National Park Service News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Robert Harris
October 21, 2005 228-875-9057

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE REOPENS SECTIONS OF WEST AND EAST SHIP ISLANDS

Park Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that East Ship Island has been reopened to the public for day use (8am-5pm) only after being closed due to damages from Hurricane Katrina. “East Ship Island is the only island open to the public,” said Eubanks.

The park staff reminds the boating public to be very careful of the high amount of debris in the water plus the movement of sand changing the depth of water. Although debris was removed, the visitors should be careful of additional marine trash that has floated onto the island. Debris piles are staged on the island for later removal and visitors should stay away from those. Fires will not be allowed on the island because of the high fuel load and dry weather conditions. Boaters should always keep an eye on the weather and observe changing sea conditions.

West Ship Island, Cat, Horn, Spoil and Petit Bois Islands remain closed until further notice. Island sections on the offshore islands will reopen to the public after they are cleaned and inspected for hazardous debris. The offshore waters within the Gulf Islands National Seashore boundary (one mile around Petit Bois, Horn, and East and West Ship Islands) are open.

For more information contact, please call the park at 228-875-9057 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/guis.