Tees Bay Pilots provide pilotage services in the Ports of Tees & Hartlepool. 

Pilot services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Each Pilot is a qualified Master Mariner and undergoes extensive local training over a five year period to become a Senior First Class Pilot.

Authorised by PD Teesport for the Tees Bay and ports of the Tees and Hartlepool, the Tees Bay Pilots Ltd co-operative is responsible for the safe navigational conduct of all vessels under pilotage in the district.  

Our prime undertaking is local pilotage and ship handling, but also as a group we can offer expertise on wider maritime issues. 

Compulsory Pilotage

A brief overview of compulsory pilotage vessels is listed below. For the full Pilotage Direction please click here

Pilotage shall be compulsory for vessels when:

• the OAL exceeds 95m OR;
• the summer deadweight exceeds 4000 tonnes OR:
• the gross tonnage exceeds 4000 tonnes OR;
• the OAL exceeds 20m and the cargo(es) onboard are substances listed in the appropriate direction OR;
• the vessel is in excess of 50m OAL and requires the serives of a tug OR;
• the vessel is less than 50m OAL and requires the services of a tug, where a risk assessment carried out by the Harbour Master and Tees Bay Pilots so dictates.