4 December, 2019 Bon Secour to NAS Pensacola

One tow, many dolphins dancing around the bow.  5.1 engine hours, 30 SM

Really nice anchorage last night.  Excellent holding in less than 10 mph winds.  Sound sleep all night.  Clear skies, orangish color to ESE @ 0559. Sunrise 0631.  Headed to Sherman cove on NAS Pensacola.  May stop en route to look at a Mainship 350.(mainship)

Went around the Tow Kimberly Ann today as it was perpendicular to the ICW pushing  fuel barges against the north bank.  That is Kim's name too.  This is the second time we have seen this tow.  Called on the VHF and the Captain slowed down the propulsion so we were not pushed into the southern bank!

The Tow

The marina where the mainship was located had fixed wooden slips perpendicular to the ICW.  Of course the tide was rushing past at 2 knots and there was a 10mph wind blowing same direction.  Entering the slip was as much as I needed and was not pretty.  We got secured without damage to boat or human.   Boat layout we liked, but it was dirty, aged and somewhat neglected.  We spent about an hour looking.  The mainship is a great loop boat and many loopers travel in theirs.  Lots to like about the design and layout.  Since we are going by and seeing many boats, it is easy to stop and take a look if we want to.  Not interested at this time for a different boat...but you never know about the boat after.  We backed out of the slip without drama or incident.

We entered into Florida!  Yea

Welcome

We continued another hour and exited the ICW  and made our way into Sherman Cove Marina, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.  I was stationed here in the late seventies becoming a Naval Aviator.  Had fished out of this place for a couple of years.  The passage into the cove is still narrow and extremely shallow.  At low tide we eked by with 3 feet under the keel.  Serenity drafts 2’6”.  Too darn tight.  Will exit in a couple of days on a rising tide.   Pensacola is a very old city.

The Blue Angels (blues) do their winter practice off shore along the gulf beaches.  We have watched them for the past two days since departing Mobile.  It was nice to get here and see and hear all of the jets flying around.  The marine, basic but the manager is friendly and welcoming.  The office staff were extremely helpful.  We have shore power, a newer floating dock and a water faucet for fresh water. (map)

Good night