Ship Island reopens after Tropical Storm Cristobal damaged pier
Ship Island has been reopened after being closed since June 5 as a result of Tropical Storm Cristobal.
The ferry pier on the south side of the island required repairs after Cristobal hit southeastern Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast on June 7.
The island resumed regular operations as of Wednesday, but Fort Massachusetts will remain closed.
The repairs made so far are temporary, and a contract for permanent repairs has been awarded to the National Park Service. Work is expected to start in mid-August.
As with most tropical storms, Cristobal also affected the shape of the island. Ship Island Excursions owner Louis Skrmetta said on Facebook a new beach has formed in front of Fort Massachusetts and the nearby pier, on the north side of the island, is now covered in sand. He also said ferry service will resume this week.
The other islands part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore were reopened by June 12, without facilities, but damage to the ferry pier at Ship Island delayed its reopening.
Ticket prices, schedules and other information about the Ship Island ferry can be found at www.msshipisland.com. The ferry runs seven days a week through mid-August, and then run Wednesday-Sunday for the remainder of the season.
