As part of our commitment to protect the safety of mariners and the environment, Puget Sound Pilot work proactively to identify and implement measures that will enhance public safety and environmental safeguards.

In the wake of the Cosco Busan incident in San Francisco in which a ship struck the Bay Bridge, Puget Sound Pilots conducted a comprehensive audit of pilotage practices in Puget Sound.  The results of that audit prompted new safety initiatives throughout the Puget Sound marine industry.

Throughout the year, members of the Puget Sound Pilots contribute their time and expertise to a variety of public marine-related councils and committees, including the Oil Spill Advisory Council, the Department of Ecology Oil Spill Advisory Committee, the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee and the North Puget Sound Risk Management Panel. Over the years, pilots have served on countless ad hoc committees and commissions formed to analyze and improve marine safety in Puget Sound.

In addition, PSP member provide their expertise when ports and shipping companies develop or expand Puget Sound's marine facilities. For example, pilots recently participated in ten days of simulator trials on the East Coast to analyze the feasibility of expansion plans for terminals in Tacoma. They tested the proposed design in all possible tide, weather, and traffic conditions to determine the types and sizes of ships the facilities could handle and how jobs could be conducted safely.

In the 1970s, PSP members helped develop the state's landmark tug escort rules for oil tankers calling in Puget Sound. After the Exxon Valdez disaster, Puget Sound Pilots worked with tug, tanker, and naval architects in the development of strict tug escort usage procedures to protect our waters. And in 2004, pilots assisted in the Washington State Department of Ecology's latest study of tug escort requirements. Currently, our pilots are working with the BC Coast Pilots in British Columbia to help devise tug escort procedures for tankers in Canadian waters, and Puget Sound Pilots are participating with U.S. tug operators and tanker companies in an ongoing series of open water drills to test high-tech tug boats in emergency scenarios under real life conditions.

In addition, Puget Sound Pilots and its members provide information to state officials and members of Congress on issues related to the safe movement of oil tankers through our waters.