Puget Sound Pilots

Puget Sound Pilots Puget Sound Pilots is an organization of marine pilots dedicated to the protection of Puget Sound's

More than 7,500 times a year, members of the Puget Sound Pilots board oil tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships to guide them safely through difficult passages, tricky currents, and congested shipping lanes. The Pilots dock these vessels in Puget Sound ports and return them to the open sea. Our pilots are independent professionals who work on behalf of the citizens of Washington State. Their exp

ertise and commitment to excellence has produced an unparalleled safety record of more than 165,000 sailings over the last twenty years without a major incident. To read our page disclaimer, visit https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=200202470072047.

Proud to be a continuing sponsor of Conference. Puget Sound Pilots, Captains Pat Ninburg and Trevor Bozina along with ...
10/11/2025

Proud to be a continuing sponsor of Conference. Puget Sound Pilots, Captains Pat Ninburg and Trevor Bozina along with training program coordinator Jolene Hamel were thrilled to represent Washington state pilotage, hear the stories and advice from đź’Ş professional women, participate in panel discussions, lift up and encourage a new generation of mariners from all US Maritime Academies, and share the pathway to becoming a with current mariners. We thank for your consistent work to better the maritime community we all have had the privilege to be part of.

A different perspective… The RoRo Amethyst Ace inbound in Commencement Bay for Blair Terminal. Runoff from the Puyallup ...
08/22/2025

A different perspective… The RoRo Amethyst Ace inbound in Commencement Bay for Blair Terminal. Runoff from the Puyallup River, which can affect ships entering the waterway, is visible. The middle of Commencement Bay is nearly 500 feet deep. However the Blair, Sitcum, and Hylebos waterways are significantly shallower, ranging from 25 to 51 feet deep. Due to the deep draft of some ships, arrivals are carefully timed to ensure sufficient clearance from the bottom. Sometimes only within a few feet.

The RORO Brilliant Ace enters the Blair Waterway with cars and other roll on roll of cargo for . Thanks to the pilot abo...
05/17/2025

The RORO Brilliant Ace enters the Blair Waterway with cars and other roll on roll of cargo for . Thanks to the pilot aboard the Northstar for the shot, after docking at Tote Terminal to load cargo for Alaska. These two RORO’s followed each other down the sound today from Port Angeles.

The Pilot supervises and mentors the Pilot Trainee who is working with the Captain, maneuvering through the Hylebos Wat...
12/18/2024

The Pilot supervises and mentors the Pilot Trainee who is working with the Captain, maneuvering through the Hylebos Waterway. Ahead the Hylebos Bridge opening is 150’ wide, the ships beam is 98’.

thinks pilot boats are pretty awesome and so do we! See any similarities with ours? Lego is considering turning this in...
12/07/2024

thinks pilot boats are pretty awesome and so do we! See any similarities with ours? Lego is considering turning this into a product you can buy and build, after a model was created by a Danish Pilot.

After all, Legos have to go aboard a ship to be delivered to our stores and homes. Each of those ships will take a pilot, likely boarding by pilot boat.

https://ideas.lego.com/s/p:1de118e0b9bc41779b58efd33bf4e2f5 ………………………….…………………………………
From the creator of this model…

“A tribute build to a work life at sea
This is a tribute build to a work life at sea. It is adventure. It is history. And it is modern story of a work life for many people around the world.

What is a pilot boat?
All around the world pilots and pilot boats works day and night. They work to help navigate ships through difficult and challenging waters. To make both the sailors, the oceans and all people around more safe.

This model is inspired by a danish pilot boat. But it could as well be a pilot boat from any other country. In Denmark the first official pilot boats were sailing under a resolution of March 8th in the year of 1684 – by the King Christian the 5th.

The pilot boat has one single purpose: to bring the pilot safe to and from the ship in need of a pilot.

The pilot boat will board the ship along side while both are in motion at around 10 knots (18 km/h). Then the pilot grab the ladder and crawl up the side of the ship, up to 20 meter up in al kinds of weather and sizes of waves.

This LEGO Pilot boat is a display model. A good set for us who loves the marine world and want to have something to display to honor and remember the hardworking women and men at sea.”

Captain Hannuksela training students of how to properly rig a pilot ladder. ...
12/06/2024

Captain Hannuksela training students of how to properly rig a pilot ladder.

Are you or is someone you know interested in a career in maritime? https://maritime.seattlecentral.edu/

Puget Sound Pilots were represented by Captain Nick Moore at the 2024 Conference, pictured with fellow alumni. It was ...
10/18/2024

Puget Sound Pilots were represented by Captain Nick Moore at the 2024 Conference, pictured with fellow alumni. It was a pleasure to share lunch sponsorship with Washington’s Transportation Institute. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Women Offshore! Follow along to be on the lookout for future pilotage opportunities.

Tanker Alaskan Legend (940’x164’,) outbound Rosario Strait.
09/16/2024

Tanker Alaskan Legend (940’x164’,) outbound Rosario Strait.

A pilots view from the bridge of this 800’ tanker. Petroleum is a big part of Washington’s maritime economy. The North S...
08/20/2024

A pilots view from the bridge of this 800’ tanker. Petroleum is a big part of Washington’s maritime economy. The North Sound ports of Cherry Pt., Ferndale, and Anacortes host a variety of petroleum terminals as well anchorages along the way.

The Seattle skyline offers a breathtaking backdrop as a 1000-foot ship is expertly guided into the East Waterway by Puge...
07/31/2024

The Seattle skyline offers a breathtaking backdrop as a 1000-foot ship is expertly guided into the East Waterway by Puget Sound Pilots, a vital component of Washington’s maritime industry.

Incredible day at the pilot station with 🌊⚓Pilot boat driving, a pilot boarding, career talks and knot tying lessons 🪢....
07/19/2024

Incredible day at the pilot station with 🌊⚓

Pilot boat driving, a pilot boarding, career talks and knot tying lessons 🪢. Thanks to our pilots and pilot boat crew for sharing stories and career insights. 🙌 Shoutout to organizations like Sea Potential that pave the way for the next generation of mariners.

Curious what an unsafe pilot ladder looks like and how one ship repurposed theirs? This ladder was taken out of service ...
06/15/2024

Curious what an unsafe pilot ladder looks like and how one ship repurposed theirs? This ladder was taken out of service due to its crooked and sagging rungs and missing fasteners.

The most dangerous part of a pilots job is boarding by ladder while underway.

If a ladder is deemed unsafe, non compliant, or counterfeit…

1. The pilot reports it to the Captain.
2. A ladder safety report is completed.
3. Authorities are notified.
4. The ladder is taken out of service and replaced or if possible re-rigged properly.
5. Optional… the crew makes a table and benches out of the old ladder as shown in pics 3 and 4! 👍

Address

2003 Western Avenue, Suite 200
Seattle, WA
98121

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12067286400

Website

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