Charleston Harbor Pilots

About Charleston Harbor

Charleston Harbor serves as the centerpiece of the Lowcountry’s beauty, and an economic engine for the State of South Carolina. Our pilots handle vessels calling on 19 ports and facilities. Home to the as the eighth largest container trade in the country, the State Ports Authority terminals generate more than 250,000 jobs and $45 billion in economic activity each year.

Our maritime traditions

Dating back as far as the Bible, marine pilotage is one of the world’s oldest trades. Often referred to as “bar pilots,” these local experts use their detailed knowledge of waterways to safely navigate a visiting vessel over the sandbar offshore and to the dock. In the 1700’s and 1800’s, pilots in Charleston Harbor – much like those in the rest of the country and the world – were self-employed and competed against one another.

Dedicated to safety, environment

The Charleston Branch Harbor Pilots’ Association is dedicated to maintaining safety and preserving the environment. Safety Pilots must navigate vessels in a myriad of conditions: strong winds, precipitation, thunderstorms, fog, shoaling and more.

About us

Harbor pilots serve the State of South Carolina to prevent marine incidents that would result in harm to the environment, the public, and mariners; and to maintain a smooth and efficient flow of maritime commerce. Further, The Charleston Navigation Company, owned by the Pilots, provides technical and administrative services such as boat operations and radio […]

Our services

As a full service pilot organization, Charleston Branch Pilots provide pilotage services to vessels engaged in domestic and foreign trade. All members are both state and federally licensed for unlimited tonnage throughout the Port of Charleston. State law requires a pilot on all foreign registered vessels, and U.S.-registered vessels engaged in international trade and with […]

24/7 dispatching

Located at the mouth of the harbor, the pilot office is fully equipped for around-the-clock vessel operations. State law requires at least three hours notice but 12-24 hours notice is typical. A dispatcher is available 24 hours a day to receive orders and arrange pilotage for vessels arriving and leaving the port. Outfitted with a […]

: Cotton waiting to be loaded at Adgers Wharf, Late 1800’s.

: A view from High Battery of the extensive visiting sailing vessels, late 1800’s.

: Pilot schooner working the bar, 1920.

: Artistic rendering of pilot schooner HENRY P. WILLIAMS

: Pilots awaiting incoming vessels at the Charleston Pilot Office in 1915.

: Captain J. Jervey Lockwood aboard the original CHARLESTON PILOT, 1960

: Association President F. Sherrill Poulnot (left) aboard the original CHARLESTON PILOT in June of 1960.

: Nuclear ballistic submarine being piloted into Charleston, 1964.

: Wheelhouse of the original CHARLESTON PILOT, 1960’s.

: View of the pilot boat fleet at Adger’s Wharf, 1970.

: Aerial view of Charleston peninsula, with harbor pilot dock seen in bottom left. 1970’s.

: Charleston pilot boat SIS II, the first aluminum shuttle boat. Built in 1972 in Louisiana.

: Inbound tanker coming into Charleston Harbor, 1972.

: CHARLESTON PILOT II outbound with the Sullivan’s Island light in the background. 1979.

: An LNG sphere, manufactured at General Dynamics up the Cooper River, passes under the Grace bridges en route to Connecticut in 1980.

: Looking south at a banana ship at anchor from the old pilot dock at Adger’s Wharf.

: A pilot’s view from container ship as headed into the old Grace Memorial Bridge over the Cooper River.

: A view of the original CHARLESTON PILOT II, steel hulled boat, in 1980.

: Christening of the 55-foot pilot boat CAROLINA by pilot E. Randall Swan, Jr. and Petesy Hollings, wife of Senator Fritz Hollings. 1980.

: Charleston pilot boarding a break-bulk ship.

: Russian Spy Ship offshore of Charleston, which was always present when a nuclear submarine moved. 1981.

: The Pilot’s office in 1985, on the same footprint on Adger’s Wharf as today’s facility.

: A view of the Morris Island Lighthouse from the jetties.

: 1985 Merit Cigarette print advertisement shot on a Charleston pilot boat, with apprentice pilot Patrick Kennedy as deckhand.

: Two Charleston Pilots aboard container ship model at shiphandling school in South Hampton, England, 1990.

: Modern aluminum hulled SIS IV, built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilders in Massachusetts.

Sunrise aboard the Ft. Sumter

This time lapse was filmed at sunset aboard the Charleston pilot boat Ft. Sumter in December 2013. It compresses an hour and 50 minutes of still photos shot during a trip offshore to retrieve two pilots disembarking ships near boarding station Bravo. Thanks to boat operator David Ernst for the great footage!

Charleston Harbor Pilots

About Charleston Harbor

Our maritime traditions

Our services

As a full service pilot organization, Charleston Branch Pilots provide pilotage services to vessels engaged in domestic and foreign trade. All members are both state and federally licensed for unlimited tonnage throughout the Port of Charleston.

Dedicated to safety, environment

The Charleston Branch Harbor Pilots’ Association is dedicated to maintaining safety and preserving the environment. Safety Pilots must navigate vessels in a myriad of conditions: strong winds, precipitation, thunderstorms, fog, shoaling and more.

How to order a pilot

Pilots can be ordered directly by the vessel or by its designated agent. Three hours advanced notice is required. Pilots can be ordered preliminarily by VHF radio or by telephone, but the final order must be in writing, and submitted via fax or email.

About us

Our services

24/7 dispatching

Photo History of Charleston Pilots

Time Lapse Video: Sunrise aboard the Ft. Sumter

Sunrise aboard the Ft. Sumter

Post-Panamax Under the Ravenel Bridge

Fog Bank

Time Lapse Video: Two Ships in Port

Time-lapse of Simultaneous 8,000-TEU Ships in Port of Charleston