For more than a century and a half, the San Francisco Bar Pilots have ensured the safe and efficient movement of the largest vessels that traverse the San Francisco Bay, adjacent bays and tributaries, and Monterey Bay.
Our services are essential to the flow of goods between the bay and the world. We move more than 9,000 vessels a year, working closely with shipping agencies, tug companies, and the U.S. Coast Guard to deliver cargo and passengers safely and on time.
Sixty pilots are members of the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association. Our scope of services is unique in that it includes bar, river and bay pilotage. In addition, we have a far-reaching service area that encompasses the entire San Francisco Bay Area, and Stockton, Sacramento, and Monterey Bay. The pilotage grounds map demonstrates the vast area we service.
Despite narrow channels and rivers, shallow shoals and sand bars, shifting currents and tides, the San Francisco Bar Pilots expertly and efficiently navigate them, along with thick fog, high winds and winter storms. We possess the experience, shiphandling skills and local knowledge that enable us to move seagoing vessels in one of the most dangerous pilotage areas in the country.