Bill Text: MS HC58 | 2026 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Ship Island Excursions; commend on 100th anniversary.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 7)
Status: (Passed) 2026-04-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC58 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HC58-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Felsher, Bennett, Eure, Grady, Haney, McKnight, Crawford
House Concurrent Resolution 58
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SHIP ISLAND EXCURSIONS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS, Ship Island Excursions, a local family-owned company that began as a summer side business to the founder's fishing operations in March 1926, reaches an extraordinary milestone this month when the Gulf Coast institution proudly celebrates its founding and 100 years of continuous operations; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1900's, Peter Martin Skrmetta, a young Croatian immigrant seeking improved economic conditions and a better life in America, arrived in Biloxi and went to work with his uncle crewing the sailing schooners that harvested millions of pounds of oysters and shrimp for Biloxi's booming seafood industry; and
WHEREAS, by the early 1920's, Skrmetta, fondly known as "Captain Pete," acquired his own 56-foot diesel-powered schooner named the Pan American, and when the shrimping industry would virtually shut down in the hot summer months, the young entrepreneur used his vessel to haul watermelons from Alabama to the French Market and clam shells from Lake Pontchartrain back to the Coast before beginning what was to become the lasting business of the family - pleasure cruises into the Mississippi Sound; and
WHEREAS, realizing the economic potential of a tourist attraction offering locals and visitors alike excursions off the Coast, Captain Pete embarked on various ventures ferrying passengers to and from the barrier islands over the years, including to the casino and dance hall of the failed 1920's Isle of Caprice resort island, and in the 30's, to his own attractive resort he built on the east end of Ship Island and a fishing resort operated by the American Legion Post 110 at Fort Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, as the number of patrons steadily increased over the years, with two boats transporting thousands of visitors from Biloxi in the summer months and offering evening cruises with music, dancing, cocktails and gambling, Captain Pete's fleet eventually grew to three increasingly larger excursion boats - the 1937 Pan American Clipper, the 1950 Gulf Clipper, and the 1963 Pan American II; and
WHEREAS, Peter Martin Skrmetta, Sr., died in 1963, leaving the company to his two sons, Peter Matthew and James Noel, who operated two ferry services, one from Gulfport and one from Biloxi, until 1986, when Peter bought his brother's Biloxi business and consolidated all Ship Island Excursions' operations to the Gulfport location; and
WHEREAS, Peter Matthew successfully grew the business until his passing in the summer of 2024, and since that time, three of the original Captain Pete's grandsons have run the family operation, which has now provided passage to well over 1.2 million Ship Island visitors over the last century; and
WHEREAS, currently the Ship Island ferry operates exclusively out of the Yacht Harbor at Jones Park, making the City of Gulfport the gateway to Gulf Islands National Seashore, and each spring, the third-generation company welcomes thousands of excited visitors eager to feel the ocean mist and taste the salt air, many who have made the 11-mile journey across the Mississippi Sound to Ship Island their annual unofficial kickoff to the long, fun-filled days of summer; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the March through October daily trips to the island, Ship Island Excursions has helped create lasting memories for many of its patrons who have enjoyed one of the company's year-round dolphin-watching adventures, weekend sunset cocktail cruises, or chartered shoreline day or evening cruises for corporate parties, class reunions and other special celebrations; and
WHEREAS, while Ship Island Excursions is widely recognized as the transportation from the mainland to the barrier islands, Gulf Coast residents also see the Skrmetta family and business as a strong supporter of the local community, with the company annually providing transportation to beach cleanup crews, discounted boat tickets to all school and youth groups, and hundreds of donated tickets to fundraisers for local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations, including law enforcement youth programs, along with working with the National Park Service to preserve and protect the natural and historic resources within the National Seashore; and
WHEREAS, on the momentous occasion of the 100th year of unparalleled continuous service by Ship Island Excursions, it is most appropriate to give special recognition to this outstanding Mississippi institution which, as a source of adventure, relaxation and lifelong happy memories, is deemed to be a treasure by the Gulf Coast community and countless fellow Mississippians and visitors to the Magnolia State:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ship Island Excursions on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding and extend sincerest wishes to the Skrmetta family for the company's continued growth and prosperity for many years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ship Island Excursions and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
