Pilotage Commission

Purpose & Background

Pilotage in Georgia is a local governmental effort to safeguard maritime commerce as it enters, navigates within, and departs a Georgia port.  This has evolved into a state function that is influenced by port maritime interests.  Local/Regional port pilotage commissions regulate this pilotage.  The safety objectives of state pilotage are primarily achieved by licensing a certain number of highly qualified, local navigational experts and ship handlers to board and direct the movements of all vessels of such size and importance that any inexpert maneuvering of such vessels would constitute a safety risk to themselves, the port, other vessels, and the marine environment. 

All U.S. flag vessels registered for foreign trade and all foreign flag vessels are subject to the pilotage laws and regulations of the State of Georgia.  Thus, they are required to take on board a pilot who is licensed by the Commissioners on behalf of the State of Georgia.  The pilots licensed by the Commissioners are public servants.  However, rather than being government employees, State pilots are private, independent individuals whose compensation comes from payments made directly by the ships presenting the risks to the individuals licensed to assure their safe movement.

The amounts of the compensation are regulated by the Commissioners based upon the sizes and deepest drafts of the vessels being piloted.  The rates must be fair and reasonable, and should be in keeping with the pay of vessel masters and pilots in other ports to assure that the State pilot profession attracts the best qualified individuals.

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