Harbor Pilotage
HARBOR PILOTAGE RATES
SCHEDULE OF PORTLAND PILOT RATES (Approved by the Board of Harbor Commissioners August 22, 2024)
For the current schedule of rates, effective August 29, 2024, click here: Portland Pilots Schedule of Rates August 2024
Please note that a Portland Pilots request to lower the fuel surcharge was approved by the Board of Harbor Commissioners effective July 12, 2024. Fuel surcharges are changed when the price of fuel varies more than 5% from the previous year. The new fuel surcharge is reflected in the Schedule of Rates above.
HARBOR OVERVIEW
Portland Harbor, at the western end of Casco Bay, is the most important port on the coast of Maine. The ice-free harbor offers secure anchorage to deep draft vessels in all weather. There is considerable domestic and foreign commerce in petroleum products, paper, wood pulp, scrap metal, coal, salt and containerized goods. It is also the Atlantic terminus pipeline for shipments of crude oil to Montreal and Ontario.
A rail system connects the Port to a national network that also reaches into Canada, one of the reasons shippers bypass the crowded and more costly port cities of southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
PILOTAGE
Pilots board 1.0 nautical mile north of the ELN Racon “PAPA” buoy at position 43-31.6 North and 70-05.5 West. Portland Pilots monitor VHF 16 and 11 and can be reached at Tel: (207) 774-5623, FAX: (207) 774-5683. Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels under registry drawing over nine feet. All non-commercial foreign flagged vessels (yacht/recreational) and non-commercial US flagged vessels (yacht/recreational) under 350 gross tons are not required to take a state-licensed pilot. Pilotage is optional for vessels under enrollment, fishing vessels, and vessels powered by sail. The Pilot boats are black-hulled with a white superstructure with the word PILOT on both sides. One is 48 feet LOA and the other is 65 feet LOA. Vessels are requested to provide 48 and 24 hours notice of ETA and to update any appreciable changes. The pilots do not maintain the boat on station. Distance from the pilot station to the inner harbor is approximately 10 miles.
PILOT TARIFF
Length over all (feet) x Beam (feet) x Moulded Depth (feet)/ 10,000 x $14.59. Minimum charge is 150 Pilot Units inbound and outbound in addition to Fuel Surcharge and Capital Construction Fee.
ANCHORAGES
Deep laden vessels (over 28′ draft) normally anchor in the “B” or Diamond Island Roads anchorage. Light vessels, barges, and recreational boats may anchor in the “A” anchorage off Fish Point. Both anchorages lie in the inner harbor and are well-protected.
Vessels effecting repairs, seeking refuge, or conducting other business may also proceed under pilot to the Hussey Sound Upper Casco Bay anchorage area. Deep draft (45′) crude carriers awaiting tide for berthing may elect to anchor offshore approximately 1.0 nautical miles north of the ELN Racon buoy “P.”
TOWAGE
Towage is provided by the following companies:
Portland Tugboat LLC
Tel: (207) 774-2902Fax: (207) 338-4750
Email: Portland@mcallistertowing.com
Towage is not mandatory, however, if requested, a docking master will be required to direct the vessel’s movements in berthing and un-berthing operations. Tugs normally meet vessels at the “PH” harbor entrance buoy if continuing on for berthing.
DOCKING INFORMATION
All vessels operating in Portland Harbor must have a Pilot on board. Under recently instituted rules of the Portland Harbor Commissioners, Docking Master rates and procedures are regulated. All vessels requiring tug services in berthing are required to have a Docking Master onboard.
The following firms provide this service:
Portland Docking Pilots, Inc.
Tel: (207) 774-2902
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR PORTLAND DOCKING PILOTS (approved by the Board of Harbor Commissioners August 11, 2022)
To Open the schedule of rates, click here: 2022 Schedule of Rates – Portland Docking Pilots