Article

Be A San Francisco Bar Pilot: Pilot Trainee Training Program

published on 15 March 2022 - 304 -

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The Board of Pilot Commissioners administers a maritime pilot training program. Graduates of the program become Board-licensed maritime pilots. Entrance into the program is via a selection examination.

Before submitting an application: The minimum requirements for entrance into the Pilot Trainee Training Program, are outlined in California Code of Regulations, Title 7, Subsection 213. The Board has initiated regulatory changes that will put in place new minimum experience qualifications to qualify for the exam. These will include allowing Chief Mate experience, piloting in other jurisdictions, and lower tug tonnage requirements. These rule changes can be found here. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be admitted to the examination.

2022 Pilot Trainee Training Program Selection Examination

The next Pilot Trainee Training Program Selection Examination will be held in June 2022 at the California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) in Vallejo, California.

2022 Exam Application
Trainee-Applicant-Handbook-2022
BOPC Exam Press Release 2022
FAQ – How to become a pilot trainee – Frequently asked questions
2019 Trainee Written Exam Reference List (this will be updated when written exam is finalized)
2019 Trainee Exam Simulator Orientation Video

San Francisco Bar Pilots

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Video Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #3-Busan-loading

published on 10 June 2020

The world's first 24,000 TEU container ship HMM Algeciras made its first domestic call to HPNT in Busan New Port on April 28th. HMM Algeciras loaded a total of 4,500 containers from Busan and headed for China.

Video Torquay for PPSP Launch April 2024

published on 3 June 2024

Video SWIRE new ship SUVA CHIEF, dangerous swaying rope ladder for pilot disembark

published on 3 April 2021

For viewers not familiar with the Swire name, the company is a big conglomerate group with businesses in trading, property and aviation (Cathay Pacific) 00:00 SUVA CHIEF, new ship from Swire Shipping, outbound Hong Kong 太古船務的新船 00:20 the ship is running on the North Asia Express (NAX) routing. 新船負責在北亞快運（NAX）航線 01:15 MSC Venice asking why Suva Chief is slow, and the pilot boat still waiting 後面的船 MSC Venice 問為什麼 Suva Chief 在減速 04:15 Pilot finally leaves the bridge tower 領航員終於離開了橋塔 06:...

Article German pilots establish the "Pilot Information Assistant - PIA" project

by Ship&Offshore DVV Media Group - published on 5 September 2019

The PIA project of German pilots is a great maritime success story and ensures greater safety and efficiency on German shipping routes. Thus, with no exceptions, all of the approx. 890 German maritime and port traffic controllers could be gathered for use of the PIA system and its PPU.

Article Delaware Pilots Order New Launch from Gladding-Hearn

published on 15 September 2022

The Pilots’ Association of the Bay and River Delaware have ordered another pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. It’s the pilots’ association’s fourth Chesapeake Class launch and eleventh pilot boat built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard since 1957. Delivery of the new pilot boat is scheduled for 2024.

Video Pilot Boat Tamar Pops Over To Say G'day

published on 2 January 2023

Video Amazing drone video: Berthing a 230m Bulker in Puerto Brisas (Colombia)

published on 5 April 2020

Using two, 66TBP tugs to assist in berthing the 90,000 GT bulker “Jin Weng Feng”. The port is “Puerto Brisas” at La Guajira, Colombia. The vessel is turned to port just outside the berth limits due to limited room in the basin with enough depth. Then she’s backed in.

Video Pilot transfer by helicopter

published on 4 July 2019

This is a video I had captured off U.S Coast from a merchant vessel as the Pilot was transferred from our Ship to Shore via Helicopter.
All recordings were done using N8 (unbelievable clarity!)