Introduction

The United States West Coast has almost as much variety as the East Coast, except some parts are even more inaccessible. The Pacific Coast can be a different experience from the Atlantic, particularly in the far Northwest (Washington state and Alaska), which more closely resembles the fjords of Scandinavia than anything found elsewhere in the USA.

California has a relatively temperate climate (especially San Diego) and can be quite cool even in the heat of the summer. Northern California is green, wooded, and even mountainous all the way into Oregon and southern Washington. Some of these areas are entirely inaccessible by yacht and there are no services for many miles. Overnight sailing in this area is guaranteed.

The far Northwest of Washington (near Seattle) is a major maritime center. It is a major jumping-off point for cruisers who aim to experience the Inside Passage, a somewhat protected cruising ground in the fjords of Alaska. The area becomes somewhat more busy near the end of the Spring as the Alaskan cruising season is dominantly a summer event.

Washington State Pilotage Requirements

The Washington State Pilot Board has a regulation requiring all foreign flagged vessels carry a pilot or get an exemption. This rule is applied to all foreign cruising yachts except for Canadian yachts that regularly sail West Coast waters.

The exemptions for various vessels are summarized in this document and on the official website. The process in place doesn’t seem widely used and few seem be aware of it, including pilots and local officials.

To apply for an exemption you have to pay $50, $700 if over 50ft, and apply 30 days in advance of entering Washington. Payment by cheque only. If you have no experience cruising these waters it’s likely exemption will be refused.

This rule is really aimed at the large cruise ships and chartered motor vessels that come to the area and are owned by companies who have the means to write US cheques. It has been enforced haphazardly in the past, however from time to time visiting yachts are aprehended and have to pay the waiver fee.

Its application to foreign flagged-vessels is being reviewed.

Further contacts

Judy Bell, Washington State Pilotage Commission, 206-515-3647

To read the complete language of the statute and the rules go to www.pilotage.wa.gov Link to the RCW (88.16.070) and the WAC (363-116-360) from the box at the right on the Home page. The WAC will show the fee schedule.

Weather

US National weather.