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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

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Video Pilot 745 SE from Sweden

published on 25 September 2022

Video Time Lapse: Pilotage of an inbound LNG Carrier, Port of Rotterdam

published on 6 July 2019

Time Lapse Video: An inbound LNG carrier arrives at the Port of Rotterdam. At sea, in the Eurogeul channel, two maritime pilots have joined the vessel. Between the breakwaters four harbour tugs (Smit Harbour Towage) make fast to assist her manoeuvre. In the Beerkanaal channel the LNG carrier is stopped and swung before entering the Nijlhaven harbour. While approaching LNG Jetty 1 the ship's mooring lines are taken ashore by mooringboats (Koninklijke Roeiers Vereeniging Eendracht).
Pilot...

Opinion AMPI Position Paper: Ethical use of pilotage data

by Australasian Marine Pilots Institute - published on 31 July 2024

The use of historical navigation data by ports is essential for safety investigations globally. In the digital age, a wealth of pilotage data is available, aiding operations and training but potentially causing stress if misused.

Article Update: "Strength of Pilot Ladders and Intermediate Securing of Pilot Ladders"

by Capt. Troy Evans - published on 2 November 2020

An investigation into actual strength of ladders and intermediate securing methods used.
Capt. and Marine Pilot Troy Evans (New Zealand) decided to look into pilot ladder strength and intermediate securing arrangements after MNZ put out what he felt was a confusing and unclear document about securing of pilot ladders.

Opinion Anti-Entrapment Pilot Boat

by Captain Francesco Aiello - Honorary Member Fedepiloti ROMA, Italy - published on 21 April 2020

The entrapment problem of a pilot ladder has not yet been solved and has prompted Captain Francesco Aiello to seek a solution. His very simple idea (patented) has been internationally recognized as innovative.

Video Risk Involved When Preparing Combination Ladder

published on 9 September 2020

Risk Involved When Preparing Combination Ladder

Opinion A Brief Comparison of the 2021 and 2022 IMPA Safety Campaigns

by Capt. Uluç Hanhan - published on 20 December 2022

As my colleagues know, IMPA conducts a “safety campaign” in the fall every year. The 2022 safety survey report was released a few days ago. First of all, we would like to thank the pilots who participated in this survey from all over the world.

Video How does GPS work?

published on 4 July 2019

by Casual Navigation

Video United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA)

published on 22 September 2023

A short intro to the work of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots. #supportingpilots #protectingtrade #ukpilots #maritime
www.ukmpa.org

Video Whitten Road Haulage - Pilot Boat - Cork to A Coruna

published on 8 November 2020

Shown here is some footage of a pilot boat that was recently expertly delivered by our driver Declan to A Coruna from Cork. This load was 4.85m high, 24m long and 4.2m wide overall. It takes a great team coordinating from our office to organise the shipping, escorts and permits here in Ireland and Spain in order to make Declan's job a bit easier. It then takes the drivers expert hand to ensure that the load arrives safely and you can be sure in using Whitten Road Haulage that our years of...