Port Captains and Pilots
Port CaptainsA Port Captain is an experienced ex-ship Captain or Chief Officer, who is appointed by the ship operator at various significant seaports. He is the shipping company’s or the ship owner’s senior shore-side operational representative. He gets involved in a multitude of activities including: liaising with shippers, planning loading operations, assessing the condition of the ship and recommending any needed repairs, and liaising with maritime authorities such as the Coast Guard. His responsibility is to satisfy those interests of the shipper that coincide with the interests of the operator and the ship.
PilotsPilots go back to ancient times. They are charged by the port with ensuring the safe transit of ships in and out of the harbor. With local weather conditions, tides, shoals, bridges and other navigational hazards, unfamiliar to a foreign captain, the local pilot works with the captain to guide the ship safely in and out of the port. Pilots, at almost all ports around the world, are required by local law to be on the bridge and overseeing navigation during arrival and departure.
Pilots are locally licensed and usually have a monopoly on pilotage work at the port they operate in, leading to high prices charged to ship owners for their services. Pilots in the U.S. typically earn between $250,000 and $500,000 a year, making them among the highest paid of any workers in the port.
A pilot is a third party service provider hired by the ship owner or shipping company through the ship’s agent. The pilot’s fee is usually based on the length or depth of a ship. Pilots, many of whom are ex ship captains, have knowledge of all of the navigational hazards, local weather conditions, or current traffic restrictions that prevail at the port. The pilot typically boards an inbound ship at the sea buoy and departs once the ship is clear of all navigation complications.