Florida Harbor Pilots Association

_________
NEWS

December 2015

Did You Know?

CONTACT FHPA
Captain Sam Stephenson, J.D.
PO Box 38294
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 224-0219 office
(954)336-4664 cell
captainsam4@yahoo.com

Port of Palm Beach processes more than $7 billion in

commodities and more than 2 million tons of cargoes
annually.
-Port of Palm Beach

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT- HARBOR PILOT 101

As we begin a new year, we want to invite you to take a look back on the piloting
profession and its benefits to Florida. With tens of thousands of vessels traveling through
Floridas waters annually, Floridas nearly 100 highly-skilled and highly-trained harbor
pilots play a crucial role in protecting the states resources and safely and efficiently
moving these ships year round.
WHAT IS A HARBOR PILOT?
A harbor pilot is a highly-trained and skilled state-licensed professional mariner that
takes navigational control of foreign-flagged cargo and cruise ships and directs their
movement into and out of Floridas 14 deepwater ports, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
365 days a year. Without harbor pilots, the lives and safety of the people of Florida and
the protection of the states ports and coastal environment would be at risk. Currently,
there are nearly 100 state-regulated and licensed harbor pilots whose duty is to act in the
publics best interest and maintain independent judgment from any outside influences
that may jeopardize maritime safety in Florida.
WHO USES HARBOR PILOTS?
Every foreign-flagged vessel and every U.S.-flagged vessel that engages in international
trade moving in the waters of a state is required to take a pilot licensed by the State of
Florida. Although many U.S.-flagged vessels are not required to utilize a state-licensed
pilot, many choose to do so anyway because of their vast knowledge of the local port
they serve.

ON THE HORIZON
Remember, if you have a
newsworthy item to share, please
submit the complete details to:
Kristen Bridges at
kristen@bascomllc.com
or (850) 222-2140.

WHAT DO FLORIDAS HARBOR PILOTS DO?

Florida law mandates that harbor pilots protect to the fullest extent possible Floridas
waters, harbors, ports, environment, life and property, with safety as the primary
objective. Harbor pilots act in the publics interest and maintain independent judgment
from economic pressures that may compromise navigational safety. In light of recent
events, the role of the harbor pilot is more important than ever.
Last year, there were 27,000 individual transits of foreign-flagged cargo and cruise ships
on Floridas waters. On each one was a state-licensed harbor pilot taking charge of the
navigational control. Harbor pilots are specially trained in ship handling in Floridas
narrow channels and harbors. They provide a safe, efficient and reliable service by
operating and maintaining pilot stations, pilot boats, dispatch systems, electronic
navigation and communications equipment and administrative services.

FloridaPilots.com | @FLHarborPilots | FB.com/FloridaHarborPilotsAssociation

Florida Harbor Pilots Association

Page 2
Every harbor pilot is a resident of Florida and abides by the work-rest regulations. Harbor pilots work on a rotation schedule based
on the amount of traffic that comes into and out of port each day, week, month and year. If the traffic demand increases, they put in
a request for an additional opening to the Board of Pilot Commissioners based on the factual need. The Board is then the deciding
factor on whether an opening is filled through the competitive exam process.
HOW DO HARBOR PILOTS BENEFIT THE STATE OF FLORIDA?
The proven system of pilotage protecting the states infrastructure investments and the pristine environment comes at no cost to the
taxpayer. It is funded by fees paid by the user of Floridas seaports the ship owner.
Harbor pilots work as a team and possess intimate local knowledge of their ports. Ship captains do not. They represent only their
ship owner. Local, state and federal authorities depend on the pilots expertise for seaport expansion projects, new ship operations
and port security. Without harbor pilots, the lives and safety of Floridians and the protection of the states ports and coastal
environment would be at risk.
Best,
Captain Sam Stephenson, FHPA President

FHPA NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

President
Capt. Sam Stephenson
Port Everglades Pilots
Association

1st Vice President

Capt. John Timmel
Tampa Bay Pilots
Association

2nd Vice President

Capt. Chris Mons
St. Johns Bar Pilots
Association

Treasurer
Capt. Ben Borgie
Canaveral Pilots
Association

Secretary
Capt. John Jacobsen
Biscayne Bay Pilot
Association

2015 FHPA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The 2015 recipients of the Florida Harbor Pilots Associations
Scholarship Program are Geri Bea R. Villan, a junior at the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy from New York, and Kenneth Briggs,
a junior at Texas Maritime Academy from McKinney, Texas.
Both recipients completed their internships in December - Geri
with the Canaveral Pilots and Kenneth with the Tampa Bay Pilots
Association. During their internships, they learned about the harbor Kenneth Briggs with Capt. Jorge Geri Bea R. Villan with Capts.
Steve Gasecki and Richard
Viso.
pilot profession and gained valuable hands-on experience
Grimison.
partaking in various port activities.

FloridaPilots.com | @FLHarborPilots | FB.com/FloridaHarborPilotsAssociation