TAMPA -- A strong cold front and high winds have proven a match for cutthroat pirates.
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla says the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship won't follow its normal route up Hillsborough Bay from the south Saturday. Gale force winds out of the north could offer greater resistance than the city of Tampa to the pirates' plans to capture the city. The krewe says it will launch instead from the Port of Tampa Bay at noon, up the Ybor Channel around Harbour Island, then into the Seddon Channel to approach the Tampa Convention Center, where they are still scheduled to take the key to the city from Mayor Jane Castor at 1:00 p.m.
Interim police chief Ruben Delgado is recommending boaters in small craft not to participate in a flotilla, as usually takes place, and to enjoy the parade on land instead. It's a big loss, as the nautical portion of Gasparilla is considered one of the world's largest boat parades.
The land portion of the parade is set to take place on schedule, starting at 2:00 p.m.
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