TALLAHASSEE, FL – On August 3, Secretary Jonathan Zachem of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation appointed five new deputy harbor pilots to Florida ports. Among them was the first female deputy-pilot appointee in nineteen years, Captain Dana S. Ryan, who was appointed to the Port of Palm Beach. Other appointments included Captain Travis Diemert to Port Everglades; Captain Niall Kennedy to Port Canaveral; and Captains Brendan Myers and Captain Kenneth J. Sears, Jr. to the Port of Tampa Bay.
“Deputy harbor-pilot appointments are extremely competitive, and candidates have rigorous experience and examination requirements,” Secretary Zachem said. “We congratulate the recent appointees and thank them for their service to help ensure the ships on Florida waterways, as well as our citizens and coastal environment, are safe.”
Deputy pilots are authorized by the State of Florida to pilot vessels within the limits and specifications established by state-licensed pilots at ports where deputies are appointed to serve. They must complete a mandatory apprenticeship before becoming full pilots authorized to guide cruise and cargo ships into Florida ports without supervision.
DBPR’s Division of Professions is responsible for licensing over 434,000 professionals, including harbor pilots. Housed in the Division is the Board of Pilot Commissioners. For licensing and application information, please visit the harbor pilots’ board page.
