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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 Docking Maneuver with Tugs by Drone View

published on 18 February 2021

A stunning view while docking manuerve by drone view, nowadays in some port in some countries, the pilot and port authorities uses the drone to monitor the entire operation. Deck Cadet's Notebook Video series. Comment down below of what topics you should know? The beginning | Deck Cadet's Notebook https://youtu.be/6ylnWj3FyXU Music:lights Musician:ikson Music promoter: vlog no copyright music Link:https://youtu.be/bqk80OOCxOQ

Article MARS-Report: Paltry PPU position predictor

by The Nautical Insitute - published on 18 August 2023

To monitor the vessel’s progress, the pilot had set up his portable pilotage unit (PPU). He had connected the rate-of-turn generator to the vessel’s pilot plug and had set a variable range marker on the radar with a radius of 0.5 nm.

Video Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association

published on 27 May 2020

May is Maritime Month at the Port of San Diego and we are proud to highlight some of our hardworking men and women of the Working Waterfront. Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association. His work consists of guiding ships in and out of San Diego Bay in a safe and efficient manner. A typical day includes guiding a 650-foot car carrying vessel or a 950-foot cruise ship into San Diego Bay. This entails boarding the vessels by climbing up a ladder,...

Video Pilot Boat Self-Righting Test

published on 9 January 2020

Testing Self-righting properties of the new Kewatec Pilot 1630.

Article China's first fully electric tugboat delivered in Lianyungang

published on 22 August 2021

On August 16, the first domestic fully electric tugboat "Yungang Electric Tug No. 1" independently built by Lianyungang Port Holding Group was delivered for trial operation in Lianyungang, Jiangsu.

Video Pilot Boat near Amber Cove

published on 13 January 2023

Pilot boat going back to Amber Cove

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

Article Safehaven Marine Deliver The First Of 3 Interceptor 48 Pilot Boats ‘VB Mouna’ For Boluda, Tanger Med

published on 14 April 2023

Safehaven Marine is a well-known boat builder based in Ireland that specializes in the design and construction of pilot boats. The company has built a reputation for producing top-quality vessels that are reliable, durable, and safe in all weather conditions. Safehaven Marine has delivered 60 pilot boats worldwide, and its latest launch, the VB Mouna, is the latest addition to its impressive resume.

Video Interceptor 60 Pilot alongside ship handling sea trials

published on 2 April 2025

Here’s a cool little video of the 2nd Interceptor 60 ‘Rubban’ built for DP World undergoing alongside ship handling sea trials, with some lovely drone footage of the container ship ‘BG Ireland’ as well.

Video Maldives Pilotage

published on 22 November 2019

MALDIVES PILOTAGE