WATCH: Port Canaveral Harbor Pilots Guide Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas

By  //  November 26, 2018

largest cruise ship ever built at 230,000 tons

WATCH: Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built at 230,000 tons, was boarded by the Canaveral Pilots Association harbor pilot Doug Brown and Rich Grimison during a recent visit to Port Canaveral(Port Canaveral video)

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built at 230,000 tons, was boarded by the Canaveral Pilots Association harbor pilot Doug Brown and Rich Grimison during a recent visit to Port Canaveral.

Every large vessel that comes in and out of Port Canaveral has a harbor pilot who safely navigates the ship every single time a cruise or cargo ship comes to port.

Everything takes place out at sea before the ship even enters the channel. Both ships are moving while the pilot boards the ship.

The Canaveral Pilots Association serves Port Canaveral, Florida as State and Federally licensed Harbor Pilots. All pilots are experienced Merchant Marine Master Mariners who, after serving for years on ships at sea, have completed an intense state testing and training program as Deputy Pilots to become fully licensed State Pilots.

“The Canaveral Pilots are the local navigational experts for Port Canaveral and our pilots board all inbound and outbound foreign-flagged ocean-going ships, as well as U.S. flagged vessels on foreign and domestic voyages,” said Canaveral Pilots Association officials on its website.

“While onboard the ships, the Canaveral Pilots ‘take the conn’ and direct the movement of the vessels when navigating the channels and basins of Port Canaveral. As state pilots, we provide compulsory Pilotage as provided by state law and regulated by the State Board of Pilot Commissioners.

“Our mandate, under state law, is the protection to the fullest extent possible of state waters, harbors and port resources, the environment, life and property, with safety as the primary objective.”

The Canaveral Pilots Association was presented a Public Service Commendation award from the Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District for dedication to reopening the Port Canaveral waterways in October 2016 following the closure of the port due to Hurricane Matthew. Above, Canaveral Pilots Association Co-Chairmen Ben Borgie and Brendan McMillin received the award from Supervisor Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral, LCDR Jason Kling. (Canaveral Pilots Association image)
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As federally licensed pilots, they offer a level of experience and training that can not be matched to all vessels requiring pilotage under federal law and to all government and military vessels.

The Canaveral Pilots Association maintains close cooperation and coordination with the Canaveral Port Authority, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and federal and local law enforcement agencies to provide for the safe, secure and efficient management of ship traffic in Port Canaveral.

Symphony is the world’s largest cruise ship, offering 28 more staterooms than her newest sister ship Harmony of the Seas and is 3,000 tons more than Harmony of the Seas. Symphony is 1,188 feet long. (Royal Caribbean image)

Symphony is the world’s largest cruise ship, offering 28 more staterooms than her newest sister ship Harmony of the Seas and is 3,000 tons more than Harmony of the Seas. Symphony is 1,188 feet long.

The newest member of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis class of ships touts new features and amenities for guests and Symphony of the Seas also boasts all the groundbreaking innovations and thrilling experiences that have garnered worldwide recognition for Harmony of the Seas.

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Symphony of the Seas Stats & Facts:

• Class and type: Oasis-class cruise ship
• Tonnage: 230,000 gross tonnage
• Length: 1,188 feet;  Beam: 154 feet
• Draft: 30 feet
• Decks: 18
• Speed: 22 knots (25 mph) cruising
• Capacity: 6,870 passengers; Crew: 2,100

Among the award-winning and acclaimed favorites are the distinct seven-neighborhood concept, imaginative and sophisticated dining, Bionic Bar robot bartenders powered by Makr Shakr, Broadway-caliber entertainment, the iconic waterfront AquaTheater, the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, and Ultimate Abyss – the tallest slide at sea that drops 10 stories.

ABOVE: The newest member of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis class of ships, Symphony of the Seas, is floated out of drydock at STX in France.

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