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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Article New website to recruit Pilots for Nederlands Loodswezen

by Frank Diegel - published on 1 October 2021

The Dutch language is a requirement:
Wil je weten hoe je registerloods kunt worden? Of ben je op zoek naar een uitdagende functie bij de ondersteunende organisatie Nederlands Loodswezen BV?

Video Montrose Port Authority Pilot Boat Arrival

published on 29 December 2022

Montrose Port Authority's new pilot boat was welcomed by water cannons as it arrived at its new home at the port of Montrose on Thursday 22nd December, making its journey from Ireland where the boat was constructed.
Read more about the pilot boat arrival on the Montrose Port Authority website: https://montroseport.co.uk/2022/12/23/pilot-boat-new/

Video Liverpool Pilot Boats Naming Ceremony (2018)

published on 13 July 2022

Pilot boats Petrel, Kittiwake and Razorbill officially named in the Albert Dock, Liverpool back in April 2018. Each boat was officially named. Afterwards i was allowed onboard to have a sneak peak at Petrel, which a short video is included at the end of this video.

Video Entering the Port of Suape

published on 11 April 2022

Manobra de entrada no Complexo de Suape. Prático Tomás Hatherly, da Praticagem PE.
#Praticagem #PraticagemDePernambuco #ZP9 #PraticagemDoBrasil #Navegaçao #Manobras #SemAcidentes #Portos #Eficiencia

Article Marine Pilots Events

by Frank Diegel - published on 5 July 2021

The list of physical pilot events is very clear in times of Corona. Nevertheless, it can be viewed at www.Marine-Pilots.com/events. Does anyone have more information about events?

Article Fall overboard during pilot transfer, Moreton Bay, Queensland, on 2 July 2025

published on 19 September 2025

Occurrence Brief from the ATSB (Australia)

Video Spiral-Test -Manoeuvre for detailed identification of Yaw Stability using Samples of Cruise Ship

published on 29 September 2021

This video shows an introduction on the Spiral-Test-Manoeuvre and describes the procedure how to steer through this manoeuvre and measure the data needed. The results will be displayed in a characteristic diagram allowing to identify stable and unstable conditions and related, detailed information, e.g. spiral loop width and height, rudder angle of neutral effect. Samples of stable and unstable ship behaviour demonstrations will be shown by Fast Time Simulation using the SAMMON Planning tool.

Article NTSB Investigation: Towing vessel pilot never reported hitting bridge in Louisiana

published on 13 March 2023

The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact of the Miss Mollye D tow with the Route 182 bridge was a loss of control of the tow by the pilot at the helm of the towing vessel, likely due to impairment by factors such as fatigue or drug use.