RNC Tampa Bay Warning

[HideAway]

Beware if you re planning to sail in the Tampa Bay area from now until the convention is over.  We received notice at our sailing club meeting Friday night that 7 major draw bridges will be closed for hours each day so those impotent conventioneers can transit to their various parties and fund raisers unobstructed by mere common folk.  The draw bridges are on the ICW- the only inland means of transporting the entire length of the county.  This is a very be deal.

Worse, our Coast Guard representative - normally a jolly ole fellow was extremely grim as he told us all bridges are under 24 hour armed guard and not to approach under any circumstances.  He went on to state that sailing on Tampa Bay near downtown St Petersburg will get you boarded with heavily armed troops and their dogs.   When asked about Tampa  he said - don't even think about it -

When asked about the St Pete Beach - our area - he repeated the caution above-  There is a 5 star hotel on the beach that is expected to house some of the more impotent  people.    The other major warning is about St Pete Clearwater Airport that extends into Old Tampa Bay .  This is a regional airport expected to house the private jets RNC members will bring.   I didn t ask about minor details like civil rights violations - I think I know the answer already. 

From what I understand a major concern is someone trying something stupid for his 15 minutes of fame.  The other is not to lose control over the crowd as happened in St Paul. 

Fortunately HideAway is decommissioned for the next month or so anyway waiting for her new main sail.  I can t quite imagine how a German Shepard with its heavily armed handler would even fit on HideAway

[Bob23]

   Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, I can understand how a would-be terrorist might use a Compac 23. But, more importantly, during Hidaways month long vacation, what little treats do you have planned for her?
   If you happen to bump into our Governer (Christie), tell him howdy for me.
bob23...your reporter on the scene in NJ