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Office: 503.325.2643
Dispatch:  503.325.2641
Office
E-Mail:		 Bar Pilot Office
Managers E-Mail: Managers@
Columbia
RiverBar
Pilots.com
Helicopter Base: 503.861.7155

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ORDERING COLUMBIA RIVER BAR PILOT SERVICE
COLUMBIA RIVER BAR PILOTS BOARDING PROCEDURES

HELICOPTER TRANSFER PROCEDURES
REQUIRED BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PILOTS
COLUMBIA RIVER BAR CLOSURES

ORDERING COLUMBIA RIVER BAR PILOT SERVICE

All vessels requesting the service of the Columbia River Bar Pilots are requested to give notification of their time of arrival directly to Columbia River Bar Pilots, Astoria (not through agent) at least 12 hours in advance. The Columbia River Bar Pilots office is capable of communicating by VHF radio with vessels offshore at distances greater than 60 miles. If the arrival time changes due to weather or other causes, Columbia River Bar Pilots are to be notified no later than 4 hours before the original ETA expires. Failure to communicate in a timely manner directly to the Columbia River Bar Pilots may result in delay. Marine exchange, vessel agents and Columbia River Pilots are advised of information received by the Bar Pilots.

When ordering a Columbia River Bar Pilot, the following information is required:

  1. Complete name and type of vessel.
  2. The date and time of vessel ETA at the Pilot Station.
  3. Maximum fresh water draft. If vessel is not on even keel, provide fore and aft fresh water drafts.
  4. Any pertinent special information or instructions about the vessel and its arrival.

 

High Seas Cable addressed:
BAR PILOT ASTO

TWX Telex II 9104668014

MARISAT 0239104668014
Access 230 or 255

TELEPHONE Astoria, Oregon

Dispatcher:    503 325-2641
Fax:                 503 325-5630
VHF:                Channel 16 or 13 or 09

Pilot Office Astoria: KOK 360

e-mail pilotast@pacifier.com 

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COLUMBIA RIVER BAR PILOTS
BOARDING PROCEDURES

All vessels are required to contact Columbia River Bar Pilots via VHF channel 9, 13, or 16 as far in advance as possible of arrival time. The call sign for the Bar Pilot office is KOK-360. Vessels will be asked to confirm arrival time, and advised to call in again when 15 miles from the CR buoy via VHF channels 9 or 13. At that time vessels will be advised of pilot boarding instructions. The primary method of pilot boarding is by helicopter. The Bar Pilots also maintain one of 2 pilot boats on standby at all times. Vessels should not approach the CR buoy until advised by a pilot. While awaiting a pilot boarding by helicopter or pilot boat, vessels should stay within a marshalling area approximately 5 miles west of the CR buoy. Pilots boarding by helicopter will generally board within 4-10 miles northwest to southwest of the CR buoy. Boarding by pilot boat generally takes place in the vicinity of the CR buoy.

The Bar Pilots maintain one of two pilot boats and one helicopter on call at all times. The pilot boat CHINOOK is 72 feet long, has a yellow hull and yellow superstructure with the word PILOT prominently displayed on the side of the house. The pilot boat COLUMBIA is 86 feet long, has a white hull and orange superstructure with the word PILOT prominently displayed on the side of the house. The helicopter SEAHAWK is 42.7 feet long with a rotor span of 36 feet, has a blue and white body with the word PILOT prominently displayed on the side,
 

When the CHINOOK is used, the pilot ladder should be rigged approximately 2 meters (6 feet) above the water. When the COLUMBIA is used, the pilot ladder should be rigged approximately 3 meters (12 feet) above the water. When the SEAHAWK is used follow the International Chamber of Shipping’s Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations rules and instructions from Columbia River Bar Pilots.

When boarding, the pilot ladder shall be located at amidships. NO man ropes and NO boat ropes shall be utilized.

For vessels proceeding up river beyond Astoria, the pilot ladder is usually rigged on the Starboard side 1 meter (3 feet) above the water for the change of pilots above the Astoria bridge.

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HELICOPTER TRANSFER PROCEDURES

General:

  1. The helicopter is operating in accordance with the ICAO regulations and with the International Chamber of Shipping’s Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations rules.
  2. Vessel configuration, sea state and wind force will determine if a hoist or landing will be conducted.
  3. To provide the highest degree of safety for boarding, the Master may be requested to alter course or speed of the vessel, if safe to do so. The objective is to provide minimum roll of the vessel at the time of transfer.

Communication:

  1. Arriving vessels call the "Columbia River Bar Pilots" for instructions before reaching 15 miles from the ‘CR’ Buoy on VHF channel 16 / 09.
  2. Arriving vessels will be instructed to report again at 15 miles distance from the ‘CR’ Buoy on Channel 09.
  3. Pilot helicopter "SEAHAWK" will then be dispatched to your vessel with the Marine Pilot.
  4. Remain on VHF Channel 09 for helicopter operations until the marine pilot is safely transferred and the helicopter has departed the area.

Masters – Confirm the following:

  1. Check that no wires or aerials above the helicopter maneuvering zone.
  2. Check that no loose objects are in or near the helicopter maneuvering zone.
  3. At night, the helicopter maneuvering zone should be illuminated with all available deck lighting, but not in such a way as to blind the helicopter crew. Deck lights must remain ON until the helicopter has departed the area.
  4. Assisting crewmen should wear eye protective goggles.
  5. The trail line, when used, must NOT be fastened to the vessel.

General Transfer Operations Instructions:

  1. A clear area 5 meters in diameter with no obstructions higher than 0.08 meter.
  2. A maneuvering zone concentric with previous area, which may extend over the vessel’s side of 20 meters with no obstructions higher than 3 meters.
    NOTE: With the Master’s agreement, the helicopter pilot may decide to conduct the transfer hoist outside of the designated area.
  3. Vessel’s course altered to provide minimum roll of the vessel.
  4. Provide two crewmen to assist with transfer.

Trail/Tag line hoist operation:

  1. The vessel crew tending the trail line must insure that the line is not tied to the vessel and does not become fouled with the vessel.
  2. The vessel crew tending the trail line shall use it to guide the Marine Pilot to the intended hoist area using only enough force to stabilize and keep the Pilot from swinging into hazards.
     

Land on Deck operations:

  1. All vessel crew assisting with transfer remain clear of designated helicopter maneuvering zone. No vessel crew should ever approach the helicopter unless directed. Never pass in back or in front of the helicopter.
     

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REQUIRED BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PILOTS

PILOT LADDER OF ALL SHIPS MUST COMPLY WITH THE SOLAS REGULATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If freeboard is more than 9 meters, an accommodation ladder must be rigged in conjunction with the pilot ladder. In the interest of safety to all state pilots, and crews of ships navigating the waters of Oregon, this Board endorses and supports the rigging of pilot ladders to meet the international requirements of SOLAS regulations. To facilitate maximum stowage of timber cargos and meet SOLAS requirements, the following arrangement is recommended:

The provision on the port side of the vessel (port and starboard if bound for British Columbia) for a walk through tunnel solidly bridged over, about 3 feet wide, 6 feet high, well lit, and ending athwartships, under the wing stow from a position in way of a deck house area, and out of the ship's side; hence facilitating rigging of the pilot ladder and necessary man ropes over the ship's rail and down the side of the vessel. An access catwalk will be provided over the timbers from the access at the face of the wheelhouse to the access on the deck house. Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots promotes safety and urges that any vessel transiting Oregon waters comply with these requirements.

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COLUMBIA RIVER BAR CLOSURES

Masters of vessels arriving at the Columbia River during a bar closure are advised to stand offshore at least 10 miles west of the Columbia River Approach Buoy “CR” and await instructions from the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Using the open roadstead in the vicinity of the Columbia River entrance as an anchorage is dangerous in any weather, and IS NOT recommended by the Columbia River Bar Pilots.

A fixed amber light is maintained by the Columbia River Bar Pilots atop the pilot office at Astoria. When this light is exhibited it will inform outward bound vessels that desire a Bar Pilot that the bar is not passable and that the vessel should remain in port.

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Columbia River Bar Pilots , 100 16th Street, Astoria, OR 97103

If you have comments or suggestions about this web site, please e-mail  webmaster@columbiariverbarpilots.com.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Tom Smith