Rescuer picked up stranded fishermen off Port Everglades South Florida Sun-Sentinel, August 15, 2010 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
FORT LAUDERDALE —On a pitch dark night, Hank Hallinger heard the sound of someone treading water before he saw the two men in the spotlight of his motor boat.
McCollum hitches jobs to vote pitch Florida Today, August 14, 2010 http://www.floridatoday.com
COCOA — On a decal emblazoned to the grill of the Freightliner RV a friend loaned to his campaign, Bill McCollum touts himself as the future governor of the people.
Port Everglades takes precautions to prevent oil tanker spills South Florida Sun-Sentinel, June 30, 2010 http://www.sun-sentinel.com
The 636-foot tanker S/R Wilmington steams through the entrance channel to Port Everglades, carrying gasoline from the Exxon Mobil refinery in Beaumont, Texas.
Safety, security harbor pilots' priorities Miami Herald, April 4, 2010 http://www.miamiherald.com
Tony Villamil's March 28 Speakup letter, Reform harbor pilot system, mischaracterizes the facts of the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability's (OPPAGA) findings in regard to Florida's harbor-pilot system. And, it seems that the Florida Alliance of Maritime Organizations, which he represents, is spinning an issue pertaining to the homeland security and safety of our state's 14 deepwater ports to the benefit of their bottom line. Florida's pilotage rates are based on several factors, including the size of the vessel, measured by its gross tonnage and draft, with larger ships paying higher fees, varying by port and in accordance to the length and duration of trip.
Ports: Harbor pilots deserve support Florida Times-Union, March 26, 2010 http://jacksonville.com/opinion
There are many issues that will be important for Northeast Florida to monitor this legislative session.
Guest column: Harbor pilots put Florida first St. Augustine Record, March 21, 2010 http://staugustine.com/opinions
It continues to amaze me that the foreign cruise and cargo ship owners continue to attack Florida's harbor pilots with intentional misrepresentation of the facts and personal attacks on those that disagree with their self-centered agenda. To claim that Florida's harbor pilots threaten jobs and job growth is absurd and a stretch even for the best of the spinmeisters.
Harbor pilots put port security first Florida Today, March 21, 2010 http://www.floridatoday.com/article
I am writing in response to the recent letter, “ Harbor pilot article missed the boat.”
Harbor pilots make Florida's ports safer South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 17, 2010 http://www.sun-sentinel.com
While Tony Villamil is a noted economist, his Feb. 27 opinion in the Sun Sentinel regarding Florida's harbor pilot system warrants a response. He did not articulate that his study was conducted on behalf of a foreign group of ship owners that has relentlessly targeted the private harbor pilot profession in Florida. Further, I believe that he mischaracterized the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability's findings, pulling from bits and pieces of information and weaving them into a misleading and inaccurate conclusion that solely benefits his client.
Harbor pilots make Florida's ports safer South East Shipping News, March 18, 2010 http://seshippingnews.typepad.com/south_east_shipping_news
While Tony Villamil is a noted economist, his Feb. 27 opinion in the Sun Sentinel regarding Florida's harbor pilot system warrants a response. He did not articulate that his study was conducted on behalf of a foreign group of ship owners that has relentlessly targeted the private harbor pilot profession in Florida. Further, I believe that he mischaracterized the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability's findings, pulling from bits and pieces of information and weaving them into a misleading and inaccurate conclusion that solely benefits his client.
Guest Column: Thrasher: Supports Jax, Fernandina Harbor pilots St. Augustine Record, March 14, 2010 http://staugustine.com/opinions
There are many issues that will be important for Northeast Florida to monitor this session of the Legislature, but one in particular that should be on the radar screen of all of us who count on commerce and tourism traffic in and out of the Port of Jacksonville and the Port of Fernandina -- our St. Johns Bar Pilots and Cumberland Sound Pilots.
Harbor pilots steer clear of rule change Florida Today, March 1, 2010 http://www.floridatoday.com
To the chagrin of the cruise industry and the relief of harbor pilots, a state report does not recommend major changes in the way the state's ports govern harbor pilots.
Harbor pilots steer clear of rule change Tallahassee Democrat, March 1, 2010 http://www.tallahassee.com
To the chagrin of the cruise industry and the relief of harbor pilots, a state report does not recommend major changes in the way the ...
Shipping industries, pilots disagree over piloting rate regulation Florida Times-Union, March 1, 2010 http://jacksonville.com
TALLAHASSEE — Harbor pilots and maritime industries are feuding over the regulation of piloting rates in difficult economic times, with both sides arguing that a recent legislative report proves their point.
Who gets to steer big ships into port? St. Petersburg Times, February 17, 2010 http://www.tampabay.com
Ever see the TV show The Love Boat?
Florida pilots defend existing system Lloyd’s List, February 15, 2010 Lloyd's List (PDF)
FLORIDA pilots have cited a state agency’s reluctance to modify the existing pilotage system as proof that the current system “provides the greatest benefit to the public”.
Cptn. Thomas Hackett - Oasis of the Seas WPLG TV Local 10 Miami, December 12, 2009 http://floridapilots.com The world's largest cruise ship is about to set sail into South Florida; but parking the Oasis of the Seas will be no easy feat; and no one knows that better than the pilot in charge of the task.
The high cost of bringing the biggest boats to port St. Petersburg Times, December 6, 2009 http://www.tampabay.com/news
Harbor pilot Joseph Shary ticks off some hazards of his profession as he rides out to climb aboard a tanker bigger than the tallest building in the Tampa Bay area.
A few words about ports, politics and Florida’s Harbor Pilots South East Shipping News, October 23, 2009 http://seshippingnews.typepad.com
Who wants a discount pilot with limited experience docking your overloaded cruise ship in a torrential gale with a litigious bunch of blue hairs on board?
Harbor Pilots Help Guide Ships Florida Today, November 19, 2009 http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net Harbor pilots ensure the safe passage of ships into and out of Port Canaveral.
Harbor pilots in rough water Florida Today, November 15, 2009 http://www.floridatoday.com
PORT CANAVERAL - Grabbing the shifting rope ladder to scramble five stories up the side of a berthed freighter, harbor pilot Capt. David Callan risked his life for the first time of the day.
Florida Pilots: A friend to those who cruise Chris Cruises, October 25, 2009 http://chriscruises.wordpress.com
If you have been on a cruise and watched carefully as the ship either leaves or comes back to shore, you will have seen what looks like a small speedboat with the word “PILOT” on it. That pilot is one of a select few individuals with a skill necessary to get your large ship in and out of the port.
Harbor pilots group criticizes study Travel Weekly, October 22, 2009 http://www.travelweekly.com
The Florida Harbor Pilots Association (FHPA) rejected the outcome of a study that calls the state's pilot system a monopoly that limits pilot numbers and inflates pilots average salaries to $368,000 per year.
Florida harbor pilots getting ready for world's largest cruise ship Professional Mariner, October 2, 2009 http://www.professionalmariner.com
(PORT EVERGLADES, Fla.) -- Capt. Andrew Edelstein, of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, wrote a guest commentary that appeared in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper of Fort Lauderdale. Edelstein said the pilots are working with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to ensure safety when the world's largest cruise ship begins calling at Port Everglades.
Would you want this job? Harbor Pilot WPBT-TV Channel 2 Miami, October 1, 2009 http://ka.uvuvideo.org
Would you would this job? explores out-of-the ordinary career. In this episode, Sarah Bitterman, student at St Thomas University, meets with a Harbor Pilot to learn more about his profession.
Harbor pilots ready to meet needs of port South Florida Sun-Sentinel, September 30, 2009 http://www.sun-sentinel.com
We agree with the Sun Sentinel article that piloting the world's largest cruise ship is no job for amateurs. A lot of planning has gone into ensuring the home of the world's largest ship is ready for this caliber of a vessel.
NOAA to cut buoy info program, Harbor pilots concerned about safe navigation Key West Citizen, August 16, 2009 http://keysnews.com
Key West harbor pilot Capt. Bob McGuire accesses information from the Sand Key Lighthouse monitoring station via computer numerous times a day. However, that monitoring station and six others throughout the Florida Keys and South Florida could be shut down as soon as September.
International trade rebound skips South Florida Miami Herald, August 14, 2009 http://www.miamiherald.com
While nationwide trade is on the upswing, signaling the recession is beginning to lose steam, activity at South Florida's ports shows the downturn is far from over.
Harbor pilots critical to safety in ports Palm Beach Post, August 9, 2009 http://g2.palmbeachpost.com
A recent story in The Post that points out how dangerous it has become to navigate the Port of Palm Beach ("Small boats obstructing large vessels in channel," July 25) illustrates the ongoing need across Florida for highly trained and highly skilled harbor pilots.
Florida’s Harbor Pilots Call on FAMO to Stop Playing Games with Port Safety March 18, 2010 FHPA House Committee Release
State Study Confirms Existing Pilotage System Provides Greatest Benefit to Public & Ports February 11, 2010 FHPA OPPAGA Report Release
Member of the Port Everglades Pilot Association to Navigate USNS Comfort into Port July 24, 2009 Port Everglades Media Advisory
Videos
Photographs
Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) & Senator Nancy Detert (R-Venice) with Capts. Stephen Gasecki & Ben Borgie in Sarasota, Fla.
Senator John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine) was the keynote speaker at the 2009 FHPA Convention, where he spoke to the importance of port safety and continuing to support the harbor pilots profession within the State of Florida.
Senator Mike Haridopolos (R-Merritt Island) on a tour of Port Canaveral with Capt. Ben Borgie.
Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) on a tour of Port Canaveral with Capt. Ben Borgie.
Boy Scout Troop 338 on a tour of Port Canaveral with Capt. Ben Borgie, who gave a lesson on boating safety, the rules of the navigational road & boat handling.
Maine Maritime Cadet Manual Reyes, who was a recipient of the 2009 FHPA Scholarship Program, with Capt. Andrew Edelstein.
Kingspoint Cadet Sarah Manson, who was a recipient of the 2009 FHPA Scholarship Program, with Capt. Andrew Edelstein.
Kingspoint Cadet Rolando Santos, who was a recipient of the 2009 FHPA Scholarship Program, with Capt. Andrew Edelstein.
Commander Aylwyn Young of the U.S. Coast Guard Presented Capt. John Wrasse a Certificate of Merit in recognition of his service to the maritime community in St. Petersburg, Fla., on June 15, 2009.
Commander Aylwyn Young of the U.S. Coast Guard presented Capt. Jeff Hilliard a Certificate of Merit in recognition of his service to the maritime community in St. Petersburg, Fla.
U.S. Second Fleet Vice Admiral Mel Williams, Jr. presented the Above & Beyond Award on behalf of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to the Capts. Sam Stephenson, Mark Patterson and Jim Ryan of the Port Everglades Pilots Association.
