The Board of Pilotage Commissioners was created by the 1935 Legislature and includes members who are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate and serve staggered four-year terms. The members include a designee of the Director of Washington State Ferries, who is the chairperson, (2) public members, (1) American shipping representative, (1) foreign shipping representative, (2) licensed Pilots, (1) environmental member, and (1) Department of Ecology member.
The mission of the Board 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.
The Board develops and proposes statutory language for legislative adoption to ensure safe and compulsory pilotage, adopts rules to administer State pilotage laws, and enforces pilot and public adherence to the Pilotage Act, which may include discipline and/or prosecution of violators. The Board also administers testing, training and licensing of marine pilots, and establishes standards for reporting and investigating incidents involving state-piloted vessels.
Meet the Board
Dr. Sheri Tonn, Chair
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
Bio coming soon
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
BPCCommissionerKirtley@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Captain Mike Anthony, Pilot Representative
Dr. Eleanor Kirtley, Vice Chair, Marine Environment Representative
Captain Mike Anthony, Pilot Representative
BPCCommissionerAnthony@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Timothy J. Farrell, Public Representative
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
Captain Mike Anthony, Pilot Representative
BPCCommissionerFarrell@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
Bio coming soon
Captain Severin Knutsen, Pilot Representative
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
Tom Buroker, Department of Ecology Representative
BPCCommissionerKnutsen@gmail.com
Severin Knutsen is a licensed Puget Sound pilot and a member of the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners. Originally from Port Townsend, Washington, he brings extensive experience navigating commercial vessels throughout Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, with a focus on safety and environmental
BPCCommissionerKnutsen@gmail.com
Severin Knutsen is a licensed Puget Sound pilot and a member of the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners. Originally from Port Townsend, Washington, he brings extensive experience navigating commercial vessels throughout Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, with a focus on safety and environmental stewardship.
Prior to becoming a pilot, Captain Knutsen served as captain of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico supporting resource exploration and later worked as a risk advisor for Holland America Line, building a strong foundation in maritime safety.
He currently serves as Chair of the Trainee Evaluation Committee (TEC) and contributes to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), supporting pilot training, evaluation, and professional development.
He is committed to maintaining a safe and resilient pilotage system that supports maritime commerce, the protection of Washington’s waterways, and the safety of Washington’s citizens.
Captain Jason Hamilton, Public Representative
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
BPCCommissionerHamilton@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
BPCCommissionerDrennen@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Lee Tyler, Foreign Flag Shipping Representative
Captain Andrew Drennen, US Flag Shipping Representative
Lee Tyler, Foreign Flag Shipping Representative
BPCCommissionerTyler@gmail.com
Bio coming soon
Meet BPC Staff
Jaimie C. Bever, Executive Director
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Jaimie has been with the BPC since 2015. As Executive Director, Jaimie is responsible for the daily operations of the agency, helps develop and implement policy and legislation, and acts as the BPC's legislative liaison. She is also the Chair of the BPC's Oil Transportation Safety Committee.
Prior to this work, he
Jaimie has been with the BPC since 2015. As Executive Director, Jaimie is responsible for the daily operations of the agency, helps develop and implement policy and legislation, and acts as the BPC's legislative liaison. She is also the Chair of the BPC's Oil Transportation Safety Committee.
Prior to this work, her focus was on right-of-way acquisitions for track expansion and mudslide mitigation projects representing BNSF Railway Company.
She has extensive experience with cross-team
collaboration, including federal, state, and private industry, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Social Sciences from the University of Washington. When she's not working to support and improve the safe and efficient transportation of goods on land and water, you can find Jaimie playing the harp or guitar, working in the garden, or hiking with her family.
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Jolene Hamel is the Training Program Manager for the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners. She has been with the Board for 8 years and has mentored and shepherded 31 pilot trainees from candidacy through licensure during her tenure thus far.
With a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington
Jolene Hamel is the Training Program Manager for the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners. She has been with the Board for 8 years and has mentored and shepherded 31 pilot trainees from candidacy through licensure during her tenure thus far.
With a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington University (go Eagles!), she has worn many hats throughout her career.
In her spare time, she loves being on the water and listening to live music.
Bettina Maki, Program Analyst
Jolene Hamel, Training Program Manager
Bettina Maki, Program Analyst
Bio coming soon