Ferry service temporarily suspended at fort

Administrative Support Assistant Laura Cryan announced to Historic City News reporters that the boat service to Fort Matanzas National Monument has been suspended until further notice due to mechanical problems with the ferries.

“Corrective steps are being taken to ensure the boat services are operational to the historic fort as quickly as possible,” Cryan told reporters.

Despite this issue, Fort Matanzas National Monument encourages all visitors to explore many other sights and activities the park has to offer.

Visitors can learn about the history of the fort through the orientation film in the visitor center and by attending interpretive ranger programs. These programs are presented from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on the “thirty.”

For nature lovers, there is a short 1/2 mile boardwalk that winds through the hammock and the Great Horned Owls have returned for the winter. Although they have not settled on a nesting site, they can usually be viewed in the trees near the visitor center. Ask one of our park rangers for the best places to see these magnificent birds.

Lastly, during the interim of our suspended ferry service, musket firing demonstrations will take place on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm with historic re-enactors portraying soldiers.

In the picnic area there will be an encampment to host a timeline of various soldiers, weapons and items from St. Augustine’s history.

Musket demonstrations will take place hourly beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 3:00 pm.

Fort Matanzas National Monument is located 14 miles south of St. Augustine’s Historic District on S.R. A1A and is open daily except Christmas from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.