The Boat & Captain

Half Time, the 31 Ocean Master.

Captain Shannon LaBauve, USCG-licensed since 1995. The 31 ft Oceanmaster Half Time, top-to-bottom refit in 2023 with twin Suzuki 300s, full Garmin electronics, life raft, and satellite phone. Three decades on the same water with the same captain.

The Vessel

The 31 Ocean Master, top to bottom refit in 2023.

The 31 ft Ocean Master Half Time at the Galveston jetty, T-top with Garmin radar dome, twin outboards, two anglers on deck

Built in 2001 as a true offshore center console. Fully refit in 2023: new Mesa Grey paint, twin 300 HP Suzuki outboards, dual Seastar Ram steering, full Garmin electronics, new T-top, Minn Kota trolling motor with a 36-volt lithium battery. The boat that's been the office for thirty years got a working-life upgrade.

Length
31 ft
Make
Ocean Master
Type
Center console
Capacity
6 anglers max
Engines
2 x 300 HP Suzuki (2023)
Cruise
30 knots
Year built / refit
2001 / 2023
USCG / NOAA vessel
1109029
The Captain

Capt. Shannon LaBauve.

Capt. Shannon LaBauve holding two large black drum at the Galveston Yacht Basin

Capt. Shannon, dock at the Yacht Basin.

Born into a Lake Charles fishing family. Many of his relatives are professional fishermen and guides. Shannon has held a USCG captain's license for over thirty years and has been guiding out of Galveston Yacht Basin since 1995. ID and credentials verified on FishingBooker. Owner and operator of Half Time, on every trip. First mate Blake aboard for offshore runs and longer nearshore days.

That's the difference: same captain, same boat, same standards every trip. No mate running the show, no boss on the phone, no surprise crew change.

Federal Permits, 2026 renewal

NOAA Fisheries vessel permits, valid through June 30, 2027.

Federal Charter/Headboat permits for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish and Reef Fish, vessel 1109029. Issued by NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office and renewed in 2026, valid through mid-2027. These permits authorize federal offshore charters out to 60 miles for species like red snapper, kingfish, and wahoo.

Two NOAA Fisheries vessel permit decals, vessel 1109029, expires June 30, 2027

Both decals in hand, May 2026.

Permit 1 of 2
Gulf Charter/Headboat for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish
Authorizes charters for kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and other migratory species in federal Gulf waters.
Vessel 1109029, valid through June 30, 2027
Permit 2 of 2
Gulf Charter/Headboat for Reef Fish
Authorizes charters for red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and other reef species in federal Gulf waters.
Vessel 1109029, valid through June 30, 2027
Safety & Credentials

Verified, federally permitted, fully equipped.

Every trip departs with USCG-licensed captain on the helm, federally permitted operations, and the safety gear required for offshore work. Pulled directly from public verification on FishingBooker listing 8031 and the captain's records.

USCG-Licensed Captain Shannon LaBauve, USCG OUPV-Operator "6 Pack" license held for thirty-plus years, near coastal waters. ID and credentials verified on FishingBooker.
Federally Permitted NOAA Reef Fish and Coastal Migratory Pelagic permits, vessel 1109029, valid through June 30, 2027. Authorized for federal offshore charters out to 60 miles.
Vessel Documentation Texas reg 1109029. Six-passenger Coast Guard capacity limit. Center console, 31 ft Ocean Master.
EPIRB Beacon State-of-the-art emergency position-indicating radio beacon, registered with USCG. Activates a satellite-linked rescue signal in distress.
Life Raft & PFDs Eight-person SOLAS-grade life raft onboard. USCG-approved life jackets sized for adults and children, child-friendly trips age three and up.
Communications New 2023 VHF marine radio. Cellular plus offshore-range comms. Garmin GXM-54 weather antenna for live forecast on the water.
Navigation & Radar Garmin 1243 XSV GPS chart plotter, Garmin radar, fishfinder, live bait well. Dual Seastar Ram steering installed during the 2023 refit.
Insurance & Cancellation Commercial liability coverage on the vessel and operations. Free cancellation up to 30 days before any trip booked through the calendar.

Verifications cross-referenced with FishingBooker listing 8031, where Shannon holds the Angler's Choice Award and a 4.9-star rating across 1,020 verified trips.