Catfish Hotel closed at Manatee

[Kelly Jessop]

I have seen several postings about the steps being in disrepair at Catfish Hotel, and they have been closed. This isn't an advertisement for the NFSA, and since this isn't one of the parks,we are unable to become involved. The reason I am making this posting is make you aware that Manatee has a CSO similar to the NFSA, and where the majority of the membership is not cave divers, they too perform projects in the park. My suggestion is to reach out to the park and their CSO, and start a means of funding this project so the steps can be brought back on line. The staff and users of the park take great pride in their park, and you will find they have an interest in working with divers to accomplish this project.

[Kelly Jessop]

Update. The closure is temporary while they fix a broken bracket for the bottom step, and understand it should be open by the weekend.

Please support Manatee Spring's CSO.

[WEPIV]

Thanks Kelly as that makes more sense. I just used those stairs about a week and a half ago and I was going to report there were no issues with them that I could see or were aware of.

[Kelly Jessop]

Thanks Kelly as that makes more sense. I just used those stairs about a week and a half ago and I was going to report there were no issues with them that I could see or were aware of.

This is good news,but I have learned superficial appearances don't yield underlying problems. For example, when it was said that the steps at P1 are very dilapidated,from the top they don't look too bad. So, when it was said the Catfish Hotel steps were closed, I didn't question it because they have some age too.

[WEPIV]

Yep, reminds me of a story we did one time (while working for Newsday) about the NYC area bridges. Same thing was said then about them, with as I recall the Manhattan Bridge being the worst. With all the traffic going over it all the time it makes you wonder....

[Kelly Jessop]

It is back open. Dive safe

(support the Manatee spring SP CSO)