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Deal Would Raise Port Fees To Raise Harbor Pilots' Pay

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: November 20, 2008

TAMPA - A state panel agreed today to 3 percent increases in fees the next two years for harbor pilots who guide big ships into the Port of Tampa.

The compromise was hammered out after eight hours of intense debate.

The Pilotage Rate Review Board voted 5-1 in favor of the complicated rate increases, which will be applied to various charges that cargo and cruise vessels pay. The revenue pool goes toward harbor pilots' pay, fuel for their pilot boats and other expenses.

The Tampa Bay Pilots Association has asked for successive 9, 8 and 8 percent rate increases over the next three years, respectively. If harbor traffic remained steady, that would increase pay for the top pilots from $262,392 in 2008 to $332,422 in 2011. The port has 23 pilots.

There's no way of knowing whether business will remain constant, so there's no way to tell how the rate increase agreed upon Thursday will affect pay, said Allen Thompson, executive director of the pilots' association.

The board also denied a request the pilots association made in May to enact a fuel surcharge, saying it had no authority to create a surcharge even if it wanted to.

Thompson and Charles Klug, port counsel for the Tampa Port Authority, which opposed any rate increase, said in separate interviews that they were satisfied with the outcome.

The rates could become effective Jan. 1, pending the state's final approval.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at 9813) 259-7817.

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