All vessels 500 GT or over have compulsory pilotage. Pilotage exemptions are arranged through the Harbourmaster, Northland Regional Council and must meet the conditions set out in Navigation Safety Bylaws.

Pilotage and tug services to Northport cargo berths are arranged through Northport Limited. For NZRC jetty berths, they are ordered through the ship's agent after consultation with the refinery's marine operation.

The pilot boarding ground is approximately 2 miles south east of the Fairway Buoy and marked on charts NZ5219, NZ5214 and NZ521 in position 35° 54.9'S, 174°, 34.6'E. The pilotage from the boarding ground to Marsden Point is 7 nautical miles.

7.1 PILOT BOAT

The pilot boat's name is "Jack Guy" and can be contacted on VHF Channels 16 and 19. It is a rigid, inflatable boat with an aluminium hull and has twin propellers. Pilot boarding speed is about 7 knots and the pilot boards on the lee side of the ship.

7.2 PILOT LADDER

A regulation pilot ladder as prescribed in the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladder and Hoists) Regulations 1999 must be used for embarking and disembarking pilots. The ladder must be set 1 meter above the waterline and where the deck is 9m above the water, a ladder/accommodation gangway must be used and secured to the ship's side.