Status of Pilots: Estonia 2005

Legislation
Estonian Pilots are government owned business enterprise. All tariffs and fees appointed by ministry of Transport and Communication.

Number of Pilots
We have 56 pilots and 2 apprentice pilot. Average age of pilots decreasing because more and more young seaman's are interested about pilot job.                        

Retirement age
The highest age for this position is 65 years but if the health is fine and there is a need for senior pilots the age of a pilot could be up to 68 years.

Pilot stations
There are 6 regions in Estonia that can be used for piloting. These regions include 26 harbours. Two new harbours - Sillamäe and Tamme - will be added within the next years. Sillamäe port's main target is tankers and Tamme harbour is mainly for cruise ships.
There were 19.270 pilot calls in 2003 and 20.004 calls in 2004. This shows a small increase but at the same time the tonnage of the ships is decreasing.
Estonian Pilot's has 18 pilot boats. The older ones from the Soviet times will be replaced with contemporary ones that have been built in Estonia. The boats are quick and secure. All the pilots have life jackets and these are changed gradually to newer ones. The pilots also have special clothing for different weather conditions.

Additional training/continued proficiency
Every year six pilots can participate in pilots' extension courses in Ilawa in Poland. The pilots also have an opportunity to practice at a bridge-simulator at Estonian Maritime Academy. Estonian Maritime Academy has also worked out a program for extension courses for the pilots.
Last year the Tallinn piloting area in co-operation with VTS got an ECDIS picture with AIS information to the pilot station. Alas the radar picture is still missing.
Last year there were two accidents worth mentioning. 10.11.2004 a container ship MSC Lieselotte went aground in the piloting area. The hull and screw propeller were broken. After being released the ship continued its journey independently.
The second accident was in 23.09.2004 in Muuga port when tanker Astro Canopus was docking. It hit the edge of the pier and thus it caused a slight damage to the ship. The construction of the pier was also a bit damaged but the tanker itself was in ballast and thus there was no pollution. There have also been some near misses in summer when the shipping traffic in Tallinn bay is increasing.