Huge Lift Ship in Pensacola Port for Maintenance Work

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A massive maritime vessel is docked in Pensacola this week. The TX-10000 is the world's most powerful heavy lift ship, and it's hard to miss at 254 feet tall. The vessel specializes in removing oil platforms and salvaging equipment from the Gulf of Mexico. It's in Pensacola for maintenance work. Captain Christopher Johnson says the location is perfect for their operations. From here, it's only an 18-hour trip to most job sites. The ship is scheduled to leave this weekend. The 40-member crew has been operating the TX-10000 since it launched in 2011, working on some of the toughest maritime projects in the world.

Ferry Pass Losing Aerial Ladder Truck to Staffing Shortage

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Ferry Pass is losing its 100-foot aerial ladder truck due to staffing shortages. Fire Station 7 doesn't have enough crew to operate it, so the truck will be moved to another location. The problem is this area has dozens of multi-story buildings—including HCA Florida West Hospital and UWF apartments—that would need that ladder in an emergency. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger says inadequate funding is to blame. She says the fire department should have four-person crews to meet national standards. Firefighters say mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies will provide backup ladder response, but some residents are concerned about emergency response times.

Blue Angels Fat Albert now Enroute to UK for Maintenance

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Navy Blue Angels' Fat Albert has left Pensacola for major maintenance work in the United Kingdom. The transport plane is headed to Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge for a full center wing box replacement—a critical structural component. Fat Albert will also get a fresh coat of paint with the traditional Blue Angels livery. The Blues say the extensive overhaul will take 10 to 14 months, which means Fat Albert will likely miss the entire 2026 show season. When it returns, the improvements are expected to add more than 20 years of service life to the aircraft.