What Is Maritime Pilotage?
The safety of navigation inside territorial waters is a must for any country wanting to protect its environment, its economy, and above all, its population.
That is why Canada and most other countries entrust the navigation of commercial ships inside their territorial waters to maritime pilots specially trained to guide ships of any nationality along their waterways.
How Is Maritime Pilotage Carried Out?
Any ship subject to compulsory pilotage in accordance with the Canadian Pilotage Act and that navigates up the St. Lawrence River must head for Les Escoumins, the embarkation point for pilots of District No. 2 of the Laurentian region. A pilot from the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots will board the ship to take charge of navigation manoeuvres until the Port of Quebec or to a port on the Saguenay River.
Pilot changes are always a tricky operation, sometimes even dangerous when poor weather conditions come into play. The pilot must get on board using a ladder and climb the hull of the ship. The ascent can sometimes reach up to 10 metres (30 feet).
Once on board, the pilot makes contact with the captain and the ship’s officers and verifies:
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the quality of navigation equipment; |
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the ship’s capacity; |
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its specifics; |
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its cargo; |
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etc. |
If the pilot sees that the ship does not meet legal specifications, it is their duty to advise the authorities.
Before even getting underway, the pilot has already completed a part of their mission: guarding the safety of the river.
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How Is Maritime Pilotage Administered?
Pilotage is administered by Transport Canada. The country is divided into 4 large administrative areas and each of these also divided into pilotage districts :
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Atlantic |
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Laurentian |
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Great Lakes |
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Pacific |
In Quebec, the Laurentian Pilotage Authority is responsible for pilotage on the St. Lawrence River. Two corporations ensure pilotage service in the region, one of those being the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots which holds an exclusive contract for pilotage services within District No. 2.
Regulations governing pilotage in Canada is contained in the Pilotage Act and its various related acts.
How to Become a Pilot?
Taking into account the important responsibilities designated to a maritime pilot, obtaining a license is the conclusion of many years of experience, training and exams.
Pilot-Apprentice Training Program :
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Two years in length; |
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Completion of more than 100 voyages annually, accompanied by a licensed pilot, as stipulated by the Laurentian Pilotage Authority Regulations and by the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots; |
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Completion of training programs established by the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots; |
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Completion of a simulation training course (either electronic or reduced scale); |
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Successful completion of oral and written legal exams. |
A pilot can only be assigned to a ship of any type only after having held a license for eight years or more. |
