Gulf Sailing Post BP Oil Spill

GULF SAILING POST BP OIL SPILL

New Orleans, LA
July 2010


Recently, Mike and Gina visited some of the marinas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to inventory facilities and judge the impact of the oil spill. When we visited (middle of June 2010) none had oil problems and all were eager for transient sailboats. When we checked back following the 4th of July holiday, the situation had changed. Most seemed unsure of what was happening and the harbormasters were meeting to determine what type of “decontamination procedures” (if any) would be used for boats entering their harbors. See Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, http://www.dmr.state.ms.us, as well as NOAA, http://www.noaa.gov, and Deepwater Horizon Unified Command, http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com for updates.

Although few sailors are eager to head out into the oily waters of the northern Gulf coast at this time, the information we collected from the marinas may be useful once the oil dissipates and we get our sailing lives back.

The following is information on the individual marinas as of July, 2010. Most are all near some eateries and groceries. The Biloxi marinas are next door to casinos, with all their positives and negatives. They all offer power and water. Most have pump-out facilities, fuel and restrooms with showers. Some have laundry facilities. Several are in the process of adding or expanding facilities, so call in advance to verify availability, facilities, fees, etc.

Pass Christian Harbor & Marina
Phone: (228) 452-5128 or 5129
Location: 30º 18.65’N 89º 14.97’W
Transients: $22 flat rate per night for most (as of 7/6/10)

Several shoal areas complicate entrance into the marina for sailboats or other boats with a draft of 4’ or more. There are two safe approaches to the marina, one if approaching from the east and one from the west. The approach from the west requires the greatest caution as several shoals must be avoided. Pay careful attention to charts and avoid Square Handkerchief Shoal, as well as the shoal that starts about a quarter mile in front of the marina entrance.

The entrance into the harbor is relatively direct and easy if approaching from the east. From the Marianne Channel lighted buoy 1 (approximately 30º 16.65’N, 89º, 09’W), head on a course of 293 m to the Pas Christian East Entrance Light 2 (30º 18.556 N 89º14.226W). From there, head on a course of 277ºto the Pas Christian Breakwater Light 4 at the entrance to the harbor.

Long Beach Harbor & Marina
Phone: 601-836-4795
Location: 30º 20.56’N 89º 08.515’W
Transients: $1 per foot

Entrance to the Long Beach Marina is relatively straightforward and safe. If approaching on the ICW from the east, turn to starboard on a course of 322º at the Cat Island Light 2. It is about 4.5 nm to the Long Beach Harbor Light 1 at channel entrance (located at 30º 20.43’N 89º 08.35’W). If approaching from the west on the ICW, turn to port on a course of 9º at the Marianne Channel Lighted Buoy 1. It is approximately 3.8 nm to the Long Beach Harbor Lights 1 and 2. Stay between the markers as it is shallow outside the channel. Even current NOAA charts show shallow depths in the harbor, but it has been dredged and is very useful.

Biloxi Small Craft Harbor & Marina
Next to Hard Rock Café & Casino
Phone: 228 436-4062
Location: 30º 23.46’N 88º 53.074’W
Transients: $1 per foot

For cruisers on the ICW, the most convenient entrance into the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor uses the Biloxi West Approach Channel. The channel entrance is at 30º 21.60’N 88º 54.16’W. The channel runs roughly north for about 1.5 nm then curves toward the east. The lights marking the entrance to the Small Craft Harbor are located between lateral markers 16 and 18.

Point Cadet Marina (Biloxi)
Phone: 228-436-9312
Location: 30º 23.38’N 88º 51.47’W
Transients: $1 per foot

Point Cadet Marina is located approximately 1.4 nm east of Biloxi Small Craft Harbor just off the Biloxi West Approach Channel, behind the parking garage for the Hard Rock Casino. The channel leading into the marina is located between Biloxi Channel Day beacons 26 and 28. Keep an eye on your depth sounder.

Jackson County Small Craft Harbor in Ocean Springs
Phone: 228-872-5754
Location: 30º 24.33’N 88º 49.31’W

The Jackson County Small Craft Harbor (Ocean Springs Marina) is just off the Biloxi East Approach Channel that leads to the Back Bay of Biloxi. If approaching the area from the west, you can use the Biloxi West Approach Channel and just continue past Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Point Cadet Marina until this intersects the east approach channel at the Biloxi East Channel light 26. From there, you cross the main channel and make a slight turn to port. You should see the Ocean Springs Channel Light 2 about a quarter mile ahead. Follow the Ocean Springs channel carefully and keep an eye on the depth meter, as it gets quite shallow on both sides.

If approaching from the east on the ICW, you can turn on a course of 296º from the Belle Fontaine Light 8 and proceed approximately 1.8 nm to the Biloxi East Channel light 2. From there, the channel initially heads due north. Follow it around until the Biloxi East Channel light 26, then turn to starboard on a heading of 36º to the Ocean Springs Channel Light 2. Again, follow the Ocean Springs channel carefully and keep an eye on the depth meter, as it gets quite shallow on both sides.