THEODORE, Ala. — All sightseeing cruises at Bellingrath Gardens and Home have been cancelled for the remainder of the summer. Alabama Cruises, owner and operator of the Southern Belle, has been recruited by BP to help with the recovery effort on Dauphin Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard-certified vessel that can carry up to 150 passengers will be ferrying clean-up crews to and from the west end of the island.

Bellingrath hopes to resume river tours in mid- to late-September. The 45-minute cruise departs from Bellingrath Gardens between March and November, and offers visitors a relaxing and educational tour along the Fowl River.

Unique wildlife and birding habitats can be witnessed on the river, as well as a wonderful view of the Bellingrath Home.

At this time, all tours of the Gardens and the Bellingrath Museum Home are available for visitors.

The attraction will continue its normal hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Bellingrath will continue to work closely with the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau and other area attractions to disseminate timely information to tourists who plan to visit Bellingrath and the Gulf Coast.

For more information about Bellingrath, call (251) 973-2217.