Status of Pilots: Spain 2003

The Spanish pilotage service is provided by self-employed pilots. The pilots of the different ports are organised in Corporaciones. In Spain there are 56 ports with pilot services. Since November 1992 pilots work under the new Law named ,,Ley de puertos del Estado y de la Marina Mercante". The pilots are licensed by the Administration through ,,Direccion General de la Marina Mercante" and appointed by the Port Authority. Any holder of a pilot's licence and appointment is sufficient and necessary to be member of the  Pilots'  Organisation ,,Corporacion",  with  all  rights  and  obligations. In supplementation of the Law Spanish pilots are working in accordance with a new regulation named ,,Reglamento General de Practicaje" (from 29th March 1996).

Pilotage is compulsory for all vesseis over 500 GT. Masters of vessels not carrying dangerous cargoes can ask for PEC's after 30 calls in one port within one year, if they are able to speak the Spanish language, and after passing an examination at the harbour master (Capitan Maritimo).

Number of Pilots
200 Harbour Pilots. 48 Brotherhoods (Corporations)

EMPA Membership
Since 1963.

Minimum Qualifications
Masters licence and 2 years as master of vessels (minimum 1000 GT) during the last 10 years. Examination of general matters plus examination of local knowledge plus 6 months training in the port area.

Retirement
In Spain, after 27.02.04, retirement is at the age of 65; but an extension till 70 can be allowed upon request, provided medical check is all right, and Port and Maritime administrations inform positively. At 70, retirement becomes compulsory.

Tariffs / Income
Tariffs are designed by the Port Authority. There is no guaranteed income. The Spanish pilots take the full ,,economical risk" in other words ,,No Ships = No Income".

Working Hours
The pilots' service in Spain is permanent. Each pilot organisation arranges its working hours and free time. Vacation depend on number of pilots and traffic. In general a pilot is ,,on duty" if he is not sick or on leave.
The system is different between ports, depending on number of pilots and traffic. There are no regulatations about ,,guaranteed rest time".

Medical Checks
Pilots younger than 55 year are to pass a medical check every 2 years. From the age of 55 on a medical is obligatory every year.
Before getting a pilot´s licence the applicant has additional to the medical check run through a physical test as follows : Swim 50 m in 2 minutes, run 1000 m in 6 minutes and climb up a 5 m pilot ladder.

National Organisation
All Spanish pilots are members of the Natinal Federation named ,,Federacion de practicos de Puerto de Espana".  President : Captain Idelfonso Munoz Fernández. Secretary General: Captain Emilio Martin Bauzá. A National College is in process of establishment, and the first elections are scheduled for May 2004.