Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill ( called the " Gulf oil spill " ) , the entrance to Pensacola Pass was closed , with a floating barrier system in June 2010 , to control tidal flow of oil entering from the Gulf of Mexico . The daily high tide was causing oil-contaminated water to enter Pensacola Bay . The barrier system was to be designed to allow boats to travel through Pensacola Pass during the ebb tide , but to close during the rising tide
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Pensacola Pass