Operations

The Authority provides licensed pilots to ships that enter Atlantic Canadian Ports to ensure that these ships travel within the pilotage area as safely as possible. The Authority also examines qualified mariners, and monitors pilotage certificate movements where masters navigate their ships within designated compulsory areas without a licensed pilot on board.

The Authority organizes its operations according to geographic location, and has designated nineteen areas as requiring compulsory pilotage. Each of these areas has its own licensed pilots, pilot delivery arrangements, unique customers or industries, and charge structure.

Demand for the services of the Authority is determined by the shipping industry, over which the Authority has little or no control. Customers place pilotage orders through the Authority’s Dispatch Centre and is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The dispatchers liaison with clients, efficiently assign pilots, and arrange for transportation, which may include pilot boat service.

Pilot boats are crewed with highly skilled launchmasters and deckhands who are responsible for the safe transfer of pilots under challenging weather and sea conditions.

The Authority recruits highly skilled Master Mariners with a significant and diversified experience within the shipping industry. Pilots participate in a comprehensive training program, and the Authority firmly supports continuing education by providing refresher training to experienced pilots, and by providing training on new technologies as they are developed.

The Authority evaluates its performance according to the achievement of a safe, efficient, and effective marine pilotage service while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

The Authority operates within the marine transportation sector. No competition exists to provide this service in compulsory pilotage areas.