Washington State 
Board of Pilotage Commissioners
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
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    • Forms/Directories
  • Become a pilot!
    • Next Exam
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    • Process Overview
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  • Safety
    • Boater Safety
    • Pilot Transfer Safety
  • DEI
  • Rules & Regulations
    • Rulemaking
    • Tug Escort Rulemaking
    • Number of Pilots
    • RCW 88.16.180
  • Pilotage Exemptions
  • Meetings
  • Communications
  • More
    • Home
    • About
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • Forms/Directories
    • Become a pilot!
      • Next Exam
      • Requirements
      • Process Overview
      • Piloting in WA State
      • Resources & Events
      • 2026 Exam Application
    • Safety
      • Boater Safety
      • Pilot Transfer Safety
    • DEI
    • Rules & Regulations
      • Rulemaking
      • Tug Escort Rulemaking
      • Number of Pilots
      • RCW 88.16.180
    • Pilotage Exemptions
    • Meetings
    • Communications
Washington State 
Board of Pilotage Commissioners
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Forms/Directories
  • Become a pilot!
    • Next Exam
    • Requirements
    • Process Overview
    • Piloting in WA State
    • Resources & Events
    • 2026 Exam Application
  • Safety
    • Boater Safety
    • Pilot Transfer Safety
  • DEI
  • Rules & Regulations
    • Rulemaking
    • Tug Escort Rulemaking
    • Number of Pilots
    • RCW 88.16.180
  • Pilotage Exemptions
  • Meetings
  • Communications

Pilot Transfer Safety

Our mission of safety on the water includes the safety of pilots and trainees when boarding and disembarking vessels. Pilots have a right to decline to board a vessel when transfer arrangements do not comply with safety requirements documented below.


State licensed pilots in Puget Sound and Grays Harbor lead the industry in gathering data on dangerous transfer arrangements. Reports and data are shared with the Coast Guard, safety surveys, and vessel agents and operators. Pilots also notify a vessel's next port about unsafe conditions. 

Downloads

Pilot Transfer Arrangement Safety Requirements (pdf)Download
IMPA Pilot Poster A2_March_2022_V20 (pdf)Download
BPC Safety Bulletin 22-01 Retrieval Lines (pdf)Download
BPC Letter to Pilots and Trainees Re Unsafe Transfers (pdf)Download

Copyright © 2025 Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners - All Rights Reserved.

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