Founded in 1868, the Florida Harbor Pilots Association is comprised of 11 member associations that represent nearly 100 highly-skilled and highly-trained harbor pilots that serve each of Florida’s 14 deepwater ports. The Florida Harbor Pilots Association is designed to promote goodwill, provide leadership, coordinate all efforts and represent our members at the state level. In addition to ensuring the safe navigation of these vessels, harbor pilots know the intricate details and local conditions of the waterways and channels that surround Florida’s ports and are often called upon by Florida’s port authorities to assist with the planning of new seaport development and new ship operations. Florida’s harbor pilots are the watchdogs for the numerous cruise and cargo ships coming in and out of our state’s 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 state’s ports and coastal environment would be at risk. Currently, our association has nearly 100 state-regulated and licensed harbor pilots that have been taking navigational control of foreign flagged cargo and cruise ships and directing their movement in and out of Florida’s ports for decades. It is our duty to act in the public’s best interest and maintain independent judgment from any outside influences that may jeopardize maritime safety. All of Florida’s harbor pilots are independent contractors, belonging to a member association within our state’s pilotage region, and are responsible for maintaining and operating one or more offices and pilots stations, pilot boats, dispatch system, electronic equipment and administrative services.
