Boarding Information

The pilot boat Endeavour is an 15m long launch, orange in colour with a cruising speed of 19 knots and a maximum speed of 26 knots.

The pilot boat is fitted with a Class B AIS transponder.

The pilot boat leaves the Waikawa Bay berth around one hour before the prearranged boarding time. The pilot will be listening on Channels 19 and 16 VHF and looking for your ship on the radar and chartplotter AIS display.

Ships arriving at the Northern entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound normally board their pilot at position Alpha: 41° 04.62'S 174° 18.92'E. However in heavy weather pilots may arrange to board earlier at position Bravo: 41° 03.65'S 174° 19.85'E. If a safe boarding cannot be made at Bravo, the ship's arrival will be delayed until conditions improve. Ships should not proceed inside pilotage limits until they have received instructions from the pilot on VHF specifying which boarding position will be used.

Ships arriving at Tory Channel always board their pilot outside the entrance, usually at the charted position 41° 15.12'S 174° 22.69'E or sometimes in a more sheltered position specified by the pilot. The presence of frequent ferry traffic through Tory Channel entrance makes it very important that the ship follows the boarding instructions given by the pilot.