CG prepares for Blues’ beach show

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is scheduled to set up two temporary safety zones in portions of the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa (Fla.) Sound during the Navy’s Blue Angels’ annual Pensacola Beach Air Show over the Gulf of Mexico from July 11-14 during the hours of 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. The GoM safety zone includes all waters 1.75 nautical miles east and 1.5 nautical miles west in the vicinity of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and extending 1,000 yards south creating a box. This safety zone is for the protection of people and vessels on navigable waters during the air show. All vessels, mariners or other people are prohibited from entering into, transiting or anchoring in the zone unless specifically authorized by the captain of the port of Mobile, Ala., or a designated representative. Additionally, a portion of the safety zone includes Santa Rosa Sound waters from Deer Point to Sharp Point and all waters within Little Sabine Bay. There will be a no-wake zone approaching the Bob Sikes Bridge that will be strictly enforced. Additionally, vessels seeking to enter Little Sabine Bay for the two hours immediately following the air shows must contact the on-scene captain of the port designated representative via VHF channel 16 for authorization. (Source: Coast Guard 06/28/19)