4. Pilotage policy

The Pilotage Service depends on the National Maritime Authority, as established in the Navigation Law of the Republic of Chile of 21 May 1978. 

Pilotage is compulsory for navigation in inland waters between the Chacao Channel and Cape Horn. Channel Pilots will normally be transfered at the Pilot Stations mentioned below. However, Maritime Agencies may request embarkation or disembarkation at any of the ports north of the Chacao Channel. Pilot assistance can also be requested for Antarctic navigation. 

Maritime Agencies must send the pilotage request to the Pilotage Service office in Valparaiso (See paragraph 9.- letter h. - ADDRESS IN VALPARAISO - CHILE), at least 48 hours in advance for ships departing from the Valparaiso Region or the port of Los Vilos, and not less than 72 hours in advance for vessels departing from other transfer stations and ports outside the Valparaiso Region or from abroad. Longer notice should be considered when dealing with ports with low frequency of land or air transportation for the arrival of pilots to the embarkation point. Two Channel Pilots shall provide such assistance. The arrival time (ETA) at the Pilot Station must be updated daily to avoid extra expenses or delays. 

Channel Pilots are retired Chilean Navy and Merchant Marine officers, with experience commanding vessels. On board, they equal the Master, therefore must be provided with individual cabins with bathroom in the officers' quarters and have free access to the corresponding recreational areas. They must have all the resources necessary for their work on board, especially those related to official communications, which shall be free of charge for pilots. 

To enter the straits and channels within the Compulsory Pilotage Area, Channel Pilots shall normally begin their pilotage assistance duties 1 hour before and at a distance that provides safety to the vessel when navigating inland waters. In the same way, assistance will cease when leaving inland waters (open sea), at a safe distance and time that ensures the vessel is no longer in channels. 

When navigating inland waters, channels, straits and fjords, Channel Pilots have 5-hour watches (except from 08:00 to 12:00). 

To complement this, see Admiralty List of Radio Signals; Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services and Port Operations; NP 286 (7), Vol. 6, 1st. Edition, 2020 (2), Pages "CHILE" (85 to 120).