At the entrance of the mighty Columbia River is one of the most dangerous and challenging river bars in the world. The pilots are the people who assist ships from all over the world safely cross this hazardous bar.

The Columbia River Bar Pilots are a group of 15 pilots who provide service for vessels in the lower Columbia River. This includes a variety of vessel sizes, from 100-foot tugs through 1,100-foot tankers and various types, including bulk carriers, container ships, auto carriers, log ships and any other vessel requesting services.

Pilots board ships and assume the navigational conduct of the vessel using their experience and local knowledge to safely navigate the vessels in the restricted channels of the Columbia River and over the bar to and from sea.

The group’s goal is to provide uninterrupted service to ensure the safe and smooth flow of the river’s commerce, serving Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and the interior of the country. Customers are the major ship owners of the world whose vessels come to work cargo at Columbia River ports.

Today Oregon state law requires all ships in foreign trade to carry an Oregon state licensed bar pilot while crossing the 17-mile stretch of water.