Vessel 1 was traveling east on Santa Rosa Sound under the Bob Sykes Bridge.  The operator of Vessel 1 slowed his speed as he approached to go under Bob Sykes Bridge.  Vessel 1 operator claims about three other larger vessels were traveling west under the bridge but they did not slow down.  Wake from the other vessels went over the bow of Vessel 1, and washed back to the stern.  The water caused the vessel's motor to seize.  Occupants on Vessel 1 were holding on to the "whale" of the Bob Sykes Bridge.  Vessel 1 became a navigational hazard, as the Blue Angels Show had just ended, and there was a large amount of boat traffic in the area.  

Vessel 1 operator says a vessel, which he believed was a U.S. Coast Guard boat pulled up shortly, and towed them to a dock on the southeast side of Bob Sykes Bridge.  Later, in an interview with the Coast Guard Auxiliary members who assisted, I was advised that Vessel 1 was still afloat and did not have any apparent damage.  They also advised they left because the operator of Vessel 1 said he no longer needed their assistance, and that the bilge pump was working.  After they left, Vessel 1's operator said that his vessel's stern began to sink, and that he and one of his passengers pulled Vessel 1 to the more shallow part of the dock.  There, Vessel 1 sank and released fuel into the water. Vessel 1 also sustained damage to the sun bathing platform and cover for the engine while docked.  The chop in Santa Rosa Sound was increased due to the extra boat traffic from the Blue Angels Air Show, and was the cause of the damage to the sun bathing platform and engine cover.   

A TowBoat U.S. vessel pulled up and deployed absorbent boom to prevent the fuel from spreading.  Vessel 1 sustained major damage in the stern area and the motor was completely submerged in the water.  No injuries were reported.  There were no descriptions of the other vessels provided.

PENSACOLA                     