Washington State 
Board of Pilotage Commissioners
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
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  • 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

Pilotage Exemptions

Cruising in Washington State?

If your recreational vessel is registered outside the U.S. or Canada, you are subject to mandatory pilotage not matter the size of your vessel.


If your vessel is less than 1,300 GT(I) and 200 FT length overall, you may be eligible for a pilotage exemption from the Board of Pilotage Commissioners.

Order a pilot

Roster of Current Exemptions

BPC Vessel Exemptions 09.15.25 (pdf)

Download

Apply for a Pilotage Exemption

2025-03-01 BPC VESSEL EXEMPTION FORM (pdf)

Download

Foreign Yacht Familarization Updated 2025 (pdf)

Download

BPC Exemption Guidelines 2025 (pdf)

Download

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

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

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