The Chamber of Shipping was informed of the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners’ intent to interpret and potentially apply RCW 88.16.180 to oil tankers over 5,000 gross tons navigating through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass on their way to or from Canadian ports. If adopted, this interpretation could require vessels under the guidance of the Pacific Pilotage Authority licensed pilots, to board a Puget Sound Pilot, leading to multiple pilot exchanges, extended transit times, and increased costs.
In response, the Chamber of Shipping submitted a letter to the Board of Pilotage Commissioners expressing our concerns. Some of the key points we raised include:
- Ambiguity of “Adjacent Waters”: Haro Strait and Boundary Pass are not clearly defined as “adjacent” to Puget Sound under Washington State law.
- Operational & Safety Considerations: Multiple pilot exchanges create unnecessary complexity, adding risk and logistical challenges.
- Environmental Impact: Shifting routes or increasing transit time raises emissions and potentially undermines established initiatives such as the Port of Vancouver’s ECHO Program for southern resident killer whale protection.
- Existing Exemptions & Frameworks: RCW 88.16.070 has historically exempted vessels to and from Canadian ports from having a Puget Sound Pilot, and cooperative spill response mechanisms already exist in these waters.
- Request for Clarity and Collaboration: We have asked the Board to carefully evaluate this interpretation to avoid duplicative, costly, and potentially counterproductive requirements.
The Board of Pilotage Commissioners will have another public meeting on April 17th and a decision is expected to be shared at the May 2025 meeting.
