How to order a Pilot

The services of a PLA Pilot can be requested by the master of any vessel irrespecive of whether pilotage is compulsory for the vessel concerned. Full details of compulsory pilotage regulations, together with full details of how to order a pilot and a list of contact addresses, can be found in the PLA's Pilotage Directions.

How to order a Pilot

Online

Boarding at sea from a
Pilot Launch

NEW! Web based notification (PISCES). To sign up for a user account, please contact Paul Relf, 01474 562325 or email paul.relf@pla.co.uk

PISCES is a web based application which interfaces with the PLA's operational database (POLARIS). Ship Operators and their agents can use this to submit notification of a ship's expected movements, or order a pilot, and this will be submitted directly to Port Control, who will then respond by updating POLARIS, or supplying feedback as to anything else that is required. The updated information will be visible to the sender both as an update to their web page, and as an email.

The address for the login page is http://www.pla.co.uk/vesselnotif . To establish an account, we will require a generic company email address (to which all return emails will be copied), and separate email addresses and passwords for each intended user in the company.

Using a local agent

Many ships use the services of a local agent to order a Pilot. These local companies have a good knowledge of the requirements and a list of local agents can be found here.

Direct to the Port of London Authority

The pilotage service will take your order direct at any time. The office is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

You can contact us using any of the following methods:-

By telephone	+44 (0)1474 560311
By fax	+44 (0)1474 352996
By VHF radio	Channel 9, call North-east Spit pilots if approaching from the south, inward bound.
	Channel 9, call Sunk pilots if approaching from the north, inward bound.
	Channel 9, call Gravesend pilots if outward bound.

The PLA's Pilotage Co-ordinator will discuss the options as to which Pilot Station to use, agree a boarding time and will be able to liaise with a senior PLA Pilot should there be a problem with draught and available depth.

For full details of the procedure for ordering a Pilot, and the requisite notice, please refer to current Pilotage Directions.

Download the Notification (and pilot order) Form in either MS Word or pdf formats:

Pilot safety

Required boarding arrangements for a Pilot

Download the full size card detailing statutory requirements for pilot ladders.

Also see The Embarkation and Disembarkation of Pilots on the Thames Code of Practice.

Boarding of addtional persons by pilot boat is by prior arrangement with, and at the discretion of the PLA or its provider, Estuary Services Ltd, and will be subject to the completion of a safety briefing beforehand. Operators contemplating this are referred to Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 432.

Charges

A list of pilotage charges is published on this site. Invoices are normally issued after completion of the pilotage act.

Further information

For more information please see the following: