Calling all Fort Pickens-bound campers
NPS approves charter boats for water taxi service
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Captain Bubba Thorsen prepares to dock the custom-built "Katelyn" at Day Break Marina on Bayou Chico in Pensacola. The Katelyn, designed and built by Thorsen and his son, is Coast Guard approved for voyages up to 100 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Curious to see how well Fort Pickens withstood Hurricane Ivan's wrath?

Residents who don't own boats or don't want to hike to the remote Civil War-era fortification now have another option: Water taxi.

Charter boat captain Bubba Thorsen was issued the first permit from the National Park Service (NPS) May 24 to run a water taxi service to the isolated campground and structures. The park has only been accessible by boat or foot since Hurricane Ivan destroyed Fort Pickens Road in 2004.

"I wanted to offer more services to my customers," said Thorsen, who also offers fishing and sightseeing trips on his two boats, the 65-foot Chulamar and the 26-foot Katelyn.

Thorsen registered his smaller craft, Katelyn, for the transport service and said he would charge $25 per person for the complete trip. Thorsen also said he wants six passengers minimum, per voyage. The captain added that trips would leave from either Bayou Chico or Pensacola Beach and would last between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the location of departure.

As of Thursday, May 31, Thorsen had not ferried any passengers to the fort.

Although the custom-built Katelyn was the only boat to complete the registration process as of the same date, she may have some competition in the water in the very near future. Three other potential providers were named in documents forwarded by park officials, including: Reel Eazy Charters, Aquatic Charters and Captain Brian O'Sullivan.

The Gulf Island National Seashore's Deputy Superintendent Nina Kelson said at least a dozen more providers have shown interest in the ferry service commercial use authorization permit.

"These three have actually submitted the application back to us to provide the service; we have developed the permit and sent it out to them for signature and other required paperwork," Kelson wrote in an email. "I'm sure we will be receiving the applications back from at least some of the others, but haven't yet."

Ray Engle with Gulf Breeze Boats is one of those interested parties, but he wants to do more than just transport people back and forth from the island.

"I hope to take people there and provide them with electric bikes and Segways, if I can get approval," said Engle. "I'd like to set up a Segway guided tour."

The permit for the transport service alone cost $200, is regulated by the NPS and Coast Guard and requires applicants to procure a protection and indemnity liability insurance policy for $1 million. The permit is good for two years or until a permanent contract is developed, whichever comes first.

Gulf Islands park Superintendent Jerry Eubanks said a permanent ferry service is something his department has been planning for quite some time.

"We plan to do that regardless of the outcome of the road situation. This is something we were planning before the road went out," Eubanks said.

Originally, local park staff wanted to amend a current contract with another charter company offering a similar service in Mississippi. Administrative staff in Washington, D.C. turned the idea down and Congressman Jeff Miller became more involved.

"I pushed the issue to the district level to get a decision made. It was becoming very apparent that we were looking at another summer without access to Fort Pickens," Miller said during a telephone interview.

"[Access] is important from the standpoint of tourism. It is a unique experience and we don't want to lose another summer season without access. It is everyone's goal to have vehicular access by next year," Miller said.

The congressman added that although designs for Fort Pickens Road remain on the drawing board, he believes they will mirror what has been proposed for J. Earle Bowden Way. Current plans for that roadway call for a cheaper, "sacrificial" road to be built between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, giving the public full access to the two communities.

For more information about NPS programs and activities, call 850-934-2614 or visit them online at www.nps.gov/guis. For more information about Thorsen and Katelyn Charters call 850-492-1099 or visit www.captbubba.com.