The Florida Harbor Pilots Association is a voluntary organization comprised of 97 highly-skilled and highly-trained harbor pilots that serve each of Florida’s 14 deepwater ports.

Our association’s state-regulated and licensed harbor pilots have been taking navigational control of foreign flagged cargo and cruise ships and directing their movement into and out of Florida’s ports for decades. As harbor pilots, it is our duty to act in the public interest and maintain independent judgment from any outside influences that may jeopardize maritime safety.

In addition to ensuring the safe navigation of these vessels, our harbor pilots know the intricate details and local conditions of the waterways and channels within Florida’s ports and are often called upon by our state’s port authorities to assist with the planning of new seaport development and new ship operations.

Our 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.