Article and photo by Tami Newton

Two ferries, the “Fort Morgan” and the “Marissa Mae Nicole”, connect two of the Gulf Coast’s most beautiful and historic landmarks, Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island, with a scenic experience. The ferry ride is approximately 35 minutes, one-way, and offers a beautiful view of Dauphin Island, an assortment of oil rigs, and many different varieties of wildlife.

 Located at 110 Alabama Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan's construction began in 1819 and was completed in 1834. The brick fort was used during the Civil War, Spanish-American War and both world wars. It played a major role during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. It is operated by the  Alabama Historical Commission and offers guests a museum and gift shop.

 On the other side of the bay, and the ferries' starting point, is Dauphin Island—a barrier island located three miles south of the mouth of Mobile Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The island is approximately 14 miles long and one and three-fourths miles wide at the widest point. The eastern six miles are inhabited while the western eight miles are undeveloped and privately owned. Estimates indicate that there are about 1,300 permanent residents on the Island; the number of visitors soars during vacation and holiday times, especially for Mardi gras which continually grow in number each year.

 According to Neil Shanahan, director of Gulf Coast Operations, “We will only be running one boat every 45 minutes during the slow season, as opposed to the two ferries that run during busy season—generally the beginning of May through Labor Day in September, or as volume demands. On a good weekend, we transport approximately 1,400 per weekend. Right now, during the slow season, the 'Marissa Mae Nicole' will be heading to dry dock to make repairs, if needed. It is important to follow the one boat ferry schedule. It is just routine maintenance for the safety of our tourists. We’re expecting record numbers of visitors next season and are getting prepared now.”

 HMA Global Maritime-Alabama, Inc., is a contracted employee, hired to run the ferry system six years ago, Shanahan explained. He stated that, “This was a record tourism season for us especially after last summer’s BP oil spill which resulted in a business 50-70 percent decrease of passengers. The entire Island is designated as a bird sanctuary and thousands of visitors come to experience the annual migrations. A decrease in visitation and tourism was devastating to the small, island community.”

 He further explained that the, “'Marissa Mae Nicole' ferry is dry docked every two years while the 'Fort Morgan' ferry is only dry docked every five years due to their age differences.”

  According to first time visitors, David and Vicki Petsko, “It’s an amazing sight-seeing, and relaxing journey.” Vicki is a professor at University of Chattanooga and stated that they, “were making an attempt to visit all of the SEC college campuses and this ferry was one leg of their journey to the LSU campus.”

 But the ferries offer more than a transportation option.

  “It’s exciting being out on the bay because the Blue Angles practice almost every afternoon,” according to one shipmate aboard the “Fort Morgan” ferry.

 The natural gas fields found within Mobile Bay and the Alabama waters are the largest fields discovered in the continental United States, according to the signage posted on-board the “Fort Morgan”. Rates vary depending on one way or round trip visits. Frequent floater passes are available for purchase on the ferries or at our Dauphin Island office for the discounted rate.