CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Packery Channel is a busy waterway for boaters such as Reel Deal Fishing Charters Capt. Andrew Neystel, who utilizes the channel on a daily basis.
"I was actually having a good time talking to my clients, looking at a fish picture, when all of a sudden I realized there is a root from the stump right in front of me and I barely moved out of the way," Neystel said.
Reports of a large tree floating in the Packery Channel came a day after an accident near Marker 37 that killed one man, shining a light on the need for caution on the water as Memorial Day Weekend approaches.
Neystel said the tree -- which is close to 50 ft. long -- was last spotted in the Packery Channel in front of the basin. Due to high tides in the area, only parts of it were visible.
"Right here is where the no wake zone ends and you're able to speed up," he said. "If that thing were to drift down here right when you engage the throttle and hit something like that, it would be bad news for everyone."
National Safe Boating Week kicked off Monday, leading US Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi officials to emphasize vigilance as boats that are familiar with and unfamiliar with the Coastal Bend descend on its waters for the long weekend.
"If you're zipping through the intercoastal waterway just know there could be things you can't see underneath the water, so be mindful of that," USCG Cmdr. Kristen Caldwell said.
Caldwell wants to heavily emphasizes Rule Six in the handbook of the Coast Guard which is navigating at a safe speed.
"Basically, don't go faster than you need to in order to stop in a safe amount of time," said Caldwell.
Lt. Commander Tony Garofalo, chief of waterways added, they currently have a call out for this particular hazard in the channel, to keep the maritime public aware of where it is.
"Recreational boaters play a critical role and can help identify when something is out of the ordinary and we encourage them to make reports through our command centers," Garofalo said.
The non-emergency line to call for USCG Water Division is: 1-800-874-2143. The emergency line is: 1-866-302-0587