Skip to main content
 
 

Expert always close to you

 

Looking for the
best service

 

For better
risk management

Welcome to French Maritime Pilots’ Federation.

Play Video

We are

330 maritime pilots present in all French ports and DOM-TOM

How to become a pilot?

Merchant Navy officers

Holding a ship master certificate of the highest level and having at least 72 months seagoing services in the merchant navy or on government vessels.

Age limit

Candidates for pilot positions must be at least 24 years old and not more than 35 years old.

Public competition

A public competition is organized by the Competent french pilotage authorities, “Affaires Maritimes”; annoucement shall be notified at least 2 months before

The role of pilots

When a pilot arrives on a ship’s navigation bridge and the words “At the command of the master on the advice of the pilot” appear in the logbook, the legal relationship between the pilot and the master is established.

The pilot is a highly trained and qualified expert in the port and its harbour, and has excellent shiphandling skills.  He advises the captain on the conduct of the vessel within the local harbour limits and is responsible for the safe and smooth flow of traffic as well as for environmental protection.

Pilote Portuaire