Careers in Pilotage
The route to becoming a Liverpool Pilot is a long one that
ultimately leads to a very rewarding career. Our members are
recruited from the ranks of class1 Master Mariners who will already
have served on many different classes of vessel serving all around
the globe.
After a lengthy selection period and interview by a panel of
senior Liverpool pilots the applicant is placed into a list. As
pilotage positions become available then the applicant is called and
training begins. At this point the applicant must relocate to within
an hour of the pilot station.
During a six month period of intensive training the applicant
goes out with senior pilots for "Leadsmans" to all the parts of the
pilotage area at all times of day and night in all weathers.
In addition to this simulator training is carried out both at our
simulator at Woodside and with outside bodies as well as other
courses to help hone the skills required.
As the pilot is a lynchpin in a chain with others the applicant
must also spend time with Liverpool VTS, the tugs in the river as
well as introduce themselves to all the locks and docks in our area.
After all of this then the trainee pilot must sit an exam in
front of a senior pilot, the Harbour master, Chief Hydrographer for
the port and prove their knowledge. On completion of this and after
the approval of the service then the trainee is given a class 4
license and becomes part of a tradition that goes back over 200
years in Liverpool.
The pilot is self employed within the cooperative of Liverpool
pilotage services.
To go on to become a senior pilot takes a further seven years
with 3 further exams, many more leadsmans & courses.
Continuous professional development is taken very seriously in the
service.
If you consider that you have the aptitude to become a Liverpool
pilot are prepared to relocate if required and have or will have in
the future a class 1 certificate and command experience then we
would like to hear from you.
Although the primary overwhelming quality we look for is to be a
good pilot, we also look for other skills that can help to augment
the service. The service undertakes other pilotage related work and
recruits are expected to give up their own time to help in this.
Contact the Pilot Administrator at the address on this site