Navy Harbor Pilots

[78BM98]

I worked for Navy Harbor Pilots when I was in the Navy at Port Services in Diego Garcia, Key West, and Kings Bay Georgia. When I was in the Navy there were always about 14 of them around and most people did not know that they even existed. They served Groton Ct., Guam, Little Creek Va, Guitmo, Key West, Rota, Diego Garcia, I forgot the others. Most were BM's (Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief) and an occasional QM. Back then the pathway was to work on tugs, usually YTB's and work into the Pilot program with Pilot recommendations. Now that Navy tugs are mostly phased out and commercial tugs are now doing most of the work, does anyone know how people are getting the experience and working their way into the Navy Harbor Pilot program ? Does the program still exist ?

[Skoidat69]

I have used them in DG and Suda Bay in 2008 and 2009 while working on board the USNS Lawrence H. Gianella.

[NAUTICART]

I worked for Navy Harbor Pilots when I was in the Navy at Port Services in Diego Garcia, Key West, and Kings Bay Georgia. When I was in the Navy there were always about 14 of them around and most people did not know that they even existed. They served Groton Ct., Guam, Little Creek Va, Guitmo, Key West, Rota, Diego Garcia, I forgot the others. Most were BM's (Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief) and an occasional QM. Back then the pathway was to work on tugs, usually YTB's and work into the Pilot program with Pilot recommendations. Now that Navy tugs are mostly phased out and commercial tugs are now doing most of the work, does anyone know how people are getting the experience and working their way into the Navy Harbor Pilot program ? Does the program still exist ?

I just called the phone # listed HERE, and yes the program still exists. They encourage a call, and assured they don't bite.

# 901-874-3714

[Jolly Tar]

Dude - I'm a retired USN Harbor Pilot. Roosevelt Roads, GTMO and Groton. I am now a civil service pilot up here in Kings Bay, GA. You looking into this for someone else?

Check yer inbox

[Jolly Tar]

I have used them in DG and Suda Bay in 2008 and 2009 while working on board the USNS Lawrence H. Gianella.

Souda Bay, Crete? You had an Active Duty pilot?

[emxer]

Soudha Bay has always used Helenic Navy pilots to my knowledge.

[mike24]

Jolly when were you in GTMO?
I was there from Jan 97 to Nov 98.

[Skoidat69]

We had a Hellenic navy pilot with a US pilot tagging along

[Jolly Tar]

Jolly when were you in GTMO?
I was there from Jan 97 to Nov 98.

I was indeed; 2000-2003

[Jolly Tar]

We had a Hellenic navy pilot with a US pilot tagging along

A US Pilot and a USN Harbor Pilot are two VERY different things. USN Enlisted Harbor Pilots were never stationed in Crete.

[Jeffrox]

Greek pilots worked my USNS vessel in Crete in Dec 2010.

[78BM98]

Jolly Tar, Thanks for the come back...no, I am not looking into it for anyone, just inquisitive as to how things are in todays Navy, having been retired since 1998. All of my boat/ship handling skills came from Navy Harbor Pilots; Jim Weathers (R.I.P.) in Key West and Kings Bay, Jack Grant in Diego Garcia (1980-81). Was friends with a couple more at the Chiefs Club in Little Creek and Roosy. Learned a whole lot on a single screw tug from Jim, and how to move a pretty large cargo filled deck barge, ship to shore using an LCM8, from Jack. Back then the large pier at DG was not done yet, so we moved cargo from anchored ships to the short pier then SEABEES would offload us. Just was curious how an E-6 or Chief goes about becoming a Navy Harbor Pilot these days without Navy tugs. Do they get their tug experience by riding the ECO Tractors then the Ships? Are there still Craftmaster/Tugmaster quals in the Navy? Used to be NEC 0161, 0165 etc....Again, not really looking into it, just following my passion of keeping up with whats going on in the workboat industry. Just a quick note....almost none of the retired Navy people I know, officer and enlisted, have even heard of the Navy Harbor Pilots. They do too much for the Navy to not be known.

[Jeffrox]

The Navy is building a new series of tugs; as I understand, they will have civilian and active duty drivers. http://www.komonews.com/younews/106837208.html

[Jolly Tar]

The Navy is building a new series of tugs; as I understand, they will have civilian and active duty drivers. http://www.komonews.com/younews/106837208.html

As of right now, in the PNW, they operated by civilians.

[Jolly Tar]

Jolly Tar, Thanks for the come back...no, I am not looking into it for anyone, just inquisitive as to how things are in todays Navy, having been retired since 1998. All of my boat/ship handling skills came from Navy Harbor Pilots; Jim Weathers (R.I.P.) in Key West and Kings Bay, Jack Grant in Diego Garcia (1980-81). Was friends with a couple more at the Chiefs Club in Little Creek and Roosy. Learned a whole lot on a single screw tug from Jim, and how to move a pretty large cargo filled deck barge, ship to shore using an LCM8, from Jack. Back then the large pier at DG was not done yet, so we moved cargo from anchored ships to the short pier then SEABEES would offload us. Just was curious how an E-6 or Chief goes about becoming a Navy Harbor Pilot these days without Navy tugs. Do they get their tug experience by riding the ECO Tractors then the Ships? Are there still Craftmaster/Tugmaster quals in the Navy? Used to be NEC 0161, 0165 etc....Again, not really looking into it, just following my passion of keeping up with whats going on in the workboat industry. Just a quick note....almost none of the retired Navy people I know, officer and enlisted, have even heard of the Navy Harbor Pilots. They do too much for the Navy to not be known.

Should anyone be so motivated - U/W OOD Letters and LCU Craftmaster qual has gotten a foot in the door. I am unfamiliar with any sailors riding C-Tractors to gain time in KBAY. There is an AD Pilot in Groton that drove LCUs. The numbers are dwindling rapidly. When I retired in 2006, I was 6 of 11. They just can't be made fast enough anymore to plug any holes in manning. With the loss of the YTBs it just ain't the same. As the final Tugmaster of YTB809 AGAWAM, I can state unequivocally that THAT was the MOST fun I EVER had with clothes on.

[BMCSRetired]

As the final Tugmaster of YTB809 AGAWAM, I can state unequivocally that THAT was the MOST fun I EVER had with clothes on.

Try driving one of those Z-Drive tugs, you may have to re-evaluate.

[Jolly Tar]

Try driving one of those Z-Drive tugs, you may have to re-evaluate.

Concur. We hold monthly training where we, the pilots operate the boats. I could have SCADS of fun on one of those.

[JasonGreene]

They are still around. I was in a 100 ton license class with one maybe 3 years ago. He was still active duty at the time, ran the amphibious ships in and out of Little Creek. Why he was going to school for a 100 ton license with his experience, I didn't grasp. Nice guy with a ton of great stories and knowledge, wish I'd kept in touch with him.

He did mention that he was 1 of 12 left in the Navy.

[Xmsccapt(ret)]

They are still around. I was in a 100 ton license class with one maybe 3 years ago. He was still active duty at the time, ran the amphibious ships in and out of Little Creek. Why he was going to school for a 100 ton license with his experience, I didn't grasp. Nice guy with a ton of great stories and knowledge, wish I'd kept in touch with him.

He did mention that he was 1 of 12 left in the Navy.

I think the USN has stopped the program not long ago. Most of the USN pilots these days are former USN ones, with more and more ex-msc masters in the mix. The navy pilots ( federal pilots actually) are a very good bang for the $$. Most are very able and good to work with without all the state pilot arrogance. Also, they a very aware of the USN/msc bs and know how to deal with the navy c/o mentality.

The reason the USN pilot was sitting in in a 100 ton class was perhaps to pass the USCG test. A lot of USN personnel come out of the navy thinking they know a lot about being a mariner, when most of what they know is just small change or one part of what is needed for a lic. ( I once worked with a retired USN quartermaster who's only job was doing tides and currents, he was perhaps the best tide and current man in the world but knew nothing of the rest of the job as a merchant watch officer) .

[BMCSRetired]

I once worked with a retired USN quartermaster who's only job was doing tides and currents, he was perhaps the best tide and current man in the world but knew nothing of the rest of the job as a merchant watch officer .

Which is why the commercial side is a little leary dealing with former NAVY/USCG guys until they prove themselves.

Even though I am one, I feel that way too until they show me something.