If a ship's officer has knowledge of local waters equivalent to that of a licensed pilot, that officer is eligible for a pilotage certificate.
Certification is achieved by passing examinations developed and administered by pilotage authorities, independent crown corporations responsible for the regulation of pilotage

The Pilotage Certification Issue in the Great Lakes Region
Some Canadian shipowners complain about the cost of pilotage and urge amending the Pilotage Act to weaken current requirements. These shipowners seek to have their vessels not only exempt from using pilotage services but also from the alternative, i.e., demonstrating that their officers have sufficient knowledge of local waters to hold pilotage certificates.

Pilotage exemptions for Canadian ships on the Great Lakes have been a contentious issue in the region and the subject of numerous inquiries and reviews since the Pilotage Act came into force in 1972.

The principal reviews that have been undertaken have all concluded that the exemption from the requirement for ships' officers to hold pilotage certificates is a risk to safe navigation and should be eliminated.

Gauthier Report (1990)
- In 1988, the GLPA proposed amendments to its Regulations in order to strengthen the requirements for exemption. Industry stakeholders objected and the Minister appointed an investigator (Johanne Gauthier) to review the objections.
- After review and consultation with stakeholders, the investigator made recommendations that were more stringent than the original GLPA proposal, most notably that vessels carrying dangerous or hazardous goods be ineligible for exemption.

Canadian Transportation Agency Review of Outstanding Pilotage Issues (1999)
- Year-long review, involving all stakeholders.
- Recommendation 15 states that requirements for exempting vessels be enhanced.

GLPA PRMM Report (2002)
- Year-long review conducted using risk assessment methodology developed by TC, including extensive consultations with all stakeholders.
- TC confirmed that the risk assessment was conducted in accordance with the Department’s methodology.
- Concluded that GLPA vessel exemption requirements/practices did not ensure an acceptable level of safe navigation in the Great Lakes pilotage areas.
- Recommended “that the GLPA eliminates the current vessel exemption based on a specific number of trips by the master and/or deck watch officer and replace it with a meaningful certification system” (p.55). GLPA Board of Directors accepted the recommendation.

Revised GLPA Proposal (2003)
- Canadian Shipowners Association expressed concern regarding the implementation of the PRMM recommendation. GLPA then made a new proposal wherein shipowners would be allowed to “self-regulate” (i.e. issue “pilotage authorizations”).
- This proposal was reviewed by Department of Justice lawyers assigned to TC and found to be in violation of the Pilotage Act.

Revised GLPA Proposal (2005)
- Acting on instructions from the Minister of Transport, GLPA's Board of Directors approved a new proposal to change the regulations to bring pilotage in the region into conformity with the law.
- Following objections from the Canadian Shipowners Association, TC officials instructed the GLPA to consult further and prepare another proposal.

Revised GLPA Proposal (2007)

Following consultations with CSA, the GLPA formulated a new proposal that would have provided for the possibility of implementing certification but would also have allowed shipowners to easily opt out of the new regime. In effect, the proposal would have further institutionalized exemptions.
The Minister of Transport advised the Authority that the proposal was contrary to the Act and instructed the GLPA to consult further.

Special Examination of the Auditor General (April 2008)
- Identified a “significant deficiency with regard to the practice of exempting Canadian ships” (p.9).
- Observed that the GLPA “does not have an effective mechanism to provide it with reasonable assurance that Canadian masters and deck watch officers have the necessary competencies and qualifications to ensure the safe passage of ships in compulsory pilotage areas” (p.9).
- Noted that exemptions “were intended as a temporary measure to protect the acquired rights of Canadian masters and deck watch officers until they could qualify for a pilotage certificate” (p.9).
- Recommended that: “as a regulatory agency responsible for navigation safety, the GLPA should implement a more effective mechanism to provide reasonable assurance that Canadian masters and deck watch officers have the competencies and qualifications needed to ensure the safe passage of vessels” (p.11).

Click here for the current status of the pilotage certification issue in the Great Lakes region.