Welcome on the New Caledonian Marine Pilot's website.

Maritime pilotage is a public service delegated by the ‘State to the Trade of the Maritime Pilots of New Caledonia’ which is limited to the territorial seas by the decree N° 2002-827

Founded on the 16th of June 1866, what makes it an “Old Lady”, the Pilot station of New Caledonia is affiliated to the ‘French Federation of the Maritime Pilots’ (FFPM), based in Paris.

The maritime pilotage in New Caledonia is regulated by the order N° 10-2006/AM of the High commissioner of the Republic of New Caledonia.

Maritime pilotage rates in New Caledonia are fixed by the order N°2003-401/GNC of the Government of New Caledonia.

The compulsory pilotage area, one of the most considerable under French flag, covers the whole New Caledonian lagoon. One part of this lagoon has recently been classified as a UNESCO’s world heritage on the 7th of July 2008.
Extending over 1500 km, and representing a surface of 23000km2, the New Caledonian lagoon is classified as the second largest barrier reef of the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Recognized by the UNESCO, the area is divided up into six sites, representing 15000km2 over the 23000km2. These six marine areas represent the main variety of coral reefs and ecosystems associated to the French archipelago of New Caledonia.
The classification generates specific obligations from the State and New Caledonia.

So as to satisfy ship’s captains and all of concerned parties, a management quality system, in compliance with the ISO 9001-2000 standard, was set up by the FFPM since 1996, and is certified by the Lloyd Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).

The pilots assisting captains within territorial seas have major responsibilities to protect the people, the environment, and the goods in the territorial sea of New Caledonia.

• To ensure, on the approved roads and in ports (bearings) and natural harbours of New Caledonia, the driving behaviour and operation of ships liable to the obligation of piloting.
• To participate to the development of local regulations concerning the maritime navigation under the authority of the Action (share) of the offshore State.
• To participate in the definition of seaways approved in the lagoon, in narrow collaboration with the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Mission of the Pacific, (SHOM), and its antenna in New Caledonia, the Oceanographic Mission of the Pacific, (MOP.)
• They have the duty to inform any malpractices committed against the environment and/ or against any facilities relating to ports, of which they could be witnesses.
• They have the duty to inform any ships that do not meet the standards of the International agreements.
• They have the duty to inform any hazards that could possibly harm human offshore lives or hinder the sea navigation.
• They are the first to jump aboard on-coming ships from overseas, and have a particular responsibility as to inform local medical authorities of New Caledonia in order to prevent pandemics.
• They are sworn in to the Local Court of Nouméa.