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

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Article PSA Marine introduces new Vessel Pilot Communication solution

published on 28 August 2020

PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd (“PSA Marine”) joins the global movement towards sustainable shipping by reducing carbon footprint with the use of a digital solution – Vessel Pilot Communication (“VPC”), launched on 25 August 2020. With VPC, PSA Marine ensures that critical and timely updates on pilot boarding times and traffic conditions in and around the pilot boarding grounds are communicated to vessel masters.

Video Another non-compliant trap door arrangement

published on 4 October 2021

Some pilots have already lost their lives because of this non-compliant construction. We don't want to see such an arrangement again. Here is a latest video from the Middle East.

Video Webcam San Diego | Harbor Island

published on 28 October 2020

Please click JOIN and become a San Diego Web Cam Supporter. Enjoy all San Diego Web Cam live feeds commercial-free as a thank you. 99/cents/month. JOIN: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC88QpAaX8sdqm1fWYSjzbSQ/join Located in San Diego, California, this webcam features a live streaming view of Downtown San Diego & San Diego Bay from Tom Ham's Restaurant on Harbor Island. VHF-16/22A marine radio on Shelter Island cams. NOAA available on Cabrillo (W) cam. Ability to change audio...

Article March 2022 edition of The New Zealand Pilot published

published on 25 March 2022

The March edition of The New Zealand Pilot has been published (link in article).

Video 14,4 m Pilot Boat, Nekton

published on 23 September 2020

Video CAMILA Bulker & Foyle Pilots - Pilot Boarding

published on 15 March 2021

March 8th 20201. Bulk carrier Camila outbound from Lough Foyle after carrying grain to Foyle Port at Lisahally. For this video I focused on the Foyle Leader and Foyle Pilots as they chased the ship to the outer portion of the lough where it enters the open sea.

Article USAID ERA Delivers 2nd Pilot Boat to Ukraine

published on 11 November 2024

USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), delivered a second pilot boat "Lotsman Bolotin" to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) to improve the efficiency and safety of pilots moving to and from vessels navigating the Danube ports.

Video Pilot Boat Hamburg Pilot 3

published on 19 November 2025

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) today presented the pilot transfer vessel Hamburg Pilot 3 in the Port of Hamburg.

Video Port Coordination Centre Zeebrugge

published on 14 October 2021

Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!

by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020

In fact, the pivot point that we “see” is a trick of the eye, it looks like the ship is rotating about this point but in fact it is elsewhere, a point that you cannot see.