Port Entry and Berthing

When a ship nears a port, the ship will contact the port control and report their arrival, and then the ship will arrange for a harbor pilot to meet the ship to take the ship to the pier.

The process:

1. 1. The ship approaches the control area of the port and calls the pilot station to arrange for a harbor pilot.


2. 2. The pilot station will send a pilot boat with a pilot.


3. 3. The pilot boat will meet the ship and the pilot will board the ship.


4. 4. As the ship approaches its berth, it will generally be assisted into the berth by powerful tugboats. The pilot will direct the ship until it is secure at the assigned berth.