Pilot exemption requirements for port limit tankers (SB Tanker) operating within port limits

• The master would be required to complete the Port Limit Tanker Master (PLTM) course instead of the PESV course.

• Masters of the port limit tankers must have brought the vessel into and out of Areas A and B on at least six occasions within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application for the exemption.
• Masters must attend and pass the Pilot Exemption Large Vessel Course or PE(LV), which is an assessment on a Full Mission Shiphandling Simulator to demonstrate capability in ascertaining position, ship handling (berthing/un-berthing) and in handling crisis situations.
• The master must have a valid Port Limit Tanker Master Course Certificate.
• For pilotage district Area D, exemption may be granted only up to SCAF Jetty provided the master has successfully completed the PE(LV) course for Area D.

• Masters must be holders of pilotage exemption certificates for port limit tankers above 2,000 GT and have continuously served on such tankers for the past two years.
• Masters of the port limit tankers must have brought the vessel into and out of Areas A and B on at least six occasions within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application for the exemption.
• Masters must attend and pass the PE(LV) course, which is an assessment on a Full MissionShiphandling Simulator to demonstrate capability in ascertaining position, ship handling (berthing/un-berthing) and in handling crisis situations;
• Masters must pass an oral assessment conducted by an officer of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Pilotage Exams and Licensing Section (PEL) section. The assessment will cover topics such as the characteristics of his vessel (turning circle, stoppingdistance, etc.), local currents, interaction with traffic, precautionary areas and prohibited areas of the port.
• For pilotage district Area D, exemption may be granted only up to SCAF Jetty provided the master has successfully completed the PE(LV) course for Area D.

Renewal of exemption

• The pilot exemption certificate is valid for (one year. Renewal will be subject to the conditions of renewal and the validity of the Port Limit Masters Tanker Certificate.
• The master must have brought the port limit tanker of above 5,000 GT into and out of Areas A and B on at least two occasions in the six months immediately preceding the date of the application for the renewal of exemption;

• The master must pass a one-time written examination consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions (passing score of 80%). The coverage of the exam is listed in the Syllabus for written examination (see below).
• The master must pass an assessment on a Full Mission Shiphandling Simulator to demonstrate capability in berthing, un-berthing and handling crisis situations. This assessment will be conducted annually prior to renewal of the pilotage exemption.
• The master must pass a one-time practical assessment conducted by an officer from the MPA’s PEL Section on an actual berthing manoeuvre alongside another ship at an anchorage and at a terminal berth.
• The master must pass an oral assessment conducted annually by an officer from the MPA’s PEL Section. The oral assessment will cover topics such as the characteristics of his vessel (turning circle, stopping distance, etc.), local currents and interaction with traffic, precautionary areas and prohibited areas of the port.
• Masters must be holders of pilotage exemption certificates for port limit tankers above 2,000 GT and have continuously served on such tankers for the past two years.
• Masters of the port limit tankers must have brought the vessel into and out of Areas A and B on at least six occasions within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application for the exemption. In the case of an application for the renewal of an exemption, the master must have brought the vessel into and out of the port on at least two occasions in the six months immediately preceding the date of the application for the renewal of the exemption. For Area D,the master must have brought the vessel into and out of the area under pilotage onat least 12 occasions within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application for the exemption. For subsequent renewals of the exemption for Area D, the master should have entered and left the area on at least four occasions within the three months immediately preceding the date of the application for the renewal of the exemption.
• The master must attend the Port Limit Tanker Master Course and hold a valid Port Limit TankerMaster Course Certificate on the Full Mission Shiphandling Simulator.
• After having obtained pilotage exemption certificates, masters should serve on bunker barges of above 7,000 GT for at least six months in the previous year, or such time as determined by the Port Master, before their certificates can be renewed.
• For pilotage district Area D, exemption may be granted only up to SCAF Jetty and is subjected to the approval of the MPA.

Renewal of exemption

• The pilot exemption certificate is valid for one year. Renewal will be subject to the conditions of renewal and the validity of the Port Limit Masters Tanker Certificate.
• The master must have brought the port limit tanker of above 7,000 GT into and out of Areas A and B on at least two occasions in the six months immediately preceding the date of the application for the renewal of exemption. For the subsequent renewal of the exemption for Area D, the master must have entered and left the area on at least four occasions within the three months immediately preceding the date of the application for the renewal of the exemption.
• The master must pass an assessment on a Full Mission Shiphandling Simulator to demonstrate capability in berthing, un-berthing and handling crisis situations. This assessment will be conducted annually prior to renewal of the pilotage exemption.
• The master must pass an oral assessment conducted annually by an officer from the MPA’s PEL Section. The oral assessment will cover topics such as the characteristics of his vessel(turning circle, stopping distance, etc.), local currents and interaction with traffic, precautionary areas and prohibited areas of the port.
• After having obtained pilotage exemption certificates, masters should serve on bunker barges of above 7,000 GT for at least six months in the previous year, or such time as determined by the Port Master, before their certificates can be renewed.