Florida Harbor Pilots Association

09/01/2026

This is the largest ship to ever come into the Port of Pensacola!! ⚓️

07/25/2026

Every day, Florida's ports handle a constant flow of cruise ships, cargo vessels, Navy ships, and more.

Moving them safely is the goal of the job. Moving them efficiently is just as important.

Canaveral Pilot, Capt. Ben Borgie explain how harbor pilots coordinate vessel traffic and keep ports like Port Canaveral operating around the clock.

07/22/2026

Welcome back TX-10,000 to Port Pensacola ⚓️

Docked at the Port of Pensacola is the TX-10,000, the largest heavy-lift catamaran vessel ever built in the United States.

Formerly known as the VB-10,000 and now owned by Xenos Marine, this engineering giant is impossible to miss.

Standing 250 feet tall and stretching 297 feet long by 310 feet wide, the TX-10,000 is designed to lift some of the world’s heaviest offshore structures with an incredible 7,500-ton lifting capacity.

Its unique twin-gantry catamaran design allows it to tackle projects that few vessels on Earth can handle.

Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast, an engineering fan, or just appreciate seeing something extraordinary, this is one impressive sight on Pensacola’s waterfront.

07/18/2026

Why do ships take harbor pilots?

Every port has its own challenges and ports like Port Everglades are no exception.

Harbor pilots play a critical role in the maritime transportation industry, using local knowledge to safely guide vessels through the unique waterways, channels, currents, and traffic of each port.

The Florida Harbor Pilots Association is comprised of nearly 100 highly skilled, highly trained harbor pilots serving each of Florida's 14 deepwater ports. Their local expertise helps ensure the safe and efficient movement of the ships that keep Florida's economy moving.

05/22/2026

Today we celebrate National Maritime Day and recognize the men and women who keep our ports, waterways, and global commerce moving safely and efficiently every day. ⚓🌎

From mariners and harbor pilots to tug crews, port workers, vessel operators, and everyone who supports the maritime industry — thank you for your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to safety.

On this Maritime Day, we honor the proud traditions of the maritime profession and those who continue to carry it forward.

Happy Maritime Day! 🚢

05/04/2026

What’s cooler than space and ships, especially mixed together ⚓️🚀

04/16/2026

Florida is lucky to have leaders who truly recognize the value of our ports. This week, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue visited PortMiami and joined the pilots for a ride-along, while DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin did the same at Port Jacksonville.

Thank you, Secretaries Perdue and Griffin, for your continued leadership and support of Florida’s ports!

03/17/2026

Florida’s pilot associations are the eyes and ears on the waterways 24/7, 365 days a year. Because pilots and pilot boat crews are constantly out working ships, they’re often the first to see when something isn’t right on the water.

A few weeks ago in Key West was a good example.

As an inbound tanker was approaching to deliver fuel to the Naval Air Station, a small dinghy broke down right in the ship’s track. With the tanker already inbound and limited room to maneuver, it quickly became a situation that needed to be handled.

Pilot boat operator Capt. Jay Johnson was able to get a line across and tow the disabled dinghy clear of the channel and out of the tanker’s path saving the small boat from what could have turned into a very bad day on the water.

This story is a good reminder of the work pilot boat operators across the state do every day to keep Florida ports running.

📸: .the.delusional.dreamer (IG)

03/13/2026

Last month members of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association had the pleasure of hosting maritime historian and educator Sal Mercogliano, the creator of the YouTube channel What’s Going on With Shipping?.

Dr. Mercogliano was in Jacksonville as the keynote speaker at the State of the Port luncheon hosted by the Jacksonville Propeller Club. While visiting the port, he got to see firsthand what the St. Johns Bar Pilots do every day to safely guide vessels up and down the river.

During a pilot boat ride, he observed pilots disembark a vessel and board another, both Jones Act vessels. The experience gave him a close look at the precision, timing, and teamwork required for harbor pilots operating in one of Florida’s busiest ports.

We encourage anyone interested in maritime trade and port operations to attend future Propeller Club events at their local port!

For those who want to learn more about the global shipping industry, check out Dr. Mercogliano’s YouTube channel, What’s Going on With Shipping?, where he provides clear and insightful analysis of maritime news and shipping trends.

Members of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association are proud to support numerous local and national charitable organizations. Florida’s harbor pilots support their communities both financially and by volunteering their time and talent to help make a difference on the water and to make their communities a better place to live and work.