Status of Pilots: Slovenia 2005

Introduction  and Organisation
In Slovenia there is one major port, the Port of Koper. There is one pilot's organisation - the PILOTI KOPER. The pilots are self-employed.

Legislation and Supervision
Pilotage in Slovenia is regulated by the 'Maritime Code'.

Pilots are registered in the pilot’s register at the Slovenian Maritime Directorate which is part of the Ministry of Transport and which also supervises pilotage / pilots in Slovenia.

EMPA Membership
Since 1998

Number of Pilots
6 pilots

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Master mariner certificate
  2. At least two years of sea service after obtaining the certificate
  3. Medical examination
  4. One year of apprenticeship
  5. Examinations
  6. Practical test

Retirement
Earliest age to retire is 60 years with 40 years of service; maximum age for active pilot is 65 years.

Tariffs
The tariffs are determinate by the pilot's organisation upon agreement with the interested parties, taking in account the cost of performing the service i.e. salaries, administration, boats, maintenance, taxes etc.

There is no guaranteed income. The Slovenian pilots take the full economical risk. No ships - no income. In other words the pilot´s income depends on the traffic flow.

Working Hours
The service is permanent. Minimum working hours are 40 per week. Working shifts are grouped in a 4-days system :

12 hours day duty / 24 hours off duty / 12 hours night duty / 48 hours off duty. There are no limits to the number of jobs within the 12 hours on duty. The annual average of jobs is about 600 per pilot.

The annual leave differs from 30 to 38 days, depending on the years of service.

Pilot Stations / Pilot Boats
We have one pilot station and two pilot boats. The place for the pilot station is rented. The pilot boats are owned by the pilots. The equipment and pilot boats are managed and maintained by the pilots. All expenses are covered from the tariffs.

Compulsory Pilotage / PEC'S
Pilotage is compulsory for ships of 500 GT and more, and for all ships carrying dangerous cargo.

In theory (there are no specific regulations) there are no PEC’S in  Slovenia, but in practice the Slovenian Maritime Directorate grants pilot exemption certificates on a case by case basis to certain ships / masters.

Medical Examination
Every pilot goes for a complete medical check including eye sight, hearing, blood and urine test, psichopihsical condition etc. every two years.