Types of Pilotage Exemption Certificate

• Class 1 PEC

  • Gives extended rights in a fairway with local restrictions.
  • Applies to experienced navigators.
  • Applies in waters that require a Class 1 PEC due to the length of the vessel.

• Requirement for experience for Class 1

  Experienced deck officers can apply for a PEC that gives rights in fairways with local restrictions. The rights in Class 1 extend further than Classes 2 and 3.

  See all requirements for experience in the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations, Section 12: Pilotage Exemption Certificate Class 1.

• Limitations of Class 1 PECs

  Even where a fairway is defined as a Class 1 fairway, a Class 2 PEC can still be used in the same fairway under the applicable limitations.

  For more information on Class 1 fairways and limitations:

  • Compulsory Pilotage Regulations, Appendix 3.
  • Chart display of local restrictions on kystinfo.no.
  • Your personal profile in SafeSeaNet.

• Renewing Class 1

  Where a renewal has not been obtained for a fairway in a Class 1 PEC, this will be frozen for three years after expiry. The fairway can be reactivated within three years without taking a new PEC exam if the holder can document two new voyages in the fairway.

  See Section 19 (2) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

• Class 2 PEC

  • Applies to vessels up to 150 metres.
  • Can be used in fairways that are defined as a Class 1 fairway, but with limitations in terms of length in accordance with local restrictions.
  • PEC exams for Class 2 and 1 are carried out by the state pilot.

• Requirement for experience for Class 2

  • Must have a deck officer certificate that is valid for the vessel(s) for which the PEC is sought.

  See all requirements for experience in Section 11 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

• Renewing Class 2

  • Valid for five years from the date of issue.
  • Can be renewed upon application if the applicant can document that, during the validity period, they have maintained their knowledge of the waters in the area for which renewal is sought.

  See all requirements for renewal in Section 19 (1) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

• Class 3 PEC

  • Applies to vessels up to 100 metres that have an ECDIS (can be an approved ECDIS with updated paper charts as back-up), must not be double installation, (paperless).
  • Cannot be used if the vessel has heavy oil on board or hazardous or noxious cargo.
  • Does not apply to vessels used in a support function in offshore activities and carrying limited quantities of hazardous liquid substances in bulk, as defined in Section 6 of Regulation no. 944 of July 2014 relating to dangerous cargos on Norwegian ships.
  • PEC exams for Class 3 PECs are carried out by a PEC assessor.

• Requirement for experience for Class 3

  • Applies to vessels shorter than 100 metres in length that are equipped with an approved ECDIS.
  • Cannot be used if the vessel has heavy oil on board or hazardous or noxious cargo.
  • Must have a deck officer certificate that is valid for the vessel(s) for which a PEC is sought.

  See all requirements for experience in Section 10 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

• Renewing class 3

  • Valid for five years from the date of issue.
  • The PEC can be renewed upon application if the applicant can document that, during the validity period, they have maintained their knowledge of the waters in the area for which renewal is sought. Knowledge maintained through use of a simulator is also permitted by the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
  • A PEC can be renewed within six months of its expiry date.
  • An application for renewal must be received by the Norwegian Coastal Administration no later than 30 days before the expiry date of the PEC.

  See all requirements for renewal in Section 19 (1) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

• Cadet PECs

  • Applies to navigators who, during the last five years, have completed a course in coastal navigation that is approved by the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
  • When a Cadet PEC has been granted by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the navigator can carry out bridge duty independently in the fairways determined by the captain.
  • The Cadet PEC is valid for three years from the date of issue and cannot be renewed.
  • The Cadet PEC is issued by the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

• How to apply for a Cadet PEC

  To be issued with a Cadet PEC, applicants must include the following in their application to SafeSeaNet:

  • Copy of a valid deck officer certificate.
  • Course certificate showing ‘Pass’ in coastal navigation course in the last five years (see link to relevant course locations).
  • Cadet agreement, contract and declaration for systematic training of the holder of the certificate.

  To qualify for the certificate, the candidate must have a valid navigator’s certificate for the vessel to which the Cadet PEC applies. They must also have passed an approved course in coastal navigation in the last five years, and there must be a contract in place for systematic training in coastal sailing between the shipping company, the ship’s master and the holder of the certificate.

  The Cadet PEC can only be used when the master’s/mentor’s standard PEC is valid. As candidates acquire knowledge of the waters, they will be qualified to apply for a standard PEC. Both certificates can be held at the same time without any conflict.

  The Cadet PEC is intended to facilitate the navigator’s introduction to the PEC scheme. It is not possible to renew a Cadet PEC.

  Applications for a Cadet PEC must be submitted via SafeSeaNet Norway. A copy of the forms must be attached to the application.

• Conditions for using the Cadet PEC

  See the conditions in Section 20 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations.

  Main points:

  • The Cadet PEC is only valid when the ship’s master has a valid PEC and is named as a mentor in the Cadet PEC.
  • The ship’s master decides when and in which fairways the holder of the Cadet PEC can carry out bridge duty independently (Ref. Section 21 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations).
  • The Cadet PEC is valid for three years.
  • When the systematic training on board has been completed, the holder of a Cadet PEC can apply for a standard PEC.
  • The ship’s master must provide a written declaration of completed training, and this must be attached to the application for a PEC (Ref. Section 20 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations).
  • In the event of a change of captain/mentor, a new, updated agreement must be submitted to the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
  • Cadet PECs cannot be used on vessels with a LOA of more than 150 metres, cf. Section 9 (4), or in fairways where the vessel is defined as Class 1 in the fairway, cf. Section 21 and Appendix 3 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations. Only a Class 1 PEC is regarded as a valid PEC in such voyages.