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Summary  

BC Coast Pilots are experienced mariners responsible for piloting foreign vessels on the 15,000 miles of BC coastline, from the Southern Canadian border to Alaska. BC Coast Pilots ensure vessels are safely navigated through the various passageways along the coast so there is no damage to the ship, its crew, the public, or the marine environment. The BC Coast Pilots maintain the highest level of professionalism and expertise in their duties and this is evidenced by the Company's remarkable 99.98% incident free record.

The British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd. is a private company consisting of 102 licensed marine Pilots who contract their services to the Pacific Pilotage Authority; a crown corporation charged with ensuring that a safe and efficient pilotage system is provided on the B.C. coast. The BC Coast Pilots Ltd. was incorporated in 1973 and celebrated its 30th year in 2003.

Background

British Columbia Coast Pilots Association was created in 1929. Further changes to the size of the piloting district and government regulations promoted the creation of the Corporation of the British Columbia Coast Pilots in 1963 and finally the formation in 1973 of the present day company, The British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd. Approximately 60 of the Pilots are based in the Vancouver area, 40 are based in the Victoria area and 8 Pilots are based in the Nanaimo area.

Under Canadian law, every foreign ship over 350 gross registered tons is required to utilize the services of a marine pilot when they enter the waters of British Columbia. The Pilot is responsible to ensure the vessel is safely navigated through the various passageways along the coast so there is no damage to the ship, its crew, the public, or the marine environment. In British Columbia there are two groups of marine pilots: the BC Coast Pilots and the Fraser River Pilots. The Fraser River Pilots are responsible for the area beginning at the mouth of the Fraser River and inland, while the BC Coast Pilots are responsible for the entire coastline stretching from the southern Canadian border to Alaska.

A Marine Pilot is the experienced and professional licensed mariner whose role is to advise the Captain of a ship on the safest route to be taken to bring a vessel into its port of call. Although a Captain is familiar with his own vessel and crew, he is not necessarily familiar with each port where his vessel must go and requires the local expertise of a Marine Pilot to ensure that his ship, its crew, passengers and cargo arrive at their port of call in a safe and efficient manner. Marine Pilots are intimately familiar with the coastlines, inland waters, shoals, harbors, ports, weather, tides, shipping regulations and restrictions of the area for which they are licensed and use their experience to prevent vessels from grounding on shoals or colliding with other vessels. Marine Pilots are also familiar with the different propulsion systems, hull design, and rudder characteristics of various types of ships and how these will react at different speeds and in different wind, tidal and current conditions.

British Columbia is home to one of the most pristine and ecologically sensitive marine habitats in North America. Over 15,000 miles of coastline shelter waters that are teaming with marine life. The same coastline is also a vibrant commercial waterway for large ships traveling to and from major world ports. Ensuring commercial interests co-exist with the preservation of the marine habitat and safety is very much the role of the licensed Marine Pilot.

Q&A

A BC Coast Pilot is an experienced mariner responsible for piloting foreign vessels on the 15,000 miles of BC coastline, from the Southern Canadian border to Alaska.

 What do BC Coast Pilots do?

BC Coast Pilots play a decisive role in protecting 15,000 miles of Canada's west coast, from the Southern Canadian border to Alaska

BC Coast Pilots ensure vessels are safely navigated through the various passageways along the coast so there is no damage to the ship, its crew, the public, or the marine environment.

Why do we need pilots?

BC Coast Pilots are trained and experienced to safely navigate foreign vessels on some of the most challenging coastline in the world.

Under Canadian law, every foreign ship over 350 gross registered tons is required to utilize the services of a marine pilot when they enter the waters of British Columbia.

How much experience do you need to become a BC Coast Pilot?

Every pilot is licensed and on average, has 25 years experience coupled with a minimum of 5 years as a Captain, extensive training, apprenticeship and rigorous examinations.