Ordering Pilots
Our office is open seven days a week, 365 days a year for dispatching of river pilots.
Orders for river pilots must be placed between 0700-1600 hours by calling: (503) 289-9922
Although direct phone contact is preferred, orders may also be placed by:
Fax………………………………………………...(503) 289-9955
Email………………………………………………dispatchers@colrip.com
For Inbound Vessels:
- We request 4 days notice, whenever possible, for arriving vessels. The following information should be provided: ETA, arrival drafts, tentative berth(s) schedule, docking instructions, bunkering or other anchorage requirements, tug company to be used, ETD, and anticipated sailing drafts.
- All vessels and/or steamship agents must keep this office informed of any ETA changes.
- Vessels are required to provide a 12-hour notice of arrival at the CR buoy to the Columbia River Bar Pilot office by radio, phone, telex or fax as specified in the Coast Pilot.
For Outbound Vessels & Harbor Moves:
- All orders for sailing or harbor moves must be placed between 0700-1600 hours.
- Sailings or harbor moves in the ports of Portland & Vancouver require 2 hours notice.
- Sailings or harbor moves in the ports of Kalama & Longview require 3 hours notice.
- Any sailing or harbor move occurring from 1900 through 0900 the next day is an after hours job.
- Orders for after hours jobs must be placed with dispatcher no later than 1600 as either a "Set Job" or "Call Job".
- A "Set Job" is used for definite sailing/shifting times; pilot will report at designated time with no additional calls required. A report charge will be billed if pilot arrives and job cancels.
- A "Call Job" is used for tentative sailing/shifting times after dispatch office is closed; pilot will not report until the job is set; there is no charge for canceling a call job. To set a Call Job time, call the Merchant's Exchange at 503-228-4361 or on Channel 16, call sign WHW656 with the appropriate 2 or 3 hour notice.