N. Gulf Cruising News – Pensacola & Pensacola Inlet (Statute Mile 185 to 179)
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
FL – GULF OF MEXICO – Temporary Research Buoys
Commencing July 10, 2023 and continuing through January 10, 2024, three lighted yellow research buoys will be temporarily established in the Gulf of Mexico, between 2 and 3 nautical miles offshore from Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City Beach, FL. Each location will have mooring configurations that include one floating research buoy and two marker buoys. The research buoys will display a flashing 2.5 second yellow light at night and are located in the following approximate positions:
Pensacola: 30-17-56.40N 087-08-00.67W (30°17.9400N / 087°8.0111W, 30.299000 / -87.133519)
Fort Walton Beach: 30-21-19.90N 086-36-38.60W (30°21.3317N / 086°36.6433W, 30.355528 / -86.610722)
Panama City Beach: 30-09-14.01N 085-51-59.52W (30°9.2335N / 085°51.9920W, 30.153892 / -85.866533)
FL – GULF OF MEXICO – PENSACOLA – PANAMA CITY – TALLAHASSEE – Hazardous Operations – UPDATE
Mariners making plans to transit offshore Tallahassee, Panama City and Pensacola, Florida, are advised of frequent rocket activity and associated hazardous areas which may include free falling debris and/or descending vehicles or vehicle components under various means of control. Mariners should contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-5768, for more information. Specific scheduled information and Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) can be found at the following website https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/jacksonville. Upcoming information and Hazardous Areas are also posted on the Patrick Air Force Base website: https://www.patrick.af.mil, or can be obtained by calling 1 (800) 470-7232.
Offshore Pensacola, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-59-27.0N 087-30-00.0W (29°59.4500N / 087°30.0000W, 29.990833 / -87.500000),
29-48-00.0N 087-16-51.0W (29°48.0000N / 087°16.8500W, 29.800000 / -87.280833),
29-36-32.0N 087-30-00.0W (29°36.5333N / 087°30.0000W, 29.608889 / -87.500000),
29-48-00.0N 087-43-08.0W (29°48.0000N / 087°43.1333W, 29.800000 / -87.718889) and
29-59-27.0N 087-30-00.0W (29°59.4500N / 087°30.0000W, 29.990833 / -87.500000) .
Offshore Panama City, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-54-25.0N 086-10-58.0W (29°54.4166N / 086°10.9667W, 29.906944 / -86.182778),
29-42-57.0N 085-57-50.0W (29°42.9500N / 085°57.8333W, 29.715833 / -85.963889),
29-31-29.0N 086-10-58.0W (29°31.4833N / 086°10.9667W, 29.524722 / -86.182778),
29-42-57.0N 086-24-07.0W (29°42.9500N / 086°24.1166W, 29.715833 / -86.401944) and
29-54-25.0N 086-10-58.0W (29°54.4166N / 086°10.9667W, 29.906944 / -86.182778) .
Offshore Tallahassee, bound by the following approximate positions:
29-28-26.0N 084-12-00.0W (29°28.4333N / 084°12.0000W, 29.473889 / -84.200000),
29-16-58.0N 083-58-55.0W (29°16.9667N / 083°58.9166W, 29.282778 / -83.981944),
29-05-31.0N 084-12-00.0W (29°5.5166N / 084°12.0000W, 29.091944 / -84.200000),
29-16-58.0N 084-25-04.0W (29°16.9667N / 084°25.0667W, 29.282778 / -84.417778) and
29-28-26.0N 084-12-00.0W (29°28.4333N / 084°12.0000W, 29.473889 / -84.200000)
FL – GULF OF MEXICO – Wreck – Update
The 50-foot recreational vessel previously reported sunk in approximate position 30-17-38.5N 087-17-49.9W, just outside of The Pensacola Bay Entrance Channel, Pensacola, FL., has been salvaged.
No specific dates are given for these exercises. Call the number given below if you plan to transit that part of the Gulf.
Mariners making plans to transit offshore Panama City and Pensacola, Florida, are advised of frequent rocket activity and associated hazardous areas which may include free falling debris and/or descending vehicles or vehicle components under various means of control.
Offshore Pensacola, bound by the following approximate position:
29-48-00.0N 087-30-00.0W (29°48.0000N / 087°30.0000W, 29.800000 / -87.500000),
Offshore Panama City, bound by the following approximate position:
29-45-57.0N 086-01-48.0W (29°45.9500N / 086°1.8000W, 29.765833 / -86.030000),
Mariners should contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-5976, for more information. Specific scheduled information and Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) can be found at the following website https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/jacksonville. Upcoming information and Hazardous Areas are also posted on the following Patrick Air Force Base website https://www.patrick.af.mil/ or can be obtained by calling 1 (800) 470 7232
This dredging operation is west of the Pensacola Beach Bridge, Pensacola, FL.
FL – GIWW – SANTA ROSA SOUND – Dredge Operation
Continuing until further notice, the Dredge KELLY L will be conducting dredging operations to remove shoaling in an area between GIWW, mile 179.0, EHL and GIWW, mile 180.0, EHL. Dredge material will be disposed into an upland disposal area located just south of the channel utilizing floating and submerged pipelines. All vessels will be lighted in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard Safety Regulations. The Dredge KELLY L will be monitoring VHF-FM Channel 13 or 16. Mariners are urged to exercise caution when transiting the area. Chart 11378 11383 LNM 18/18
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Dredging
Here is an interesting article on red tide which had a recent bloom in the Big Bend region of the Gulf, see /?p=144423.
FWC, partners unlock some mysteries behind red tide in 5-year study
Last month, researchers at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) published new findings on Florida’s red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in a special issue of the scientific journal Harmful Algae. This publication is the culmination of an unprecedented collaboration on red tide research in the Gulf of Mexico led by the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
For more on this study, go to:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/dbfa20
Palafox Pier & Yacht Harbour Marina is in the heart of downtown Pensacola at 1901 Cypress Street, on the north shore of the entrance to Bayou Chico.
Our vote for a great marina is Palafox in Pensacola: http://www.marinamgmt.com/marina-management-Palafox-Pier-Home.cfm
It has floating docks, very sheltered dockage, Jaco’s (a great restaurant on site), within walking distance of Seville Quarter (http://www.sevillequarter.com), and dozens of other restaurants, shops, minor league baseball (http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t4124), Pensacola Shipyard (http://www.pensacolamarina.com/index.php) with a wide host of contractors keeps your boat running.
And the dockmasters, Ron and Jon, provide the best customer service you could ask for! Certainly worth consideration!
Richard Grimes
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palafox Pier
The free dock in Ft Walton Beach is located between R6 and R8 on the north side of the ICW, just west of the Brook Bridge. The 3 deepest spots are on the SW corner of the dock, 1 being a lay along and the other 2 being the first two slips. Avoid blocking the pump out station as boaters do come to use it and then leave immediately.
When True North came by the Fort Walton Beach free dock on the north side of the ICW today, it was closed due to heavy damage from either a boat ramming it or a structural failure. Parts of the face dock were hanging into the water. A mastless sailboat was pulled into a shoreside slip but a sign was posted that the dock was closed.
Stay safe,
Tom
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Free Dock
The entrance to Little Sabine Bay, and Sabine Bay Marina, lies just to the south, immediately west of the high-rise Pensacola Beach Bridge. Follow the marked channel carefully, as you make your entrance, particularly at low water. Once into the Bay, stay away from the water body’s mid-width. There is shoal water there!
We have stayed at Sabine Marina and it’s a great little place. Very laid back don’t expect to be wine and dined. Right across the street (real close in walking distance) from the tourists’ attractions of Pensacola beach but without the hassle of tying off your vessel at the Boardwalk and risking kids jumping all in and over your boat while you take in the Pensacola beach attractions. I highly recommend dockage at Sabine Marina.
Jan
Palofox Marina is located in the heart of downtown Pensacola! There are many restaurants, and even one small grocery store within walking distance.
Bayou Chico kind of sits on the western outskirts of the city, but, as noted below, there are many facilities lining this stream, including the Pensacola Yacht Club, where I have been privileged to speak on several occasions!
We have docked our Monk 36 13′ beam 4′ draft at Palafox Marina downtown and Bahia Mar Marina on Bayou Chico just west of town both are managed by Marina management both are fine, there are several marinas on bayou Chico but we have only stayed at the Bahia Mar there sorry I don’t recall the prices.
Steve Willett
Monk 36 Gumbo
The marked channel leading to Sabine Marina cuts to the south, immediately west of the Pensacola Beach Bridge. Observe all markers carefully and heavily favor the eastern shores after entering the Bay.
Was just at the Sabine Marina this past December in 09. While I was there that had a dredge working in the pass coming into the Marina so its plenty deep now. Great little bar and nice shower and laundry facilities.
Rob
I, too, have experienced the low water – wind tide conditions described by Captain Tom below. As he notes, these depths usually persist only a few days, but while they are underway, soundings can be spooky!
If you are near or in the Florida Panhandle this morning, you will find the water levels are 1-2 feet below the charted depths. The north winds have been blowing hard for a few days and pushed the water off the coastline. It will come back in a few days; but for now, be careful.
Stay Safe,
Tom
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