Frequently Asked Questions

Cases where a PEC cannot be issued (Section 9 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations)

• Vessels with a length of 150 metres or more (with certain exceptions that follow from Section 9 (4), see more information below).
• Nuclear-powered vessels.

Cases where a PEC cannot be used (Section 17 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations)

• PECs cannot be used for the transport of substances regulated in the INF code or for the carriage of the following liquid cargoes in bulk:
  • o liquefied gases, cf. IGC Code, Chapter 19, excluding vessels up to 110 metres which
    • are IGC ship type 3G, 2PG or 2G,
    • are equipped with an approved ECDIS, and
    • have redundant propulsion
  • o substances in category X in MARPOL Annex II, cf. IBC Code, Chapter 17
  • o substances in category Y in MARPOL Annex II, cf. IBC Code, Chapter 17, all substances regulated in MARPOL Annex I and substances with a flash point below 60 °C, when the vessel has a single hull and a length of 70 metres or more
  • o substances in category Y in MARPOL Annex II, cf. IBC Code, Chapter 17, all substances regulated in MARPOL Annex I and substances with a flash point below 60 °C, when the vessel has a double hull and a length of 90 metres or more, excluding vessels up to 110 metres which
    • are equipped with an approved ECDIS,
    • have protection of the bunker tanks with double skin if the vessel uses heavy oil for propulsion (does not apply to vegetable oil and fish oil), and
    • have redundant propulsion (does not apply to vegetable oil and fish oil).
  • The restrictions in the first paragraph do not apply to vessels used in a support function in offshore activities and carrying limited quantities of hazardous liquid substance in bulk, as defined in Section 6 of Regulation no. 944 of July 2014 relating to dangerous cargos on Norwegian ships.
  • Vessels carrying a substance or cargo described in the first paragraph are considered to be carrying the substance or cargo until the tanks are emptied of the substance or cargo and have been cleaned.
  • In special cases, the Norwegian Coastal Administration can, upon application, decide that a PEC may nevertheless be used for the transport of substances described in the first paragraph.

Restriction in Section 17 (1) (a) and (d)

• Previously, vessels had to apply for exemptions from this restriction, but as of 1 July 2020, the exemption is covered in the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations for vessels up to 110 metres.
  • o A PEC cannot be used when carrying substances regulated in the INF Code or the following liquid loads in bulk
    • liquefied gasses, cf. the IGC Code, Chapter 19, excluding vessels up to 110 metres that
      • are IGC ship type 3G, 2PG or 2G,
      • are equipped with an approved ECDIS, and
      • have redundant propulsion
    • substances in category Y in MARPOL Annex II, cf. IBC Code, Chapter 17, all substances regulated in MARPOL Annex I and substances with a flash point below 60 °C, when the vessel has a double hull and a length of 90 metres or more, excluding vessels up to 110 metres which
      • are equipped with an approved ECDIS,
      • have protection of the bunker tanks with double skin if the vessel uses heavy oil for propulsion (does not apply to vegetable oil and fish oil), and
      • have redundant propulsion (does not apply to vegetable oil and fish oil).
    • Vessels carrying vegetable oil and fish oil (IBC name rapeseed oil, fish oil) must only meet the first criterion for an ECDIS. In addition, special consideration must be given to whether the number of cargo tanks means that the consequences will be limited in the event of an accident.

Exceptions from certain length restrictions for the use of PECs

FB for vessels over 150 metres in special cases, Section 9 (4) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations:

• If your vessel is over 150 metres and all criteria are met, you may, in accordance with Section 9 (4) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations, apply to the Norwegian Coastal Administration for permission to use a PEC to meet the pilotage requirement even if the vessel is longer than 150 metres.

Criteria

• Regular calls at fixed ports at least twice a month.
• The vessel has a bridge crew and watch arrangement that makes it possible to have two deck officers on the bridge while sailing in the waters subject to the pilotage requirement and at least one of the deck officers has or obtains a Class 1 PEC.
• The vessel is not carrying hazardous or noxious cargo (see Sections 3, 6, and 17 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations).
• There should also be an agreement in place stipulating that the route will be continued for more than 1 year.

About the application

You must meet the criteria above in order for the Norwegian Coastal Administration to consider your application. Any exceptions here will apply to the vessel, and the application must also be framed to apply to the vessel (not PEC holders).

Send your application to:

Email:

Post: The Norwegian Coastal Administration, PO Box 1502, 6025 Ålesund, NORWAY

NB: Remember to provide documentation to show that the criteria are met.

Section 3 (2) (e) exempts tugs from the pilotage requirement under the following conditions:

• Towing fish pens between locations when:
  • o the total length of the towed objects does not exceed 130 metres;
  • o the total length of the tow is not longer than the narrowest fairway;
  • o the vessel has an AIS and a mounted VHF radio for communication with the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centre and other vessels;
  • o the vessel informs the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s pilotage service about the tow at least 1 hour before the work starts. If the voyage is taking place in one of the VTS centres, the message must be conveyed to them.

Section 16 (2) stipulates the following special conditions for tugs with a PEC:

• A PEC cannot be used by a vessel that:
  • o is pushing or towing one or more objects if the object or objects have a total length of 100 metres or more, a width of 32 metres or more, a height of 10 metres or more or a draught of 8 metres or more; or
  • o is pushing or towing one or more objects in one of the local fairways listed in Appendix 3 to the Regulations, if the object or objects have a total length of 75 metres or more, a width of 30 metres or more, a height of 10 metres or more or a draught of 8 metres or more.
• Notwithstanding the restrictions in the second paragraph, vessels with a navigation licence as an approved tug vessel or that have a towing permit can still use the PEC when towing:
  • o floating pipes where the total length of the tow does not exceed 505 metres and the width of the tow does not exceed 12 metres and the maximum draught of the tow does not exceed 0.5 metres; or
  • o fish pens, where the total length of the fish pens does not exceed 300 metres and the maximum draught does not exceed 0.7 metres.

Vessels carrying substances listed in Section 17 (1) (b), (c) and (d) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations cannot use a PEC, and must use the pilotage service when sailing in Norwegian waters.

However, when the cargo has been delivered, the tanks have been cleaned and the vessel only contains ‘wash water’, the vessel can use a PEC as if there was no cargo. In such cases, the wash water must be made up of at least 98 per cent water.

With a PEC you can ...

sail without a pilot in the fairways subject to a pilotage requirement or in the areas specified in the PEC with the vessels included in the certificate. There are certain conditions and restrictions for the use of a PEC. These are stated on the PEC itself, or in Sections 15 to 17 and 21 of the Compulsory Duty Regulations in the case of Cadet PECs. Local restrictions along the coast are set out in Appendix 3 to the Regulations.

sail without a pilot in the fairways subject to a pilotage requirement or in the areas specified in the PEC with the vessels included in the certificate. There are certain conditions and restrictions for the use of a PEC. These are stated on the PEC itself, or in Sections 15 to 17 and 21 of the Compulsory Duty Regulations in the case of Cadet PECs. Local restrictions along the coast are set out in Appendix 3 to the Regulations.

Revoking and inspecting PECs

The Norwegian Coastal Administration may revoke a PEC or a Cadet PEC for a specific period of time or permanently, in accordance with Section 47 of the Harbour Act and Section 24 (2) of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations if:

• the holder violates provisions in law, regulations or individual decisions concerning safety at sea; or
• the holder violates the conditions for having a PEC or Cadet PEC; or
• the holder is involved in situations, or situations arise that make it clear that he or she is not fit to hold a PEC or Cadet PEC;
• the holder does not provide the information or documentation necessary to verify that he or she meets the conditions for having the certificate; or
• there have been changes in the material circumstances that formed the basis for the certificate being issued.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration is the supervisory authority and can carry out inspections to ensure that the conditions for holding and using PECs, Cadet PECs or assessor qualification certificates are being met. Pursuant to Section 38 of the Harbour Act, the Norwegian Coastal Administration must have unhindered access to vessels that are subject to a pilotage requirement in accordance with Section 6 of the Compulsory Pilotage Regulations to the extent necessary for carrying out the inspection.

Vessels, shipping companies and holders of PECs must, when the supervisory authority so requires, submit documentation that is relevant for checking compliance with the provisions on the requirement to use a pilot or a navigator with a PEC.

A PEC fee is payable to sit exams and to have a certificate issued, extended or renewed, and when changing vessels in relation to the PEC.

The PEC fee must be paid via SafeSeaNet Norway.