14
FOGHORN
FOGHORN FOCUS
cessionaires, they have a close partnership with the agency. 
They ask passengers to bring reusable bottles or cups in-
stead of single-use plastics. There are recycling bins on the 
island to reduce waste. They have a limit on the number of 
people they bring out to the island at one time and encour-
age guests to follow a pack in/pack out policy. 
They also try to educate passengers about the barrier 
islands and best practices to help protect them. Guests 
learn what they can do to maintain the natural sound-
scapes and quiet of the island, which have been recog-
nized as an aspect of protection of Park resources. They 
are reminded to keep their distance from any wildlife, 
to never touch any animals, and not allow pets to inter-
act with them. Instead, it is recommended visitors bring 
binoculars to better observe wildlife. Recalling the fate 
of the Isle of Caprice, guests are also asked not to touch 
the island’s plants. 
The sea oats that were so critical to holding the sand in 
place on the Isle of Caprice are also a crucial part of the 
ecosystem of Ship Island. In the 1920s, people discovered 
these hollow wheat-like plants on the Isle of Caprice and 
cut them for commercial flower shops. One man was 
sending sea oats by the truckload to Chicago. Combined 
with a series of storms, the destructive harvesting of the 
plants contributed to the island’s demise. “It’s still out 
there,” Louis said. “You can actually stand on it at low 
tide. But it’s never come back. The other barrier islands, 
we’re losing them as well.”
He laughed when he  
talked of being asked by 
guests about what to do  
on the island after visiting 
the fort. Louis tells them,  
“You walk!” “I grew up 
there every summer of my 
life,” Louis said. “I never 
get tired of walking the 
beach on Ship Island.”
Photos from left: Fourth, second, and third generations of the Skrmetta family; Capt. Pete of the current fleet

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