Important information concerning pilotage

When ordering a pilot, any deficiencies must always be stated, along with an assurance that the vessel´s bridge team will comply with STCW-regulations throughout the entire pilotage.

Once the pilot has boarded, the master or officer of the watch shall provide the pilot with vessel specific information using the Pilot Card and inform the pilot of any defects or deficiencies on the vessel that have arisen since the time of the order.

The pilot reviews the pilotage passage plan with the master, the officer of the watch, and – where necessary – other crew members.

The pilot and the master agree on which of them will navigate the vessel through the fairway and handle the vessel during maneuvering to and from berth. The one not navigating the vessel must supervise the other and has both the right and the obligation to challenge the other´s actions. A separate lookout must be stationed on the bridge when required by STCW regulations. Any helmsman cannot simultaneously act as a lookout. The division of responsibility must be clearly stated during the briefing prior to the commencement of pilotage.

The master is always—even during pilotage—ultimately responsible for the vessel and its navigation. The master cannot delegate any part of the master´s responsibility to a pilot; it may only be delegated to a qualified member of the crew.

Section 7 of the Ordinance (1982:569) on Pilotage etc. stipulates that the pilot is responsible for the pilotage. The pilot´s duties include, when this serves the best interests of maritime safety, having an active role that may involve maneuvering the vessel. This takes place with the master´s approval, and the master retains full responsibility for the vessel during the pilotage.

The master’s responsibilities include, among other things, ensuring that the vessel is seaworthy; that the bridge team and the rest of the vessel are adequately manned in accordance with applicable regulations and sufficiently equipped; and that the vessel is loaded or ballasted in a manner that does not compromise the safety of the vessel, lives, or cargo.

Maritime traffic within Sweden’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone is subject to the international rules for preventing collisions at sea (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, COLREG), as well as any prescribed additions to or exceptions from these rules. The master is responsible for ensuring compliance with these rules.

The pilot and the ship´s master shall agree on the language to be used for all communication regarding the pilotage; this also applies to communication with external parties, such as tugboats etc.

If a pilot determines – after receiving information about the vessel and its equipment and making their own assessment – that the pilotage cannot be carried out safely, the pilot must inform the master the renouncement of the pilotage and advise on appropriate measures. In the event of serious defects, the pilot must report the matter to the Swedish Transport Agency. A pilot also owns the right to renounce the pilotage assignment if the master fails to follow the pilot´s instruction and advice.