of Congress

Dear Nick,

I write to ask your support, advice and counsel on the matter of restoring Red Fish Island in Galveston Bay.  Long before the Houston Ship Channel there was Redfish Island. The 1851 map of Galveston Bay on display at the Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston shows a group of islands named the Redfish Islands where recently Redfish Island was located.

Phil Gramm
Texas

UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510-4302

October 6, 1999

Mr. Ed Herndon
Past Commodore
Texas Mariners Cruising Association
2951 Marina Bay Drive #130-469
League City TX 77573

Dear Mr. Herndon:

Thank you for your recent letter regarding your support for rebuilding Redfish Island in
Galveston Bay. I appreciate your bringing this matter to my attention.

Plan Seeks to restore part of 'sunken' Redfish Island

By Eric Berger
Houston Chronicle
October 30,1999

Redfish Island, once a popular refuge for recreational boaters on Galveston Bay, was largely blown away during Hurricane Alicia and gradually receded until it now lies a few feet underwater.

The Port of Houston said Friday it plans to change that.

Ode to Redfish
by Ed Herndon, Remedy
November 1999

Long before the Houston Ship Channel there was Red Fish Island. It was a mile long and thirty yards or so wide. It was outcropping of oyster shell reef in the middle of Galveston Bay. There was an abundance of vegetation on the island. It was mostly scrub brush, but it also had some cedar trees and other tough and hardy underbrush.  It was a nesting place for many waterfowl including the very colorful roseate spoonbill. More important from a boaters perspective it was a marvelous destination for a week end sail.  It was safe to get to... No need to cross the Houston Ship Channel.

HISTORY OF RECENT TMCA ACTIONS TO REBUILD REDFISH:

by Dan Wyatt, 2000 Commodore
Texas Mariners Cruising Association (TMCA)
May 10, 2000

Ed Note: "Dan's complete account of TMCA's efforts on this important issue. Originally prepared for the May 2000 TMCA General Meeting."

Gene Schwantes Presentation to TMCA Jan 19,2001

Gene Schwantes, Owner of Windward SeaVentures, is a member of the HOGANSAC committee and represents the interests of the recreational boaters at their meetings.  He spoke to TMCA at the January meeting.

Three Main points were covered.

New Redfish Island Proposal

Update by Capt. Gene Schwantes

November 2001 Mariner"s Log

the status of the reconstruction of Red Fish Island, has changed a little. It previously had been reported that this reconstruction would begin sometime in November and be completed in time for the 2002 boating season. This has changed some due to complication with the attempt to include this work in the contract for the Mid Bay disposal site. It is no longer part of that contract.