The pilots who shuttle large ships in Maine's busiest port want a big raise
In May, the Portland Board of Harbor Commissioners approved a fee hike for piloting foreign ships into Portland Harbor, a measure required by state and federal law. Harold Pachios, the attorney for Canada-based ferry company, Bay Ferries, contends that the board failed in its role as a regulator when it approved the fee increase without reviewing the financials of the two pilots licensed in Portland Harbor.
Continuing Coverage:
- Fees for steering large, foreign ships into Portland's port to change again, Bangor Daily News
- Portland Harbor board resets pilot rates - and the pilots are fuming, Portland Press Herald
- Bill would benefit The Cat by exempting ferries from Maine pilot fees, Portland Press Herald
- LePage urges 4 Portland Harbor commissioners to resign for approving higher pilot fees, Portland Press Herald
- Ferry operator sues pilots, city over fee increase in Portland Harbor, Professional Mariner
An Excerpt
“Clearly the ‘independent’ commission and the monopoly it regulates are cooperating to ensure the financials are hidden from the public,” Bay Ferries’ lawyer, Harold Pachios, a founding partner with Preti Flaherty, said.
Bay Ferries runs “The Cat” ferry through Portland harbor almost daily during the summer and said that the increased pilotage fee would cost it $96,000 more each year.