Welcome to St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association, LLC
The St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association is an elite group of highly trained, skilled, and experienced professional mariners. Each pilot goes through a rigorous state regulated selection and training program before being accepted as a state licensed pilot. All St. Andrew Bay Pilots hold licenses as First Class Pilots from the U.S. Coast Guard and the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation and State Board of Pilot Commissioners. The Pilot serves as an expert in shiphandling and local knowledge to ensure the safe navigation and maneuvering of ships when entering and departing the port.
The St. Andrew Bay Pilots provide pilot service to all commercial users of St. Andrew Bay and its approaches from the Hathaway Bridge to the Dupont Bridge. This includes NSA Panama City at Alligator Bayou, Port Panama City West Terminal, Chevron, Eastern Shipbuilding, Port Panama City East Terminal, and Tyndall Air Force Base. The St. Andrew Bay Pilots also provide cross license service to the Port of Port St. Joe and St. Joe Bay. All foreign flag vessels and U.S. flag vessels engaged in foreign trade drawing more than 7 feet are required to be under the direction and control of a Licensed Florida State Pilot while in Florida waters.
The history of St. Andrew Bay bar pilots is traced back to 1880 when Captain Stephen Anderson guided the cattle boats from Grassy Point on North Bay through the old pass enroute to Cuba. The first appointment of a bar pilot was in 1908 when Captain W.E. Spiva was assigned the task. Captain Spiva was joined in 1913 by Captain Alex Alexander and Captain T.L. Croft. Today Captain Zach Condon and Captain Phillip Brady III serve as the active state harbor pilots.
About Pilots
Pilot Role
Failure to do the job properly can cause irreparable damage to the environment and can certainly have far-reaching effects beyond that.
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Become A Pilot
To obtain a harbor pilot’s license, there are numerous procedures that are highly-regulated and required by state law and board rules.
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Facts About Pilots
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.
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