One kind of exemption from the compulsory use of pilot
in Swedish waters is called temporary pilot exemption.
The Swedish Transport Agency establishes regulations on pilotage
in Swedish territorial waters. As a general principle, the use of
pilot is compulsory in Swedish internal waters (landward of the
baseline) based on the dimensions of the vessel and the cargo it is
carrying. Valid regulations are found in The Swedish Transport
Agency’s Regulations and General Advice (TSFS 2009:123) on
Pilotage.
The regulations stipulate the possibility to obtain exemptions
from the compulsory use of pilot. One kind of exemption is called
temporary pilot exemption. This exemption is issued to the master
of a vessel and is valid at one specific occasion.
Applications for temporary exemptions shall be sent to the Ship
Traffic Section of the Swedish Transport Agency. The master in
person shall apply for a temporary exemption but may use a ship
agent as his or her representative. At present, applications for
temporary pilot exemptions are handled by the Ship Traffic Section
during regular office hours. Applications for temporary pilot
exemptions should be made as early as possible before their
intended use.
Applications for temporary pilot exemptions should be made by
filling in the application form (the pdf file on the right of this
webpage). If the application is made in another format the
following information should be given:
- Name of the master who applies for the exemption
- Copy of the applicant’s nautical certificate
- Ship particulars such as length, width and call sign
- Actual draft
- Cargo onboard
- Area, port or berth where the exemption is to be valid
- Point of time when the exemption is to be used
- The applicant’s previous experience of the area where the
exemption is to be used
Other relevant information may be attached.
The Ship Traffic Section evaluates the application from a safety
point of view. Consultation in the matter can be made with the
concerned Traffic Area of the Swedish Maritime Administration.
Shortage of available pilots is, however, not a ground to grant an
exemption. Neither is a temporary exemption to be considered a
replacement of a fairway specific exemption. In most cases, a
temporary exemption is granted for shorter shiftings along a berth
or between berths in a port. A temporary exemption can be issued
with special conditions.
The decision regarding an exemption is sent to the applicant or,
if relevant, to the applicant’s representative. The
representative has to make sure that the applicant receives the
exemption and accepts the conditions for its use.
Contact
Applications for temporary Pilot Exemption Certificates are to
be sent to:
Swedish Transport Agency
Maritime Department
PO Box 653
SE-601 15 Norrköping
Matters concerning temporary Pilot Exemption Certificates are
handled at:
Swedish Transport Agency
Ship Traffic Section
Telephone no: +46 771 503 503
Fax: +46 11 19 12 30
E-mail: sjofart@transportstyrelsen.se