Ch. 3: Pilotage Rates for Portland Harbor

SUMMARY: This rule describes the rates for pilotage in Portland Harbor.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to this chapter.

Launch: A launch is considered a pilot conveyance to or from a ship in the event a pilot boat is unavailable.

Shift: Shifting is considered the pilotage required to move a ship from one port berth (or anchorage) to another.

Length Overall is the distance between the forward and after extremities of the vessel.

Extreme Breadth is the maximum breadth of the vessel including overhanging structures.

Moulded Depth is the vertical distance at amidships from the top of the keel plate to the uppermost continuous deck, fore and aft, and which extends to the sides of the vessel. The continuity of a deck shall not be considered to be affected by the existence of tonnage openings, engine spaces, or a step in the deck.

Rates

The following approved rates take effect upon the effective date of this Chapter. All rates are in U.S. dollars. Pilots do not maintain a pilot boat on station. The pilot service depends directly on ships’ ETA.

Portland Harbor – Defined from the position of Portland Lighted Horn Buoy “Papa” to Halfway Rock Lighthouse to Naval Fuel Depot Harpswell Neck via Broad Sound or Luckse Sound; to Cousins Island via Hussey Sound entrance, channels & anchorages; to Rolling Mills, including entrances, channels and anchorages in Portland Harbor; thence to Cape Elizabeth Lt; thence to Old Anthony Rock and West Hue and Cry Rock to point of beginning at the position of Portland Lighted Horn Buoy “Papa”.

Calculation of Rates

Length Overall x Extreme Breadth x Moulded Depth / 10,000 (all measurements are in feet).

LOA x B x D = Pilot Units

10,000

Vessel measurements will be based on the data listed in the most recent edition of classification society records.

Pilot Units

Special Notes and Charges

and West Hue and Cry Rock to point of beginning at the position of Portland Lighted Horn Buoy “Papa”.

Calculation of Rates

Length Overall x Extreme Breadth x Moulded Depth / 10,000 (all measurements are in feet).

LOA x B x D = Pilot Units

10,000

Vessel measurements will be based on the data listed in the most recent edition of classification society records.

Pilot Units

Special Notes and Charges

(i) Minimum of 150 pilot units each way, in addition to capital construction fees, and any applicable special charges and rates.

Maximum of 790 pilot units each way, in addition to capital construction fee, and any applicable special charges and rates.

Assist the Master in docking and undocking without the assistance of tugboats; 12.5% of the base pilotage rate (Pilot units x pilot unit rate), minimum fee of $350.

Pilot services for movement of vessels from Cousins Island and Hussey Sound to Portland Harbor or Portland Harbor to Cousins Island and Hussey Sound: 100% of regular rate.

Standing by with Pilot Boat per hour: $400.00

Vessels of 150 Pilot Units or less requiring Pilot services in excess of two and a half hours shall incur a surcharge of $400.00

Pilot carried away to Sea. Detention Rate: $1,000.00 per day plus all expenses incurred during and including return to Portland, Maine.

Vessels which require or otherwise request a second pilot, also known as an “Assist Pilot”: 50% of the base pilot unit rate.

Cancellation fees will be assessed:

For arrivals cancelled with four hours’ notice or less, $400.

For departures cancelled without two hours’ notice, $400.

While piloting with pilot onboard and engaged in piloting for less than 1 hour, 25% of prescribed rate.

While piloting with pilot onboard and engaged in piloting for more than 1 hour, 100% of prescribed rate.

The vessel agent is considered as acting for the consignee and/or the vessel operator and shall be responsible for pilotage fees

400.

For departures cancelled without two hours’ notice, $400.

While piloting with pilot onboard and engaged in piloting for less than 1 hour, 25% of prescribed rate.

While piloting with pilot onboard and engaged in piloting for more than 1 hour, 100% of prescribed rate.

The vessel agent is considered as acting for the consignee and/or the vessel operator and shall be responsible for pilotage fees. In cases where the vessel does not utilize agents, the vessel’s owner, operator, or other designee is responsible for payment for accounts past due.

A 1.5% per month finance charge will be added to accounts past due by 30 days.

Courtesy Pilotage may occur when a pilot licensed by this Commission provides services in an area where duly licensed, without charge, solely at the pilot’s discretion, if:

The vessel is a public vessel engaged in educational activities; or

The vessel is otherwise exempted from state pilotage requirements by federal guidelines.

Shifting Rates

Shifts (utilizing the safest, most direct route at the pilot’s discretion) between inner Anchorage’s A and B, between Anchorage’s A and B and berths within Portland or South Portland and vice versa, and between berths within South Portland and Portland; 50% of the base pilotage rate (Pilot units x pilot unit rate)

Capital Construction Fund

Any vessel inbound transit from sea, $300.

Any vessel outbound transit to sea, $300.

Any vessel shifts from Portland Harbor to Hussey Sound, $300.

Any vessel shifts from Hussey Sound to Portland Harbor, $300.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

38 M.R.S. §§ 86-A(3) and 90(1)(A) & (B)

EFFECTIVE DATE (NEW): July 6, 2026 – filing 2026-153

Rate Calculation | Effective

August 29, 2024 | Chapter 3 Rate

Per pilot unit (each way) | $14.59 | $16.16