The competition

The number of pilots at a station is directly related to the traffic, i.e. the number of ships piloted at the station. When the need for recruitment arises, a public competition is organized by the Maritime Affairs Administration, its publication being posted at least two months before the chosen date.

Pilots are recruited from among officers of the Merchant Navy holding a brevet de Commandement and having sailed at least 72 months in the merchant navy or on government ships, including 48 months in the navigation and watchkeeping service on ships armed for long-distance, coastal, deep-sea or off-shore fishing.

Pilot candidates must be at least 24 and no more than 35 years old.

They must meet the general physical fitness requirements for merchant navy captains (decree of April 16, 1986), moreover to more demanding sensory standards set by the decree of January 23, 2018 (visit the official website) on physical fitness requirements for pilots and pilot captains.

In exceptional circumstances, and after consulting a local committee, exemptions to the age and sailing conditions may be granted.

The terms and conditions governing the organization and program of pilot competitions are set out in the decree of September 26, 1990, amended by the decree of November 23, 2012 governing the organization and program of pilot competitions.

The competition jury is chaired by an officer of the French Navy, and also includes a captain, a marine navigation inspector and two station pilots.

When new pilots take up their duties, they must complete several months of practical training, accompanying other pilots on board all types of vessels, day and night, in their area of expertise.

After this training period, the new pilot gradually begins to pilot larger and larger vessels. It takes five years to train a pilot capable of piloting all types of vessel.