'EVERYTHING IS CLEAR': With cap in place, Destin tourism industry waiting for a pick-me-up (PHOTOS)

With last week’s covering of the Gulf floor’s leaking pipe, Destin businesses are ready for the cap that has blocked the tourism industry to be lifted.

One week later, they are still waiting.

On Thursday morning, The Log hit the streets, speaking with locals, on the fairing of their businesses, and with visitors about their decision to take a chance on Destin.

Tom and Christy Shot, of Phenix City, Ala., made their way to HarborWalk Marina late in the morning, eager to get out on the water. As they secured their trip aboard the Southern Star their three-year-old daughter, Olivia, continually tugged at the shorts of Tom, asking if they were going to see some dolphins.

“When we get back, we have a lot of friends who are waiting to know how the beaches are,” said Christy. “We’ll tell them everything is clear.”

At the HarborWalk ticket window, employees have started to notice an increase in call volume, but nowhere close to the numbers of which they are accustomed.

“It’s nothing like it was a year ago,” said Wendy Wilson, who owns the Southern Star with her husband, Steve. “We’re operating at about half of what we were.”

The Wilsons have been writing letters to editors at newspapers around the Southeast, explaining that Destin waters are currently oil-free.

“We are trying to combat the negative impact,” said Wendy.

Just down the dock, as a line filed onto the Southern Star, the deckhand of the Knight Rider, Aaron Westall, filleted the morning’s catch.

Carmen Smith-Burton, of Brentwood Tenn. and formerly of Destin, greeted her family who had just returned aboard the charter boat Knight Rider.

“We’ve been getting daily updates from down here saying that the beaches are fine,” said Smith-Burton. “The Nashville news was bad.”

She said that national news coverage has been deterring Destin visitors, such as her friends in Tennessee, from making the trip. She said that most have changed their plans and have traveled elsewhere.

“The Nashville media was not portraying what was happening as good,” she said.

Across the city, behind The Back Porch, Travis Poole signed up customers for beach chairs that sit at the water’s edge, which are rented through Sunny Sands Beach Service.

“We haven’t seen it pick up yet,” said Poole.

After speaking with The Log, Poole went on to rent a set of chairs to Bill Hughes, of Atlanta, who made a last minute trip to the coast for free accommodations. Some family friends were not able find renters for the week.

“Hopefully, word is spreading,” said Poole. “Obviously, it’s clear out here.”