Florida Harbor Pilots AssociationFlorida Harbor Pilots AssociationFlorida Harbor Pilots Association

NEWS NEWS

CONTACT FHPACONTACT FHPA

Captain Sam Stephenson, J.D.

PO Box 38294

Tallahassee, FL 32315

(850) 224-0219 office

(954)336-4664 cell

captainsam4@yahoo.com

ON THE HORIZONON 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.

Did You Know? In Florida, JAXPORT is the only strategic port on-call to move

military cargo for national defense.

January 2016January 2016 _________

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - PILOTING

SYSTEM IN FLORIDA

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

Founded in 1974, the Florida Harbor Pilot Association (FHPA) is comprised of

11 member associations that serve each of Florida’s 14 deepwater ports. All of

Florida’s harbor pilots are independent contractors, belonging to a member

association within our state’s pilotage region, and are responsible for operating

and maintaining one or more offices and pilot stations, pilot boats, dispatch

system, electronic equipment and administrative services. While the FHPA has

been in existence for more than 40 years, professionally-licensed state harbor

pilots have been providing piloting services on Florida’s waterways since 1868.

Tens of thousands of commercial ships enter Florida’s deepwater ports every

year, carrying millions of tons of cargo and millions of passengers, having a

massive impact on the State of Florida. On the navigational bridge of nearly

every ship is a state-licensed harbor pilot, controlling its navigation. This proven

piloting system continues to keep Florida’s ports safe and commerce moving

efficiently 365 days a year.

Because harbor pilots are not employees of the state or port authorities, this

service costs nothing to the state or its citizens – no taxpayer money is needed to

support this safety system. Additionally, harbor pilots are not under economic

pressure to maximize profit. The lives and safety of the people of Florida and the

protection of the state’s ports and coastal environment remain a top priority for

Florida’s harbor pilots.

Reasonable rates keep Florida’s ports competitive in the region. And, all pay is

generated by pilotage fees charged to the vessels, which in Florida, are set by the

Pilotage Rate Review Committee of the Board of Pilot Commissioners, who are

appointed by the Governor.

Harbor pilots are highly skilled and highly trained, and serve as the watchdogs

for the numerous vessels coming in and out of Florida’s ports. Without harbor

pilots, the safety and lives of Floridians, as well as the protection of our state’s

ports and coastal environment would be at risk. - Captain Sam Stephenson, FHPA President

- JAXPORT

Florida Harbor Pilots AssociationFlorida Harbor Pilots AssociationFlorida Harbor Pilots Association

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SEA CADETS VISIT PORT EVERGLADES

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PORT EVERGLADES - On November 21, 2015, Captain Todd Cooper took the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps,

Spruance Division, on a tour of Port Everglades. The tour included visiting the Tate and Vicki McAllister assist tugs, a

tour of the Harbormasters tower and a tour of the M/S Westerdam, a Holland America Lines Passenger Vessel. While

touring the port, the cadets were able to see first hand how much work is taking place at this busy commercial port and

learn about future career opportunities in their own community. Additionally, the Sea Cadets also recently participated in

the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, where their boat was decorated with red, white, and blue lights.

JAXPORT - JAXPORT pilot, Captain Tim McGill, was recently invited to Deerwood

Rotary Club’s monthly meeting by Hancock Bank President Randy Chesak, where he

presented on the role of harbor pilots and JAXPORT.

CAPTAIN TIM MCGILL VISITS DEERWOOD ROTARY CLUB

PORT TAMPA BAY POISED FOR MORE BUSINESS WITH CUBA

WFLA - December 20, 2015 - Tampa Bay President Paul Anderson proclaimed the overall health of the port as good at

the annual State of the Port address. Still, Anderson says there is room for growth. To view this article in full, please

visit bit.ly/1JK2bSG.

CONTAINER SERVICE TO CONNECT PORT CANAVERAL

MARINELINK - December 19, 2015 - GT USA, the US arm of UAE-based global ports

and logistics company Gulftainer, announced the new ‘Blue Stream Service’, a weekly

container cargo service connecting Port Canaveral to Europe, the French West Indies, and

Central America. To view this article in full, please visit bit.ly/1OToaW4.

Right: Blue Stream’s maiden call at GT USA’s Canaveral Cargo Terminal is expected on January

31. Courtesy Port Canaveral