The Dauphin Island Marina will remain closed for the foreseeable future after Hurricane Sally inflicted extensive damage on its docks and utilities, the business says.
In a social media update, the marina described heavy damage to water and electric service on all four of its docks, caused by wave action during the storm. Decks were torn loose from the piers, including at the charter dock and pier B, both of which had recently been rebuilt. Of the marina’s more than 80 finger piers, only about 10 survived.
Several boats that were not evacuated before the storm sank, including four at pier A and one at pier B. Boats kept in dry storage came through unharmed, according to the marina.
Owners initially estimated three to four weeks of repair work, but they now say the recovery will take longer. As crews dig through debris, they keep finding additional damage. The business also cited pandemic-related complications: supply shortages, long lead times and higher-than-expected costs for materials — when those materials are available at all.
The closure adds to the recovery burden on Dauphin Island, which took a direct hit from Sally’s effects in mid-September 2020.