The River Rats is a boating club in Millbrook, Alabama. They annually make this cruise. This year we used their cruise to try to bring attention to the lack of marinas on the Rivers between Mobile and Montgomery. At present there are two places to buy gas in about 400 miles of river. One is located at the end of the river in Montgomery and the other is Millers Ferry in Wilcox County. Mount Vernon is a prime location for a marina for several reasons. The department of Mental Health owns land on the river. This land is in serious need of attention as it is eroding into the river. This is also the location of historic Fort Stoddard.

Mount Vernon is located on the Mobile River just south of the junction of the Alabama and the Tombigbee and just north of the junction of the Mobile and the Tensaw. Its a perfect location for a marina to serve both the travelers (snowbirds) passing through Alabama headed either to their homes in the northern states or headed to Florida. It is also perfect to serve boats traveling the Alabama river between the Gulf and Montgomery.

Post Katrina restrictions on selling fuel near the water and the lack of affordable river front property makes it nearly impossible for the small investor to build a marina on the river. This is where the state and local governments must work together to make this happen.

Mount Vernon would like to acquire this Mental Health Department property, stabilize it, and build a Park out of it showcasing its history as a Port Of Entry into the United States. Mount Vernon would build a marina on it, with the hope of attracting some tourism to their City. Property that is slowly eroding into the river will turn into a meaningful park and marina that will serve the people of Alabama as well as enable tourists to leave money in our state.

It will only happen if all state agencies involved work together. If not, this property will end up as dredge in the Mobile ship channel.