SANTA ROSA SOUND FLOATING BREAKWATER - PENSACOLA BEACH, FLORIDA 



Breakwater Type: Goodyear FTB 



Operational Life: The breakwater was constructed in 1976 and removed in 1978. 



Contact : Chris Jones 



336 Weil Hall 

 University of Florida 

 Gainesville, FL 32611 

 (904) 392-2460 



Builder: Charles A. Gifford 

 Baseline, Inc. 

 Pensacola, FL 32502 



Operator: Same as builder 

 Site Details 



Water and Bottom Conditions: The structure was located in saltwater above a 



gently sloping bottom composed of sand. Depth at mean low water is 0.9 m 

 (3.0 ft). 



Exposure: The site is exposed from the northeast and from the northwest with a 

 fetch of 4.8 km (2.6 nmi) in each direction. 



Typical Storm Conditions: During a typical storm, waves are from 0.6 m 

 (2.0 ftj to 0.9 m (3.0 ft) in height. 



Worst Storm Conditions: During a worst storm on an average year, winds will 

 reach speeds in excess of 95 km/hr (51 kn) . Seas will be 1.5 m (5.0 ft) 

 high. 



Breakwater Details 



Purpose: This breakwater protected the shoreline of a residence located in 



Pensacola Beach, Florida. The FTB was specifically intended to interact 

 with the littoral transport and accumulate sand in its shadow of 

 protection. This project was supported by the Florida Sea Grant Program. 



Design Source: The builder utilized design literature from the University of 

 Rhode Island. 



Construction: This FTB was 30.5 m (100.0 ft) in length and 6.7 m (22.0 ft) in 

 width. This breakwater differed from the standard Goodyear design in that 

 large truck tires were used as the connecting tires between the modules. 

 At low tide when the FTB would strand, the truck tires would keep most of 

 the tire mat off the sea floor and therefore prevent sand from accumulating 



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