The mission of the Pilots is to ensure against the loss of lives, loss of or damage to property and vessels, and to protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent pilotage service on our State’s inland waters within the Puget Sound Pilotage District.
Protecting Puget Sound since 1935
PSP members are highly skilled, specially trained ship captains who board oil tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships to guide them safely through Puget Sound waters. Our pilots are independent professionals who work on behalf of the citizens of Washington State.
Their expertise and commitment to excellence has produced an unparalleled safety record of more than 200,000 sailings over the last 25 years without a major incident.
This article by Pacific Maritime Magazine reporter Kathy Smith entitled “New Ships, Old Challenges,” is a well-researched description of the challenges marine Pilots face.