Article

Be A San Francisco Bar Pilot: Pilot Trainee Training Program

published on 15 March 2022 - 304 -

Show comment section |

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

What's your opinion on this?

Video Port of Waterford new pilot launch vessel "Port Láirge", handed over at Dunmore East November 2021

published on 27 November 2021

Produced by Safehaven Marine

Press Release Simulation by NAUTITEC, Reality by Emden Pilots

by Frank Diegel - published on 5 March 2021

With only 10 days of preparation time, NAUTITEC successfully executed a high-end simulation of the Odyssey`s river-passage on a scientific level and they are glad to have seen simulation become reality once again.

Article Med Marine Delivered The Two Sister Pilot Boats To Misurata Free Zone

published on 19 December 2022

Med Marine and Misurata Free Zone signed a two-vessel contract for MED-P16 series in March 2022 for Misurata Free Zone’s operations in Misurata, Libya. After 8 months of construction period of the vessels, Misurata Free Zone takes the delivery of the two high- quality pilot boats. Both units have been dispatched on a specialized transport vessel to Libya from Turkey.

Video Pilot boat on the Kiel Fjord

published on 8 June 2023

Video Durban Pilot in action. Helicopter boarding

published on 10 May 2024

Article The fleet of the Azovo-Chernomorsky Basin Branch was replenished with the pilot boat Mechta

published on 1 November 2021

Azovo-Chernomorsky Basin Branch of FSUE "Rosmorport" purchased pilot boat Mechta.

The boat of 1459 project was made in 1985 at the Leningrad Shipyard "Pella" (Otradnoye, USSR).

Video "The Port Pilot" by Richard Blanco - Read by Tom Wilson

published on 30 April 2020

The Port Pilot, by Richard Blanco. In _Looking for The Gulf Motel_, 2012, University of Pittsburgh Press.

Article The International Pilot - Issue Number 48 / July 2020

by IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association - published on 22 December 2021

The Journal of the international Maritime Pilots´ Association

Video Thun London Tanker & Pilot Boat Chase

published on 2 September 2022

August 2022, tanker Thun London and Foyle Leader pilot vessel. www.nightskyhunter.com

Video Documentation 'Marine Pilots' from Port Botany, Sydney (2018)

published on 10 September 2020

It’s an ancient profession that’s vital to Australia’s economic survival. Marine pilots are responsible for the safe movement of cargo and cruise ships in and out of the country’s harbours. Rachel Hayter took to the seas to learn more. (April 2018)