Mobile Maritime Museum Gets Major Financial Boost

The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is getting a major financial boost.

Senator Richard Shelby announced NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is giving $499,500 to the project.

The City of Mobile broke ground on the museum, known as GulfQuest, back in April. Located at Mobile Landing, the museum will be constructed and owned by the city of Mobile. The interactive maritime museum inside will be planned, funded and operated by an independent, non-profit organization through a public/private partnership with the city. Construction is scheduled to be finished Spring 2011.

“GulfQuest offers a unique opportunity for children and adults to learn about sea life in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Shelby. “The Museum will use this funding to create educational exhibits and programs about the ocean. Upon completion, GulfQuest will provide the public with an inside look into marine life in the Gulf.”

GulfQuest will be housed inside a 90,000 square foot structure shaped like a vessel headed out to sea. In addition to the Maritime Museum, the building will house a ferry terminal with passenger service that links the Mobile waterfront to other Mobile Bay locations.