Casino boat must evacuate in hurricanes

The state Port of Gulfport refused to allow the casino boat to stay in port.

"Their lease requires them to evacuate," said port Director Anthony Taormina. "There's no change."

Coast casinos that are too large to move to safe harbor must be moored to withstand 130 mph winds. The Copa sought permission to develop the same mooring system so it would not be required to evacuate as a hurricane approaches.

The port and the Copa have been at odds for several years over the lease arrangement and also dredging that is sometimes necessary to keep the converted cruise ship afloat.

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