(AP) -- Charleston's harbor pilots are closer to moving into a new building designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that after eight months of construction, the new home for the Charleston Harbor Pilots Association is nearing completion. The old building was moved in December 2007, and since then, the harbor pilot team has worked from a trailer on Concord Street.

Other features in the new building include a kitchen, laundry facilities and a conference room. Walter Prause, port manager for the Charleston Navigation Co., said he expects a fully operational pilot house on the day the team moves in.

Prause said he and the rest of his team hope to be in the new building by the end of October, but will definitely be in it by the end of the year.

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