Captain James Lowe
USCG 200 Ton Licensed Master
(727) 236-1385
Sailing Florida
Captain James Lowe is a licensed professional captain based in Florida and his homeport is Port Canaveral. He is involved in the yacht delivery industry and has stated that "it seems like 90% of all vessel relocations either start, end, or pass through Florida.
Captain James has extensive experience in navigating vessels throughout all regions of Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, the Straits of Florida, and both the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW) and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) along all Florida's navigable waterways.
He has undertaken numerous trips along the St. Johns River, navigating between Jacksonville and Sanford also the Suwannee River between GOM and Branford. Additionally, Captain James has crossed the state multiple times via the (OWW) Okeechobee Waterway connecting Stuart and Ft. Myers and many vessel relocations started or ended or passed through the Fl Keys.
There are some jobs we only do in Florida. Sea Trials are jobs we exclusively undertake in Central to South Florida, spanning from Jacksonville to Miami, Clearwater, Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota, due to the substantial travel required in relation to the job's duration
Due to the shallow waters in various areas of Florida, it is not uncommon to see vessels that have run aground. Therefore, having local knowledge of the area is crucial. Shoaling near inlets is a frequent occurrence and constantly changes. It is essential to keep track of tides, and an experienced Florida captain is always aware of whether the tide is rising or falling. Some of Florida's inlets have strong currents, making it unsafe for underpowered boats to enter or exit except during periods of slack water, while other inlets should be avoided altogether.
Florida is also home to deepwater ports that cater to large commercial vessels and ships. These ports accommodate deep-draft vessels that can move at high speeds
(ships are fast not uncommon for them to do 25-30 knots).
Navigating busy shipping ports comes with its own set of risks, and it is crucial to maintain an alert and vigilant lookout when crossing any of Florida's numerous seaports.
Captain James Lowe, a seasoned professional, possesses extensive expertise in navigating the Big Bend crossing between Florida's west coast and panhandle. He is well-versed in the intricacies of the inside Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) inshore and offshore routes that connects Carrabelle, FL, and Pensacola, and he extends his familiarity with this route as it continues through the states of Alabama or up the Rivers, or into Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas. His comprehensive knowledge and experience enable him to navigate these waterways with confidence.