Our Missions
River Cleanup
The Blackwater Pyrates hold two river clean-ups a year. The spring clean-up is held on or around earth day and encompasses the area north of Escribano Point to Cooper’s Basin. The fall river clean-up is held in September and is a canoe/kayak trip. This clean-up has in the past included the Blackwater River from south of Cotton Bridge on Hwy. 4 to Blackwater River State Park Deaton’s Bridge and Coldwater river south of the Munson Hwy. Bridge to Pucker Point. These clean-ups have resulted on tons of garbage being removed from the river. We also accomplish the river cleanup aspect of our mission by providing scholarships the University of Florida Natural Resource Conservation and Plant Science Biology graduate students when their studies and career plans align with our mission.
Boater Safety
The Blackwater Pyrates partner with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 1-7 Pensacola Florida to promote boat inspections and boater safety classes. The boat inspections are normally held on “National Safe Boating Week” and will be performed by members of Flotilla 1-7. In the event the vessel lacks safety items such as personal flotation devices (PFD), whistle, fire extinguisher or registration numbers/letters, the items are provided free of charge by the Blackwater Pyrates. Boater safety classes are taught by Flotilla 1-7 personnel and the Blackwater Pyrates make the public aware of learning opportunities and provide promotional items for active participants. Finally, the Blackwater Pyrates provide Flotilla 1-7 financial assistance.
Maritime Preservation
The Blackwater Pyrates accomplish the maritime history goal by hosting an annual lecture whereas the lecture theme revolves around the Blackwater River. Some topics have included shipwrecks, lumber mills and brick factories on the river and even the discovery of the ill-fated Luna expedition of 1559. We further promote maritime history through grants to graduate students attending the University of West Florida archaeology program whose research is related to the Blackwater River.
