How Do You Become A Harbor Pilot?
Harbor pilots board large ships, including oil tankers and container ships, as the vessels prepare to enter or leave a United States port. Many port entry channels have confusing mazes of buoys and navigational hazards such as sand bars or obstructions. A harbor pilot safely guides a vessel into its harbor berth, or out of the harbor into open water. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in water transportation occupations (including harbor pilots) is expected to grow 15 percent from 2008-2018. This projected growth will result from more cruise ship traffic through U.S. ports, more international shipping commerce, and traffic related to offshore oil and gas production. Obtain your federal credentials. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that mariners (including pilots) must obtain a Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). This credential includes the license and other certifying information about the individual. Mariners who receive Coast Guard credenti
