The navigational service provided by a licensed pilot who boards a vessel to guide it through a port or restricted waterway.
In practice
Although the pilot conducts the vessel, the master's authority is not diminished. Under the law of most maritime nations and international maritime custom, the master retains full command and the pilot acts as a skilled adviser and navigator. The master must provide the pilot with accurate vessel particulars — UKC calculations, engine response data, anchor readiness — and must be satisfied that the pilot's proposed plan is safe. STCW requires deck officers to maintain situational awareness throughout pilotage and to be prepared to challenge any action that appears unsafe. Pilots operate under national pilotage acts and are usually licensed by port authorities or independent pilotage authorities with continuing competency requirements.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Pilotage is the navigational service provided by a licensed marine pilot who boards a vessel to conduct it through the confined waters of a port, harbour approach, river, canal, or other designated area where local expertise is essential for safe transit. The pilot brings specialised knowledge of local tidal streams, shoals, channel configurations, port traffic procedures, and the manoeuvring characteristics of vessels in that specific environment. SOLAS V/23 addresses the safe transfer of pilots and the provision of pilot transfer equipment.
Although the pilot conducts the vessel, the master's authority is not diminished. Under the law of most maritime nations and international maritime custom, the master retains full command and the pilot acts as a skilled adviser and navigator. The master must provide the pilot with accurate vessel particulars — UKC calculations, engine response data, anchor readiness — and must be satisfied that the pilot's proposed plan is safe. STCW requires deck officers to maintain situational awareness throughout pilotage and to be prepared to challenge any action that appears unsafe. Pilots operate under national pilotage acts and are usually licensed by port authorities or independent pilotage authorities with continuing competency requirements.