Ship Island Excursions charts new course after COVID-19 and Cristobal

It’s been almost a week since Cristobal unleashed heavy rain and strong winds throughout our area, but some local businesses are still reeling in the wake of this tropical storm.

In the low 70s ...- it's been almost a week since - cristobal unleashed heavy - rain and strong winds throughou- our area, but some- local businesses are still- reeling in the wake of this - tropical- storm.- news 25's toni miles shows us - how one business- anchored here in south- mississippi for decades is- having to change- course in the wake of this - ye- another challenge - - spawned in 2020.- - "try to spread out from the others - you- know, the six feet rule?"

Captain louis skrmetta has been- at the helm of ship islands - excursions for 45 years-but 202- has marked uncharted- territory for this seasoned - seaman.

Captain louis skrmetta,- ship island excursions: "this i been one of the most- stressful years i've ever - experienced.

We've experienced- hurricanes, but - hurricanes usually come in at - the end of the season.

This - tropical storm came in- right at the beginning of our - peak tour season, which is goin- to be devastating for - our business."

<nats>- and there's been a lot of - explaining to do.

- <nats>- just ask these visitors who - stopped by friday in hopes- of catching a trip out to ship- island.

- captain louis skrmetta, ship- island excursions: "we got hit with the covid-19 - right at the beginning of the - season, so we were shut down al- the way through memorial- weekend.

Then we got the green- light to finally open on june - 10th, and then we got - hit with the storm right before- june 10th.

It's just been one - thing after another."

<covid> "as you know the dock was damaged, heavily damaged, - about 60- feet of pier missing.

The park- service is working as hard as - they can to repair it,- but it's going to take a while.- maybe, they're estimating six t- eight weeks.

We hope- that's not the case.

We hope we- can get a temporary fix and - maybe be in action- before the fourth of july.

It's- been a heck of a challenge for- the park service and our- operation to get back in- business."

Toni miles, news 25: "due to this latest challenge, ship - island excursions shifting- gears and adding a new, - additional course.

Starting nex- friday, they'll be- adding sunset cruises into thes- - - - dolphin watching tours."

Captai louis skrmetta, ship island - excursions: "the sunset cruise involves- a relaxing tour of the coast- line.

You'll see gulfport from- the water, which is - beautiful, at night, especially- with the lights.

Of course, - there will be a sunset right- around 8:30."

Until then, you can hop on boar- and take a dolphin viewing- cruise like angie story and her- four grandsons from missouri.

- angie story, tourist: "they've never been out on a big boat in- - - - the ocean, and they love to fis- at home in the regular boat, so- we decided to come out in the - big boat."

And starting next week, these - dolphin cruises will launch - daily - from the gulfport harbor at 1:3- pm... in the meantime, captain- skrmetta will be keeping his ey- - - - on the horizon hoping to be - freed up by independence day to- get trips - to ship island back up and- running again.- in gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.