Puget Sound Pilot Pi”rat”es

Prior to our departure form Hawaii, we had heard a variety of horror stories about the Pacific Coast Pilots. Some folks advised us to go into “stealth” mode by turning off our AIS. Reviewing the pilotage regs, however,it appeared to us that we were exempt as we are under 30 meters. Prior to our departure from Hawaii, we also contacted CBP to notify them of our departure and we were advised by them that we had to report in to CBP when we entered US waters. So in the end, we figured we were safe and would report in to Port Angeles and clear with CBP prior to heading off to Port Sidney in British Columbia Canada.

The Straights of Juan Defuca are extremely busy and there is a traffic separation scheme in place to keep things organised. Being dutifully observant of the formalities, we contacted Vessel Traffic Services and gave them our particulars and destination. Our dear friends at Vessel Traffic contacted the Pilot’s Association who in turn asked that we call them on our cell. Our dear friends the pilots told us we would require a pilot to enter any port on the US side along the straight. We protested on the basis that we were under 30 meters and they told us that the 30 meter exemption only applied to US and Canadian vessels. Being a BVI registered vessel, we were non exempt and would either require a formal exemption or have a pilot aboard.

We asked about the exemption and we were told that it takes 60 days to get an exemption (plus $500). Left with the only option of getting a pilot, we gulped and asked what that would run. The answer was $1100 in cash – payable to the pilot when he boarded. You can well imagine my reaction to that……

WIth no other options at our disposal, we asked when we could get the pilot aboard and we were told that normally, 48 hour notice is required but they could find somebody to meet us around midnight – some 7 hours later. You can well imagine my additional reaction to that……

The final straw was when they asked if we wanted a tug (even the dispatcher apologised for asking, but he was required to).

About an hour later, we received a call from Tom – our pilot – who said he could come out earlier – around 9:30 PM. So we gradually made our way down to the entrance to Port Angeles where the Pilot Boat (which was bigger the Iron Lady) arrived with Tom. The first thing Tom did was apologise for the requirement to have a Pilot aboard for a 10 minute boat ride to the dock for $1100. We explained we did not have the $1100 in cash aboard and Tom said he would take half now and the rest tomorrow when he would come back for another 10 minute boat ride to the entrance of the port. We didn’t have half but we came close and he graciously accepted that.

The following morning after bunkering and clearing out, Tom came back aboard and we were off leaving the whole sorry affair behind us. The whole thing is little more than organised thievery – and I thought Tonga was bad. You may wish to read the post on that one – in retrospect it was really funny – but not so with our Pacific Pilot Pi”rat”es”.

Frankly, it is a travesty. Had I known, I would have cleared out in Hawaii and headed directly to Canada where customs cleared us with a phone call – no pilot required. Never again -I won’t be going back to the US side, I won’t be needing any $1100 pilots or $500 exemptions. Canada will be very happy to take my dollars and Washington will never see one of my dollars again.

Then there is Alaska – my understanding is that the Pi”rat”es are laying in wait there as well so I will be doing my very best to beat them – and I think I know how already.