PILOTAGE

A - GENERAL

All vessels entering or leaving Canal Waters, must take a pilot (Pilotage is compulsory). However, the Suez Canal Authority reserves the right to assign a tug master on board vessels under 1500 tons Gross, and under 800 tons Gross a coxswain, instead of pilot.

Navy ships and vessels carrying dangerous cargo must have a pilot regardless of their tonnage.

Roads pilots on board vessels arriving from sea shall hand over to the Master, the Declaration of state of Navigability and the Pilotage Form.

Masters are held solely responsible for all damage or accidents of whatever kind resulting from the navigation or handling of their vessels directly or indirectly by day or night.

The pilot must inform the Movement Control Office or the Port Office immediately by W/T, R. TELEX, Inmarsat and/or V.H.F. or U.H.F. if his advice regarding the safety of navigation is not accepted or not respected by the vessel.

B - PORT SAID

(1) Southbound vessels:

(a) Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's, 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships, Lighter Aboard Ship vessels over 35000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage, Liquefied Petroleum Gas & Liquefied Natural Gas and vessels over 42 feet draught are piloted from Northern Anchorage Area for Canal transit through the East Approach Channel.

(b) Other vessels, either for local trade or intending to transit the Canal, are piloted from Fairway Buoy to berths in the harbour through the West Channel.

(c) Vessels are piloted between Port Said Harbour and Port of Suez by Canal pilots who are relieved at Ismailia.

(2) Northbound vessels:

(a) Through east branch, vessels are piloted till Km. 3.000. However, on Master's request, Pilotage may extend till Hm. 80.

(b) Through west branch vessels are piloted till Hm. 80 if weather permits. However, on Master's request, Pilotage may end at Hm. 22 on Master's responsibility.

C - PORT OF SUEZ

(1) Northbound vessels:

(a) Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's, Large Bulk Carriers, 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships, Lighter Aboard Ship over 35.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage, Liquefied Petroleum Gas & Liquefied Natural Gas (Loaded or Non Gas Free) and vessels over 38 feet draught are piloted from anchorage area south of Conry Rock for Canal transit.

(b) Other vessels are piloted from waiting area till anchorage area in the Port of Suez.

(c) Vessels are piloted from Port of Suez and Port Said Harbour by Canal Pilots who are relieved at Ismailia.

(2) Southbound vessels:

(a) Southbound convoy and vessels at Port of Suez Anchorage sailing south are piloted till Hm 80.50. However, on Master's request, piloting may end at Hm. 44.4 (New Port Rock).

(b) Vessels have to maintain course through the channel till the last pair of buoys keeping the Separation Zone on the Port Side.

D - MASTER AND PILOT

(1) Master:

When a vessel is transiting the Canal, the Master or his qualified representative should be present at all times on the bridge, he has to keep the pilot informed of any individual peculiarities in the handling of the vessels so that the pilot might be in a position to give better navigation and movement of the vessel.

(2) Pilot:

The duties of pilots commence and cease at the entrance buoys of Port Said and Port of Suez. He only gives advice on maneuvering the vessel, course to steer, etc. He puts at the disposal of the Master his experience and practical knowledge of the Canal, but as he cannot know the defects or difficulties of maneuverability for of every vessel, the responsibility falls completely upon the Master. The pilot has to ensure that the vessel abides by:

(a) The articles of Rules of Navigation.
(b) The orders of transit given by movement control.

The Maneuver and orders are carried out under the direction of the Master who is solely responsible for the ship. It is therefore for the Master, taking into account the indications given by the pilot, to give the necessary orders to the helm, to the engines and tugs. If, in the interest of quick maneuvers the Master thinks it preferable to allow the pilot to give orders directly, maneuvers carried out in these circumstances shall be considered as having been carried out by the order of the Master and engage his sole responsibility.

E  - MOVING IN SUEZ CANAL WATERS WITHOUT PILOT ASSISTANCE

(1) Unless explicitly Authorized by the Suez Canal Authority, the following must be considered:

(a) Whenever a vessel moves in Canal Waters or Port Said Harbour without having a pilot on board, she shall be charged an additional due of (21500 U.S.Dollars).

(b) An additional due of (3200 U.S.Dollars) shall be charged to vessels moving in Port of Suez Anchorage, or entering or leaving at Port of Suez without having a pilot on board.

(c) These dispositions do not apply in the event if the pilot being suddenly unable to carry on with his duties due to sickness or death. In this case the master must:

I - Warn the vessels astern of his intended maneuver by means of the visual and sound signals as well as U.H.F. or V.H.F., or W/T. or R. TELEX and or Inmarsat Via SUQ.

ii - Reduce speed and contact Movement Office to have advice for making fast if in the Canal. or the entrance channels; or dropping anchor if at the Lakes.

iii - The Movement Office in Ismailia is to be informed at all times by U.H.F, or V.H.F., and confirmed by W/T, or R. TELEX and or Inmarsat via SUQ.

(2) Exceptions:

In case of bad weather to the extent of not allowing Pilotage in Canal approach channels, Master will be authorized by notice from the Suez Canal Port Office, to sail with their vessels on their own responsibility at the following positions:

(a) For southbound convoy, from Km. 162 to sea.
(b) For northbound convoy, from Km. 3.000 east of Port Said channel northward to sea.
(c) For vessels leaving Port Said Harbour through west approach channel, from Hm. 22 northward.
(d) For vessels anchoring in Port of Suez anchorage wishing to head to sea, also, for vessels in waiting area wishing to enter Port of Suez Anchorage Area.
(e) For vessels entering Port Said Harbour either for transiting the Canal or for trade, through west approach channel till Hm. 50 approx., where Toads pilot will board vessels.
(f) For vessels entering Port Said east approach channel, between Hm. 165 and Hm. 135 for Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's anchorage area to join southbound convoy, Canal pilots will board vessels at Km. 0 of east Port Said channel.
(g) For Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's and other large vessels joining northbound convoy from New anchorage area south of Conry Rock, Canal pilots will board vessels at Km. 161 approx.
(h) For other vessels joining northbound convoy from Port of Suez anchorage, Canal pilots will board vessels at Km. 161 approx.

N.B.: For Items c,d,f,g, and h the time of proceeding will be fixed by Suez Canal Port Authority

I - An extra pilot for assisting the pilots in charge may be assigned or Master's request or by the Canal Authority if deemed necessary.
ii - A due of (300 U.S.Dollars) for every additional Canal Pilot and (150 U.S.Dollars) for every additional Roads pilot is charged.
iii - In all cases, advice will be given if necessary by shore radar to vessel's master.

F - CALLING PILOT UNNECESSARILY

When a vessel signals for pilot, and if is found when boarding that she is not ready to get underway at the limit time, the vessel is liable to be delayed and pilot disembarked. The vessel will pay extra Pilotage dues for the new pilot as mentioned hereafter.

G - EXTRA PILOTS

1) Extra pilots shall be assigned in the following cases:

(a) Vessels over 80000 tons Suez Canal Gross Tonnage

(b) Fourth generation containerships, third generation containerships (over 40000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage) and Lashes of 35000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage and over.

(c) Vessels having cargoes or installations impeding visibility from inside the wheelhouse (Bad View).

(d) If a pilot is disembarked and relieved by another pilot in case of slow speed vessels, vessels having trouble which prevents to continue transit with the same convoy, or vessels that have to transit by day light only.

(e) If a vessel has no accommodation for the pilot to rest while anchoring in Bitter Lakes or making fast in mooring places for a long period.

(f) On Master's request or by Suez Canal Authority if deemed necessary.