Quirks of fate prevented the Spanish, English, and Russians from discovering the Columbia River in their explorations along the coast starting as early as the 1760’s. The largest river on the West Coast of North America described as the "big water" by coastal natives awaited the first recorded crossing by Captain Robert Gray’s entrance on May 11, 1792. Local Indians provided early settlers pilotage followed by various men from the Hudson Bay Company and early settlers. In response to burgeoning trade from the River, the Oregon Territorial Legislature enacted into law pilotage regulations on December 18, 1846. Over the next few years, various adventurers provided pilotage but encountered quite a number of mishaps. In December of 1851 Captain George Flavel was granted a pilot’s license after which he dominated Columbia River Pilotage for the next 25 years. He required all subordinates to have been ship’s Masters establishing a high standard to insure the necessary knowledge and background to assure safety. The present Columbia River Bar Pilots trace their origin to this era, making them one of the oldest ongoing businesses in Oregon and adhere to many of the same values and traditions Captain Flavel instituted. The Columbia River Bar Pilots have operated without disruption through two World Wars and natural disasters such as the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Located in Astoria, Oregon the Columbia River Bar Pilots are motivated and focused on providing superb quality and reliable service to vessels. We attempt to be active in promoting the commerce of the River through superior service, providing a flexible adaptive climate to solve problems facing vessels and by contacts through out the industry.