One day ahead of schedule, July 3 saw the green light go on at the new Seabrook Floodgate Complex indicating water traffic could pass through the new sector gates for the first time since construction started more than 18 months ago. The first private vessel to pass through the 95-foot sector gates was the sleek 164ft motor yacht Wheels that was constructed by Trinity Yachts on France Road, a neighbor to the Seabrook Floodgate Complex.

Trinity superyacht Wheels passing through the new Seabrook Floodgate Complex sector gates - Photo by Ken Kelgard

“We were delighted to see the Seabrook gates open for water traffic,” said John Dane III, President of Trinity Yachts. “Not only have we regained our access to Lake Pontchartrain, but this mighty structure will help defend this area against future storms coming from Lake Pontchartrain, while the IHNC Surge Barrier wall and sector gates will defend from storms coming from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.”

Mr. Dane further pointed that the France Road shipyards of Trinity Yachts, a derivative of the famous Higgins boat makers of World War II, will be within the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System for the first time in its 70-year history. “We’re very happy about that.”

The new Seabrook Floodgate Complex - Photo by USACE

The Seabrook Floodgate Complex, located at the mouth of the Industrial Canal at Lake Pontchartrain, is one of the largest and most critical projects in the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. In addition to its 95-foot sector gates, the Complex includes two 50-foot wide vertical lift gates which flank the sector gates.

Seabrook was designed to work in tandem with the IHNC Surge Barrier at Lake Borgne, located at the confluence of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). Both hurricane defense structures are ready to defend against the 100-year storm, even as work continues.