— The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. —
Resolution to the Florida State Legislature
by The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
in Support of Florida State Pilots
April 23, 2010
For Immediate Release
Whereas: The Florida State Pilots and the State Pilotage system is under attack by foreign flagged and owned shipping companies, and
Whereas: said foreign flagged companies have as their prime directive profit over safety and the environment of the state, or any public waters or land, andWhereas: said vessels operated by foreign flagged companies are getting ever larger and are more restricted in their ability to maneuver within the confined channels of the various ports within the State, and
Whereas: the Florida State Pilots are well trained to handle vessels of any size in confined spaces and channels under all conditions, and
Whereas: the Florida State Pilots have an exemplary safety record in the handling of vessels within the waters of the State, and
Whereas: the Florida State Pilots are citizens of the State of Florida and accountable to their fellow citizens in ensuring the safety, and the protection of the environment of the State, and
Whereas: the State Pilotage System has been working and has provided competent pilots to each district within the state since inception, and
Whereas: Whereas: the protection of the State’s waters, land, and citizens should never take a back seat to the profit of a foreign flagged vessel operator, therefore
Be it Resolved: that The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. support the State Pilots and the State Pilotage system in the State of Florida in the manner which it now exists, and implores the Legislature of the State of Florida to make no substantive changes to the State Pilotage Laws that are now in place.