Order a Pilot
Puget Sound Pilots provide expert marine pilotage services across Washington State, ensuring the safe navigation of commercial vessels entering or departing ports throughout the Puget Sound region, from Port Angeles to Tacoma and beyond.
Need the services of our maritime safety experts?
Here’s what you should know:
Phone
Call Dispatch: Available 24 hours a day for pilotage requests across Puget Sound.
Send an Email: For submitting pilot order details or confirming scheduling information.
VHF Radio
VHF Radio Channel: Use Channel for coordination and pilot boarding communication.
Channel 13
You must complete a Pilot Order Form for each request.
Before making your call, consult the form for all the information dispatch will need from you.
Ordering a Pilot
24-hour Seattle Dispatch: (206) 448-4455
- Routine calls should be made between 0800 and 1700 local time.
- Orders for pilots must be made directly by phone. Lead times vary by port and are listed below.
- Complete the Pilot Order Form.
Lead Times by Port
Port Angeles:
- Order at least 24 hours prior to ETA/ETD between 0800 and 1700.
- Delay greater than 2 hours but less than 6 hours: provide 6 hours notice to avoid charges.
- Delay of 6 hours or more, or cancellation: provide 12 hours notice to avoid charges.
- Early arrivals or departures require 24-hour notice to ensure pilot availability.
Seattle, Point Wells, Edmonds, Eagle Harbor:
- Minimum of 4 hours notice required.
Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Manchester, Bremerton, Bangor, Port Gamble, DuPont, Port Townsend, Mukilteo:
- Minimum of 5 hours notice required.
Anacortes, March Point, Bellingham, Ferndale, Cherry Point:
- Minimum of 6 hours notice required.
Canadian Ports (Vancouver, New Westminster, Greater Vancouver Area):
- Minimum of 10 hours notice required.
All Other Canadian Ports:
- Minimum of 24 hours notice required.
Questions?
For more information about ordering a pilot or operational requirements, please contact:
Dispatch (Seattle, 24-hour): (206) 448-4455
Charges
- Delay charges apply if a vessel arrives more than 1 hour after the scheduled pilot time.
- Standby charges apply if a vessel does not sail within 1 hour of the scheduled boarding time. Pilots kept onboard without duty must be provided clean accommodations comparable to officer standards.
- Slowdown charges apply if a vessel reduces speed for non-pilot reasons resulting in arrival 1 hour or more later than predicted.
Ladder Requirements
- Contact Port Angeles Pilot Station on VHF Channel 13 1 hour prior to arrival for desired lee.
- Ladder to be rigged 1 meter (3 feet) from water, without manropes, supervised by a licensed officer.
- Ladder must be clean, in good condition and used solely for pilot embarkation.
- No tag lines, pull-up ropes or trailing lines may be attached.
- Boarding area must be well lit and clear of obstructions.
- All ladders must comply with SOLAS Regulation 23, Chapter 5, and IMO requirements.
- Accommodation ladders:
- Required if the distance from sea level to access point exceeds 9 meters (30 feet)
- Lower end must rest firmly against ship’s side, clear of discharges
- Should be secured abaft the accommodation ladder’s lower platform and extend at least 2 meters (6 feet) above it