St. Johns Bar Pilots navigate deep waters to steer cargo ships away from Jacksonville bridges
Before the cargo ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, crew members sent out a mayday signal, allowing first responders on the ground to block traffic from the bridge.
Maryland officials have credited their actions as life-saving.
Though the ship was sailing for Sri Lanka, the pilot at the time was a local member of the Association of Maryland Pilots, USA TODAY reported. According to maritime law, all foreign flag vessels must be piloted into state ports by a licensed state pilot.
The pilot, accustomed to the local waters, attempted to minimize damage as the ship lost power.
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“The pilot was directing navigation of the ship as it happened,” Clay Diamond, executive director of American Pilots’ Association, told USA TODAY. “He asked the captain to get the engines back online. They weren’t able to do that, so the pilot took all the action he could. He tried to steer, to keep the ship in the channel. He also dropped the ship’s anchor to slow the ship and guide the direction.
“Neither one was enough. The ship never did regain its engine power.”
The Jacksonville equivalent to the Maryland association is the St. Johns Bar Pilot Association, a 134-year-old organization that works to navigate ships from the ocean through the St. Johns River to port.
The president of the association, Captain Barrie R. Snyder Jr., said they did not have enough information to comment on the specifics of the Maryland accident, but the group stands ready to serve the community.
“We are in communication with our colleagues at JAXPORT and stand ready to serve the Port of Jacksonville while they determine how this will impact local maritime activities,” Snyder said. “We have a strong maritime community, and we join them with our prayers for the victims, first responders and everyone affected by this tragic accident.”
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Who are the St. Johns bar pilots?
The pilots are independent contractors and part of the St. Johns Bar Pilot Association.
What does a bar pilot do?
Bar pilots work with local and state authorities. They travel via their own boats to the cargo and cruise ships still in the ocean looking to make port in Jacksonville, where they climb aboard a rope ladder on the side of the ship.
They then help the ship navigate from the ocean into Jacksonville ports, as they are experts in local terrain and can avoid problematic areas.
“Harbor pilots are the watchdogs for the numerous foreign flagged cargo and cruise ships coming in and out of our state’s ports, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” the group’s website reads. “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.”
How many St. Johns bar pilots are there?
13
What kind of ships do the St. Johns Bar pilots lead to port?
If a vessel draws seven feet or more of water, they are required to have a licensed state pilot or certified deputy pilot onboard to direct the vessel when entering or leaving Florida waterways.
Are there harbor pilots in other Florida cities?
Yes. There are 11 pilot companies in Florida providing services to 14 seaports.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Could a Jacksonville bridge collapse? St. Johns Bar Pilots help ships
