Serving the Tampa Bay Maritime Community Since 1886 Celebrating over 125 Years of Service
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Piloting is an essential service of such paramount importance that its continued existence must be secured by the state and may not be left open to market forces. (Chapter 310, Florida Statutes: Pilots, Piloting and Pilotage) Department of Business and Professional Regulations Board of Pilot Commissioners (BOPC) - Appointed by the Governor 10 Members 5 Pilots & 5 Non-Pilots Open Pilot Selection System One of the most highly competitive in U. S. Deputy Training Program Tampa Bay ~ 36 months Pilotage Rate Review Committee 7 Members (BOPC) 2 Pilots & 5 Non-Pilots Safety is the primary objective in the regulation of piloting by the state.
Tampa Bay Pilots Association All vessels shall have a licensed state pilot or certificated deputy pilot on board to direct the movements of the vessel when entering or leaving ports of this state or when underway upon the navigable waters of the bays, rivers, harbors, and ports of this state, except: Vessels exempted by the laws of the United States; Vessels drawing less than 7 feet of water; Any vessel, when docking or undocking; Any vessel, when moving about within a shipyard or moving between a shipyard and a berth or slip directly adjacent to the shipyard; Any of the exempted vessels may request & utilize piloting services. Federal Licensed Pilot Required US Flag Vessels over 1600 gross tons & Petroleum barges over 10,000 gross tons
COMPLEXITY OF THE PORTS OF TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY PORTS, CHANNELS AND NATURAL PASSAGES
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Challenges on Tampa Bay Largest and most difficult piloting domain in Florida 41 miles from sea buoy Tampa Bay Ports - Nation s 10th largest port - Florida s 1 st & 5 th Largest 9 separate ports, 90 miles of pilotage waters Very shallow but expansive bay with little allowance for error Violent squalls & thunderstorms create extreme restricted visibility General traffic meeting, crossing, & overtaking situations No anchorages for deeper draft vessels Tide restriction on several berths Current restrictions at certain channel entrances Exposure to wind, no natural wind breaks Channel shoaling constant evaluation of the changing depths of channel and berths
PILOTING CHALLENGES OF TAMPA BAY INTERSECTING CHANNELS CURRENT RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS DRAFT RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS
TAMPA BAY PILOTS ASSOCIATION Professional People Providing Professional Pilotage Services 20 Pilots Two Watch Sections 10 Pilots Per Section 2 Weeks On Board Avg. Bridge Time: 4 ½ hrs Operates 3 fixed locations one on an island accessible only by boat Pilot Station Sea Buoy: 14 miles
TAMPA BAY PILOTS ASSOCIATION 24 hrs a day 365 days a year ~270 yrs of experience! >4500 transits annually, ~ 225 assignments
Safety is Paramount Constant Challenges Delicate Balance Critical Decision Making
PILOTING CHALLENGES OF TAMPA BAY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES VESSELS
PILOTING CHALLENGES OF TAMPA BAY Broad Spectrum of Vessels Passenger Ships Chemical Tankers Tug Barge Units General Cargo Ships Container Ships Bulk Carriers Naval Vessels (Hydro Foils Nuclear Submarines) Sailing Vessels Small Island Freighters Drilling Platforms, Floating Drydocks Other Form of Vessels Ship Repair Facilities
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Additional Challenges Tampa Bay Large Variety of Nationalities Competency Levels of Crews Small Boats Large # s of One Time & 1 st Time Callers Traffic Patterns Meeting, Crossing & Overtaking Situations
PILOTING CHALLENGES OF TAMPA BAY TIME MANAGEMENT TRAFFIC
Manatee Harbor Strong cross currents in Manatee Channel Loaded ship movements Restricted to near slack water Cross currents creates significant problems turning ships between Manatee & Tampa Bay Channels Limited navigational view no outbound ranges
Manatee Harbor 25% - Tampa Bay Pilots Participated in USACOE Ship Simulator Based Navigation Study Facilitated Discussion on Aids to Navigation Appropriate aids for Turn Basin Realignment of Current Buoy System Appropriate aids for Side Channel Access Addressed Long Standing Need for Outbound Range Applauds the Proactive Steps By Port Manatee in moving forward for acquisition, installation and maintenance of Range Towers Vetting Process with Port Manatee to review the feasibility of unique vessel movement Pilot Vessel Riding Program Initiative to minimize or eliminate preliminary restrictions by riding vessels in other ports prior to their arrival at Port Manatee Enhancement and Clarification of Guidelines for Berth 7,8, and 9: Optimize the Utilization of Contiguous and/or Adjacent Berths Berth 12 Development Manatee Port Authority Long Term Strategic Plan
Expanded Operations and Commerce at Port Manatee Manatee Harbor Widener at Entrance Greatly expand the operating window for vessel transits Adequate Size Turning Basin Facilitate Larger Vessel Movement & Provide Significant Potential for Increase in Size of Vessel Calling on Port Outbound Ranges Facilitate Better Ship Positioning in Manatee Channel Bottom Line
Tampa Bay Pilots Association State of the Art Portable Piloting System Highly accurate ship position information correct to within a few feet. Ship headings accurate to one degree. Ability to see the exact position of their ship s bow and stern in relation to the shoreline, channels, and other vessels, either moving or docked. 24 units @ $10K per unit AIS receivers installed at Pilot Station & Office Increased Dispatchers Situational Awareness
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Professional Development & Training Professional Development & Training Courses Bridge Resource Management for Pilots Navigation Technology and the Role of Pilots Emergency Towing Strategies Recent Tractor Tug Advances Advances in Escorting Techniques Navigation & Restricted Visibility Manned Model Simulation Training Port Revel France Warsash England
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Maritime Community Outreach Dispatcher Software ($65K) Vessel Traffic List Accessible on internet Significant benefit to maritime community Ability to sort through traffic issues Tide and Current Program Valuable Planning Tool for Port Operations & Shipping Agents Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) Development Implementation Utilization Financial Support Tampa Bay Ports Guide Navigational Guidelines for movement of vessels in/out of port Recommended Handling Guidelines for vessel movement in Tampa Bay Facility Operational Guidelines for vessel movement at a specific facility
The Maritime Universe Port Authorities Pilots Perspective Regulatory Agencies Terminal & Facility Operators Harbor Safety & Security Committees Pilots Association Vessel Operators Shipping Agencies U. S. Coast Guard
Safe Passage Throughout Tampa Bay Economic Impact - $18.4 Billion 130,000 Jobs > 40 Million Tons of Cargo ~ 45% of all Seaborne Commerce Passing Through The State ~ 45% of Florida s Fuel Supply 5.7 Billion Gallons of Petroleum Products ~ 50% of Florida Hazardous Chemicals ~ 900,000 Cruise Passengers
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