What We Do

Protecting the safety of passengers, mariners, cargo and the environment in Puget Sound waters is a primary focus of the Puget Sound Pilots.

Pilots are the first American presence onboard tankers and foreign vessels entering Puget Sound waters.

Working with the captain on the ship’s navigating bridge, the pilot directs vessels into and out of harbors, straits, rivers and bays, utilizing specialized knowledge of local weather, tides and currents as well as the handling characteristics of the wide variety of ships that call here. These duties are carried out in all weather conditions, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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.

Additionally, watch this video to get a glimpse into the day in the life of a Puget Sound Pilot.