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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Video Cielo di Iyo met by Harbor Pilot

published on 20 January 2021

In early December, just as I was starting to get into ship spotting, I saw a couple of vessels headed up river towards Philly. One of them, the Cielo di Iyo met with the harbor pilot right as I had my drone up. I was able to capture the Pilot coming to meet the vessel and CLIMBING the ladder to get on board just before she passed beneath the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Video Dublin Port | MOB (Man Overboard) Exercise

published on 3 November 2021

This is an exercise that is carried out at regular intervals by all crews on the Pilot boats and Tugs operating in Dublin Port, it is essential that crews are trained and ready to respond to any eventuality involving a MOB. In some instances it could be a casualty from another vessel. Being familiar with equipment and knowing what to do in any emergency is essential on board any vessel. #IrishPortSafetyWeek #DublinPort Find out more at: https://www.dublinport.ie/irish-ports-host-inaugural-...

Article Focus on Pilots: Latest edition of The Nautical Institute magazine "The Navigator"

published on 4 February 2022

The Navigator - Issue 29 is now available to read for free.
This issue looks at Pilot safety and can be downloaded or read online.

Video Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #1-Qingdao

published on 5 June 2020

1st 24,000 TEU vessel, 1st Containers loaded, 1st Port call Qingdao

Video Super Yacht Use Pilot Boats

published on 1 March 2022

Check this out! Superyacht’s use pilot boats and maritime pilots to safety navigate the ship into port or to take her out to sea. The pilot has local knowledge of the port and immense details of those local waterways.
Here’s how the pilot climbs aboard!
#yachtworld #yachts #luxurylifestyle #yachtlife #yachting #pilot #marinepilot #superyacht #marineport

Article Winter Edition of "The Master, Mates & Pilot" available

published on 22 December 2021

The Winter Edition of "The Mastes, Mates & Pilot" by the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) has been released.

Video Smartship Australia

published on 25 February 2020

Footage showing what the simulators look like and how they can be used to simulate ship movement in various ports.

Video Pilot Talks Episode 3 - Special Guest. Capt. Henk Hensen

published on 24 August 2021

Welcome to our next episode of:- Pilot Talks... Pilot ki Baat..! Hosted by Capt. Vijay Sharma, Master Mariner @capt.vijay along with Co-Host Capt.Gajanan Karanjikar, President of AIMPA, India @captgajanan We have the honor to invite our Special Guest. Capt. Henk Hensen. Capt Henk makes the point that it is often not known WHY effects and accidents happen. When piloting board ships and in simulators, the big WHY was not often visible but manned-models show everything clearly as I found...

Video Brixham harbour pilot boat

published on 2 November 2023

Video from Brixham, UK

Video Stuck at sea: Mega cargo ship wedged in Suez Canal causes traffic jam

published on 25 March 2021

Tug boats and a digger struggle to free a mega cargo ship, blocking one of the world's busiet shipping pathways.
Dozens of ships are stuck because a container ship almost half a kilometre long is wedged across the waterway.