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Pilot service

The Norwegian Coastal Administration is responsible for the state pilot service. The service safeguards traffic at sea and protects the environment by ensuring that vessels operating in Norwegian waters have navigators with adequate qualifications on board.

  • Pilot services

    The NCA is responsible for the state pilot service. The pilot service aims to safeguard traffic at sea and protect the environment by ensuring that vessels operating in Norwegian waters have navigators with adequate qualifications for safe navigation.
  • How to book a pilot

    Pilot bookings are made electronically in the SafeSeaNet Norway ship reporting service.
  • Compulsory pilotage

    The Compulsory Pilotage Regulations stipulate which vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage and the waters where the requirement applies. The compulsory pilotage requirement can be met by either employing a pilot or by use of a Pilot Exemption Certificate.
  • Pilot dispatch

    The pilot dispatcher is the shipping trade's point of contact for sailing to and from Norwegian ports and in transit along the coast.
  • Pilot transport

    The main task of the pilot vessel service is to bring the pilot to and from assignments, and the service is available 24 hours a day, all year round.

Pilot service facts

  • Pilots board the vessels at the designated embarkation marks along the coast by means of a pilot boat or helicopter.
  • On board the vessels the pilot acts as an advisor and provides the crew with the necessary knowledge of the fairways to and from Norwegian ports.
  • The pilotage service is available 24 hours a day, all year round.
  • The pilotage service is financed by the fees paid by the shipping trade that utilises the service.
  • The pilotage service also includes the dispatch of pilots, transport services and the pilot exemption certificate scheme.
  • Every year the pilotage service performs around 40,000 assignments nationwide.
  • Pilot operations are carried out by the regional sea traffic offices under the management of pilot masters.
  • Nationwide the Norwegian Coastal Administration has just under 300 active pilots, stationed at 25 pilot stations.
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